Obituary

Makayla Lynn Miller

February 6, 2001-March 29, 2020

Makayla Lynn Miller passed away from a 4-wheeler accident in Tyler, Texas, March 29, 2020.

Makayla was born in Richland, Wash., to Jason Miller and Tracie Ann (Lawrence) Shawley on February 6, 2001. In 2002 she moved to Pomeroy, Wash.

Makayla was active in many activities from dance lessons, swim team, cheer camps and 4-H growing up. She was in FBLA, competing in many events, and was a participating FFA member where she showed animals throughout junior high and high school. She competed in Cross Country and went to state her eighth, ninth and tenth-grade years, receiving All-League all three years. She placed fifth in state track in the 3,200 m. run, and played volleyball her senior year where the team placed third at state.

She was very competitive, from showing animals, playing sports, competing in rodeo and even family game nights.

Makayla loved rodeo. She competed in the Central Idaho Rodeo Association, Cayuse Jr. Rodeo Association in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping and goat tying, which was her favorite. Makayla was princess for the 2018 Pro Rodeo Lewiston Roundup Association. She enjoyed traveling to all the different rodeos, meeting many people whose friendship and memories she cherished. The bust-out wall runs were her favorite where she could ride as close to the rail as she could get.

She volunteered many times for the Rascal Rodeo, which is a special needs rodeo, that was dear to her heart. She loved cheering on those kids and seeing their big smiles. With the love of rodeo came her love of western fashion. She was so excited to put together outfits, talk with boutique owners, and help anyone get a look, just for them.

Makayla wasn't one to back down from hard work. At an early age she helped on the farm and worked harvest in the summer. During the school year, she worked at Twisted Wire coffee shop as a barista up until she graduated High School. She had worked at Beans & Franks Coffee Shop as a barista and at Paisley Reese Boutique. She had a smile that could light up a room and make everyone feel welcomed.

She accepted a position in Chelan, Wash., with the United States Forest Service as a wildland firefighter. She pushed herself to make their manifest team and went on her first fire in the Alaska fire of 2019. When she came back from her fire assignment, she and her coworkers went skydiving. She was hooked and went on to do two more jumps later on.

Makayla graduated Salutatorian from Pomeroy High School in 2019. She went to Washington State University and joined Delta Gamma sorority. After finishing her first semester, she decided to take a break from school and moved to Stephenville, Tex. Makayla quickly made many friends, leaving a lasting impression. She was a Texan through and through even for a short time. Texas was where she belonged. It was her plan to go back to Chelan, Wash., this summer to fight fire, then return to Texas in the late fall.

She was proceeded in death by her grandparents Betty and Gary Lawrence, Gary Miller, Clyde Miller and Jim Shawley.

She is survived by her mother Tracie (Derek) Shawley, father Jason (Kathy)Miller, brother Kyle (Sadie) Miller, sister Kelsi Miller, sister Cheyenne (Clayton) King, brother Tyler Fishback, brother Lane Shawley, numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins.

While her time with us was short, her impact was large. Don't wait on adventures, take the chances and live with no regrets. Makayla, you will always be in our hearts, forever missed, and never forgotten.

A celebration of life will be held in Pomeroy, Wash., at a later date.

Donations can be made in honor of Makayla Miller to Rascal Rodeo–a special needs rodeo–and mailed to PO Box 811, Pomeroy, WA 99347, and also the Makayla Miller Memorial Fund–a scholarship fund–PO Box 910, Connell, WA 99326.