Jamie L Miller (Purser)

Jamie died peacefully from complications of a rare form of stomach cancer on December 7th 2020. She died peacefully at her home in East Richmond Heights with family in attendance. She has received love and support from a large group of family and friends during the past seven-year battle with cancer.

Jamie was born on August 31, 1950 in Kansas City, Kansas to James and Neva Sue Miller. She was raised in Leawood, KS and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University, and later received her Master’s degree in Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta.

She spent her entire 37-year professional career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Public Health Advisor and one of the first women to be hired and work in that position. She was assigned to local and state health departments in many locations prior to being promoted to a position at the California Department of Public Health in 1988 where she worked until her retirement.

Jamie and her husband traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. In 2012 Jamie realized a lifelong ambition by traveling to Kenya and Tanzania for the great migration. Jamie was predeceased by her parents and older sisters Barbara Duel and Saundra Miller. She is survived by her husband Stephen Purser and brother Gary Miller (Evelyn). She is also survived by nieces Emilee Appel (Martin), Jennifer Marlette (Ronald), Debbie Price (David), and Nicole O’Hara (Daniel). She is also survived by Nephews Bradley Wood (Chelsey), Bradley Hanks (Maria) and David Purser. She was a great Aunt to many, and a great-great Aunt to even more. Jamie was involved with many community groups and organizations. She served on the Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice Commission for over 15 years, twice serving as co-chair. She volunteered as a Writers Coach at Richmond High School for the WriterCoach Connection. During the past few years she volunteered as a docent at the Rosie the Riveter National Park, and as its annual dinner co-chair she served on the Development committee for the Rosie the Riveter National Trust.

A graveside service and celebration of life will be held on Friday October 15, 2021. For additional information please email slpurser@msn.com

The family requests that those interested in honoring Jamie make contributions to Rosie the Riveter Trust, PO Box 71126, Richmond, Ca 94807-1126.