"Eliza Ann Rose Miller" (1869-1938)

In 1887,she married Abraham H.Miller of Helena and the couple had three children who lived to adulthood.The Millers acquired vast amounts of property in Philips County and Mrs.managed many of the family's business affairs.Her husband credited the increase in rent collections and the acquisition of additional real estate,as well as the overall prosperity of the business to Mr.Miller's business savy.In additional to working as a collector supervisor secretary and bookkeeper,Eliza served along with Abraham,as trustee to Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.She continued to support the school even after Abraham's death in 1913,making significant financial contributions that enabled students to attend college who,otherwise,could not have afforded the tuition.Eliza also provided financial support to several civic and religious organizations.Afte purchasing land from the Sacred Heart Academy Sisters.Mrs.Miller donated it to the Helena school board,so that a high school for African American students could be built.The school,dedicated in 1926,was named Eliza Miller High.In 1970,the school was renamed Eliza Miller Junior High and was subsequently replaced by a park in 1978 which was dedicated to Mrs.Miller.She was the first woman in Arkansas to build and operate a motion picture theatre.The Plaza Movie Theatre was the only African-American owned theater in Helena.She managed it until her death.