Goofy, big-hearted, sensitive, poetic, true friend
Rhett was a goofball, with a bright smile and an infectious laugh. He especially loved to tease his older sister, Amanda, and younger sister, Jaleigh. He got a kick out of riling them up, only to break character with a grin, chuckle, and embrace, reassuring them it was all a joke.
His fun-loving personality and knack for getting anyone laughing meant making new friends was second nature. Rhett made them so easy that befriending someone new during their family vacations was inevitable. One such instance even took him on a deep-sea fishing adventure in Jamaica with his new pal and their family. Rhett deeply valued his friendships. The bonds he made felt familial, and his love for his family was immense.
Rhett cherished time with his family, and most of their traditions revolved around Sundays at Oklahoma’s automobile racetracks. His mother, Shelli, took his two sisters, and youngest brother, Ryker, to the tracks so frequently that they practically grew up there. To no one’s surprise, racing became Rhett’s biggest passion. He learned to be a skilled driver and dreamed of having a family of his own one day and continuing racing. Had his circumstances been different, Rhett might have become a professional driver, happily living a simple life.
When he was young, Rhett enjoyed playing with his siblings outside, watching movies, and listening to music. He had a special connection to music and often made up his own lyrics, which were sometimes part of the tricks he played on his sisters. He would follow them around the house, rapping at them just to push their buttons. Rhett’s affinity for lyrics transformed from a means to tease his siblings into a form of artistic self-expression. He became a prolific writer and could always be found scribbling away in his notebook, creating poetry or verses for rap songs.
After he passed, Rhett’s family found his journals filled with poetry and lyrics, along with letters to his loved ones. His letters contained apologies for the things he did during active addiction.
Rhett had a lasting influence on his family, both during his life and after his passing. He distanced himself because he did not want them to see the effects of his active addiction. Although his separating himself made it difficult for them to understand his situation, his family did their best to support him. Their experiences with Rhett allowed them to see people suffering with substance use disorder with kinder eyes than ever.
Today, Shelli, Ryker, and Amanda honor Rhett by volunteering at the shelter where he received aid, and he continues influencing his family in ways they are still discovering.
Rhett’s sister, Amanda Miller, provided the information for this narrative.
April 16,1991–June 24, 2017-Age 26
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
