Elva La Fairse " Fairy " Miller

Funeral services for Elva Miller, 94, of Lufkin, will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 2:00 in the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park with Jim Riggs officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Elva La Fairse “Fairy” Miller was born in Angelina County, Texas on October 26, 1922, to Thomas Jefferson Pittmon and Jessie Mae Frost Pittmon. She passed peacefully away at age 94 on Saturday, July 8, 2017. She was married to Everett Taylor Miller until his death in 1983 and has lived in Lufkin for almost all her life.

Mrs. Miller had a unique life; she had two mothers. In 1930, her father passed away suddenly leaving his widow with the impossible task of caring for eleven children. Friends and neighbors pitched in to help widowed, Jessie care for her children. Fairy was only eight years old at that time and became very close to neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Hill. She was a daily visitor and soon started staying with the Hills. When the Hills had to move, it was decided Fairy would move with them. Falous and Myrtle Hill then asked to legally adopt Fairy Pittmon. Elva La Fairse (Fairy) Pittmon became known as Fairy Hill.

Fairy moved to Woodville, Texas after the adoption. She graduated from Woodville High School in 1940. Later that year, she met an outgoing young man, Everett Taylor Miller. With the onset of World War II, Taylor was drafted into the army. Fairy and Taylor were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hill on December 31, 1941. They made their home in New Jersey where Taylor was stationed at Camp Kilmer. When Taylor was sent to serve in the China, Burma, India Theater during the war, Fairy moved back to Woodville to live with her parents. When the war ended, Taylor and Fairy made Lufkin their home.

Mrs. Miller was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Lufkin. She was a member of CWF groups and enjoyed traveling with the church. Fairy enjoyed game day, the quilting group and gathering with her friends. She was a licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist. Mrs. Miller also served as a receptionist at her husband’s EXXON distributorship. She also assisted her daughter, Marianne, at her gymnastics school. In addition, she loved to draw, watercolor, sew, crochet, collect thimbles and travel. She was an excellent gardener and whatever she touched or transplanted grew. She was a kind, gentle soul and never had a harsh word to say about anyone or anything. She lived her life as a Christian should - doing for others, serving the church as long as her health allowed and taking care of family.

Survivors include her daughters: Janet and husband Buddy Bates, Karen and husband Rick Neuman, and Marianne Miller. Sons: Kelly Miller, Patrick and wife, Nikki Miller. Grandchildren: Angela Bates Branzei and husband Nick, Lauri Bates Breeding and husband Jeff, Barrett Bates and wife Lindsey, Shana Kay Robbins and husband Eric, Rhiannon Miller, Taryn Miller, Rett Miller, Blair Miller, Blaze Miller and wife Cassidy, Cole Miller, and Conner Miller. Great-grandchildren: Izabella Branzei, Payton, Sara Beth, Samantha and Ashley Breeding, Addison and Ava Bates, Briley Mann, Curtis Caddo Miller. Sister: Stella Pittmon Standley. Sister-in-law: Jean Miller and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also blessed to have a great caretaker and friend for three years, Ms. Prince Ward who sat with her daily, took walks and learned life stories with her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Taylor Miller Sr., son, Everett Taylor Miller Jr.; infant daughter, Roseann Lee Miller; brothers, Wayne, Hubert, Leon, Virgil, and Odell Pittmon; and sisters, Eunice, Tressie, Bertie, and Dorothy.

Pallbearers will be Barrett Bates, Blaze Miller, Rett Miller, Cole Miller, Conner Miller and Eric Robbins.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kyle Krohn for years of excellent care for their mother, the staff at Pinecrest Lottie Temple home and Hospice in the Pines for the excellent care received in past months.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) 1300 1st St. Lufkin, TX, 75901; or Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Ave., Lufkin, TX, 75904.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.