Mary Miller

Isaac Anderson and Sefronia Harriet Higgins Anderson affectionately called their third of five children Mae, who was born on November 13, 1937, in Mashulaville (Noxubee County) Mississippi. She grew up in church, faithfully attending and participating in all means of grace at both Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church where her father held membership and at Little Member Missionary Baptist Church where her mother was a member.
She received her elementary and secondary education in the Noxubee County public schools, graduating in 1956 from Macon Colored High School in Macon, Mississippi. She continued her education at Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi and received an associate degree. She furthered her education at Jackson State College, now Jackson State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She later earned a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan and received an Education Administration Certification at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Mary began her career as an educator in 1960 at Choctaw County High school where she taught first and fourth grades until 1963. In 1963 she moved to Flint Michigan, where she worked as a classroom teacher in the Flint Community School System. In 1968, she and her husband relocated to Dayton, Ohio where she continued to flourish in her chosen profession. After a short while they returned Flint, and her career did not miss a beat. In 1979 she returned to Mississippi and for the next few years held teaching positions at Nanih Waiya High School in (Winston county) Mississippi where she taught first, fourth and fifth grades; as well as Durant (Holmes county) Mississippi at Durant Municipal Separate School District teaching seventh and eighth grade reading and math. In 1985 she moved back to Flint, Michigan returning to the Flint Community School District where she was employed as Community School Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal until she retired in 2001.
She met the love of her life when she was thirteen years old at Little Member Missionary Baptist Church, where eleven years later they were united in Holy Matrimony. Over time they were blessed with daughters and sons which added new and lasting adventures to her life. She proclaimed often that family is truly what makes life interesting and satisfying. Her favorite memories were when she was growing up and her family would go from house to house visiting neighbors and playing games;  her dad reading to all the children on rainy days; and playing softball at recess at Henderson Elementary School (really ragball – they decided each day if they tore the ball up who would be responsible for making the ball and bringing it the next day).
She remained in constant contact with old friends, high school and college classmates. In order to stay vibrant she was an active member of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority Incorporated, and continued with her hobbies of sewing, gardening, interior design, as well as being an extra in movies. No stranger to traveling, she enjoyed visiting new places and having novel experiences. Her last excursion was traveling along the eastern seaboard with her family.
She was a dedicated and committed Christian, working in the church with children and youth organizing choirs and dramatic presentations, as well as prayer and service groups. Serving God, by serving others was one of the primary ways she found satisfaction and fulfillment in life. She served as a volunteer coordinator with the American Red Cross, and was diligent in her endeavors at the Birmingham Veterans Administration Hospital and throughout Jefferson county.
“If I can help somebody, as I pass along…” was her life’s motto. Her policy and practice was having an open heart and open door. Meditation and prayer brought her peace and tranquility.
Her favorite and foundational scripture verse was “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Rev. Sylvester Miller III of Bessemer, Alabama; three daughters, Dr. Cecilia and James Sims of Flint, Michigan, Rev. Dr. ChaKaHier and Ronald Oliver of Bessemer, Alabama, and Tamra and GranVille Caldwell of Doha, Qatar; one sister, Mable Wesley of Sanford, Florida; as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Her parents, two brothers William Anderson and Garland Anderson, one sister Catherine Anderson, and two sons Cornelius A. Miller and Corey A. Miller preceded her in death.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff of the Multiple Myeloma Cancer Institute at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Words cannot express our loss. We are broken by the passing of our wife, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, loved one and friend. Please understand if you are unable to contact us directly at this time. Feel free to call and leave a message, inbox, or send condolences to Pastor Sylvester Miller III, 601 Melody Lane, Bessemer, Alabama 35020