Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Miller

Mary Elizabeth Miller, nee Lowther, wife of Col. James M. Miller USAF (Ret) passed away on 30 July 2010 after a short illness. She was born in Laurel, MS., on 22 January 1927, only child of William Lowther and Lisobel Oden Lowther. She attended All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, MS., for her junior year of high school. After graduating from Laurel High she returned to Vicksburg for college. She moved to Washington, DC working for UNRRA (United Nation Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) when she met her future husband. They were married on 13 April 1947 in the Washington Cathedral. When she left UNRRA prior to her marriage, the director of UNRRA, N.Y. Mayor La Guardia presented her a letter thanking her for her support. Never happier than when helping family, friends, acquaintance or someone in need, she volunteered as a Red Cross worker, serving in clinics and hospitals overseas or at bases in the United States. A son, James, Jr., was born in 1948, a daughter, Cynthia, was born in 1951. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her concern for her fellowman was never off her mind, so, she continued as a Red Cross volunteer whenever possible. In 1957 she received a letter from the chief nurse of the US Navy thanking her for her work in establishing a clinic in Taipei, Formosa. She will be missed. Living in Satellite Beach, the mountains of North Carolina and back to Florida in 2001, she always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Besides her husband, survivors include her son, James, Jr. (Sandra); her daughter, Cynthia Plaia (Robert); five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two cousins Sarah "Boots" Holyfield (Robert L.) and T.J. Oden (Ejia). Beach Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.