For I know my plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
“Mr. Brownwood”
Draco Raul Miller, 60 years old of Brownwood, Texas, passed away on February 16, 2023, at home surrounded by family. At an early age, Draco gave his life to Christ at Little Zion Baptist Church and rededicated his life to Christ in his adult years.
The Wake will be held at Greater Faith Community Church Friday, March 3, 2023, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral services will be held at the Brownwood Coliseum on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm with a public viewing between the hours of 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
Pastor Eric L. Jordan of Breath of Praise will be the officiant. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery under the direction of Brownwood Funeral Home, 2512 Belle Plain St., Brownwood, TX 76801
Draco Raul Miller was born July 31, 1962, in Brownwood, Texas, the parentage of Jodie Miller and Vivian Doris Powell. He was educated in the Brownwood school system in Brownwood, Texas, where he was a standout basketball player. Draco graduated in 1980 from Brownwood High School. While attending Brownwood High School, he met the love of his life Sonja Marie Webb and the two would go on to marry and start a life and family together.
Draco was raised to believe in three things: Faith, Family and a Strong work ethic. Faith was the center of his life from a young child. As he would say, “I talk to Jesus Christ every day, we have great conversations.” As a young child, he grew up attending Little Zion Baptist church, as an adult he transitioned to Greater Faith Community Church and later in life; he became a member of Breath of Praise Church. Draco’s love for his family was endless. He was the Provider and Protector. Draco sacrificed every day to ensure his family was taken care of. He wanted to give his family the life he always dreamed of as a young boy. He taught his kids valuable life lessons, instilling in them the same values his mother instilled in him: Faith, Family and a Strong work ethic.
Draco first showed his penchant for hard work at age 11 when he began selling watermelon and cantaloupe for Mr. Clint Reese. Draco then moved up to lawn care for Mr. Reese and Mr. Lucious Thomas. At age 14 and continuing through age 18, Draco worked for Mr. Joe Harper at Harper’s food store. Upon high school graduation, Draco opted to enter the workforce immediately. Draco persuaded Mr. Cecil Houston at the Texas Youth Commission to give him part-time work on a trial basis, making Draco the youngest person ever hired at the time. Nine months later, Draco was hired full time as Youth Activity Staff I. Within five years, Draco had advanced to Youth Activity Staff III. Draco’s time at Texas Youth Commission totaled 10 years of uninterrupted service.
Draco worked at Kohler from 1990 to 1991 then went on to MHMR in 1991 as a Supported Employment Supervisor and an on-call Crisis Case Worker. Draco held those positions until 1999. This gave Draco a total of 18 years’ experience working with juvenile criminals as well as physically and mentally challenged adults.
But these employment positions did not fully satisfy Draco and his growing entrepreneurial spirit. In the mid-eighties, he combined his skills used at the Texas Youth Commission with his cousin, Charles Lowe, and formed the Stars of Youth Club for teenagers. During his time at MHMR, Draco also joined with his bothers Jodie and Lajon, to form J.D.&L. Enterprises. This company sprouted Stars II Night Club, White Glove Cleaning Service, Head-to-Toe Clothing Store, and Midas Touch Productions. Draco also began detailing cars on his own under the name of Special Touch Detailing, a business he always enjoyed.
In 1996, Draco decided to put his expertise in cleaning service to work in partnership with a co-worker at MHMR. After a few months of working together, a very successful business was developed and by the end of 1996, Reliable Janitorial and Floor Care Services and Brownwood Classic Car Wash were born. These businesses eventually expanded to provide services from Brownwood on to Early, Bangs, Ballinger, Comanche, Cross Plains and Stephenville. Draco also owned and operated Jus’ Wings on Austin Avenue. Draco’s spirit not only provided him with an outlet for his hard work and his desire to try new things, but also provided jobs for others. In 2007, Draco transitioned Reliable Janitorial to Draco’s Janitorial and Auto Detailing, Inc. which now holds cleaning contracts in Abilene, Bangs, Brownwood, Cisco, Comanche, and Early.
Being a business owner was not enough to contain Draco’s sense of community betterment and empowerment. After seeing a need for positive change in the community he loved. In 2001 Draco ran and won a seat on the Brownwood City Council, representing Ward 4. Shortly after being elected, he was nominated and voted in as the Cities Mayor Pro Tem, by his fellow council members. As a member of the city council for 13 years, Draco had a hand in several major projects, including complete renovation of Cecil Homan Park, the revitalization of the downtown area, creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Plaza, construction of the Bert V. Massey Sports Complex, and construction of the Camp Bowie Aquatics Center, to name a few.
Many believed Draco would now be satisfied and have more on his plate than he could handle. Just when they thought he was done, with the help of his brothers he founded “ROC” (Revitalizing Our Community) in 2012, this non-profit organization sought out to help the community prosper through cleaning up abandoned areas of Brownwood, hosting cultural events, and giving scholarships to underprivileged students in brown county. Because of his long-lasting efforts to improve his city, Draco was nicknamed, “Mr. Brownwood”.
While industriously working at all these business endeavors, Draco has always found time for volunteer and philanthropic work. He loved giving back to his community through service. One way Draco gave back was serving on various board and organizations including: the Board of Directors for MHMR, the Hendrick Medical Development board of directors, Brownwood Planning and Zoning Board, The Rufus F. Hardin Museum Inc board of directors, Howard Payne University fundraising board, the Ron Jackson Advisory Council, the Brownwood Housing Authority, Brown County Appraisal District Board, Brownwood Education Foundation, Center for Life Resources, and serving as a member of Kiwanis of Brownwood.
Draco not only gave of his time, he gave financially to ensure the youth and young teens were able to be successful. He supported high school and college athletic programs, high school band programs, youth sports, scholarship drives, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, golf tournaments, and organizations who served to better those in need.
Throughout his career, Draco was awarded many personal and business awards due to his service to the community. The one award he held above all others was winning the 2022 Man of the Year, given by the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, for his service to the city of Brownwood.
In the words of Draco Miller, “This is my city and I love my city, there’s no place like home!”
Draco was proceeded in death by his father Jodie Miller, mother Vivian D. Powell, stepfather Jessie Powell, stepbrother Dee Powell, and daughter Brianna Berniard.
Draco is survived by his wife Sonja Miller of 42 years, Children: Mirris Ray, Natosha Webb-Miller, Draco “Tony” Miller (DeJoundla), Tiffany Farr (Morris), Symone Miller, Siblings: Jodie Miller, LaJon Miller, Ilitha McMillon (Harold), Grandchildren: Nehemiah Ray, Lyric Ray, Londyn Ray, Mirris Ray Jr, Amari Starr, Ayden Hastings, Daija Miller, Dailyn Miller, Harper Farr, Hudson Farr, Brother’s in law, Titus Webb (Melissa), Reeco Person (Sharon), Michael Person (Yvonne),and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Pallbearers will be brothers: Jodie Miller, LaJon Miller, Harold McMillon, Michael Person, Reeco Person, Titus Webb and Oscar Webb.
Honorary Pallbearers are TC Parker, James Anderson, Kervin Anderson, Bali Marques, Tommy Adams, and Tim Whetstone.
Flowers can be sent to Brownwood Funeral Home, 2512 Belle Plain St., Brownwood, TX 76801 or the family home at 1305 16th Street Brownwood Tx, 76801, in the name of Draco Miller and Family.
Those interested, may donate to the ROC organization youth scholarship program. Donations can be sent to ROC, PO Box 871 Brownwood, Tx 76804.
The family of Draco Miller wish to extend a sincere thanks to all Doctors, Nurses, and Technicians from all Hendricks Medical Hospitals in Brownwood and Abilene, Nurse Kathy and Physical Therapist Russell of Home Heath, Solaris Palliative and Hospice nurses of Brownwood, and Dr. Gary Butka.
The family would also like to thank Pastor’s Jordan, Hayes, Lowe, Long, and Kirk for praying over him and all citizens, friends and love ones for their positive thoughts and prayers while our beloved was receiving care.