Goldia Mae Miller (nee Williams) passed away April 23, 2018, just 22 days before her 105th birthday. She was born May 15, 1913 in New Pennington to Jeff and Nora Gommel Williams. They preceded her in death along with her two sisters, Gladys Williams, Lois Doughty, three brothers, Bertice Williams, Dwight Williams and Denzil Williams, and a granddaughter, Donna Sue Miller. Her son, Lowell T. Miller of Hope passed away in 2012.
Mrs. Miller was a life-long resident of Decatur County with the exception of two years living in
Southeast Missouri. She was a 1931 graduate of New Point High School. Last year she attended her 86th high school reunion. Following high school graduation, she worked as a caretaker for several years in Indianapolis. She married Carl H. Miller on May 30, 1935 and they were married for 55 years before his death in 1990.
Mrs. Miller and her husband lived on a farm outside Greensburg which they farmed and raised a family of eight children. In addition to raising her family, she also worked for several years at Margaret Mary Hospital and at the New Point School. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Smyrna and during her lifetime was actively involved in various church activities, including the Willing Workers Women’s Group, teaching Sunday School, Bible School and serving on the church council. She was also part of a quilting group and through the years she made numerous quilts for her children, grandchildren, and to donate to charity.
She was an active member of her community making herself available to others in need. She took her responsibilities as a citizen seriously. At the time of her birth when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, women did not have the right to vote and she was proud to have voted in every local, state and federal election since 1934. Eighteen different U. S. Presidents served in her lifetime, many of them serving more than one term.
In 2000, Mrs. Miller established a scholarship fund in memory of her late husband and in partnership with the New Point Volunteer Fire Department. The scholarship provided money to high school seniors, based on their community service. Students from Greensburg High Schools, North and South Decatur High Schools, Batesville High School and Jac-Cen-Del High School have benefited from her generosity.
Mrs. Miller has resided at Crown Pointe Assisted Community since 2008. She made many new friends among the residents and staff and was grateful for the care she received. She had an active social life at Crown Pointe and enjoyed playing games, cards, and doing puzzles while visiting with the other residents.
Mrs. Miller is survived by seven of her eight children: Arlene Parker (Jack), James Miller (Harriett), Larry Miller (Sharon), Douglas Miller (Beth Ann), Susan Hahn (Dan), all of Greensburg; Dyar Miller (Bertha) of Indianapolis, and Margaret (Peggy) Weil (Joe) of Edgewood, KY. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Gilliland Howe Funeral Home on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Smyrna on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:30 am with visitation an hour prior to the service. Doug Brougher, Pastor Phil Kunder, and Pastor Jeff Miller will be officiating. Burial will be at the Smyrna Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Smyrna Lutheran Cemetery Fund or Our Hospice of Southeast Central Indiana. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com
