Pherris N. Miller

Pherris was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 14, 1941, a Valentine’s baby, to Margie and Russell Nichols. She moved around as a young child, finally settling in the east end of Houston for elementary and middle school, and then moving to Pasadena, Texas for high school.

While attending Edison Junior High, Pherris met the love of her life, Ronnie Miller. His family moved to Pasadena shortly after hers and they both attended and graduated from Pasadena High School. Pherris and Ronnie were married in 1966 and began building a life together in Pasadena where they were blessed with the adoption of their daughter Crissy.

Pherris began her career as an executive secretary at the University of Houston. She went on to work for Pasadena ISD for many years as an administrative assistant. She met and made many friends along the way and loved hosting dinners and parties at her home that were full of happiness and laughter. She retired in 2001.

Pherris was an avid painter as anyone who walked into her home would quickly realize. She painted pictures of ships, sunsets, and animals but most enjoyed painting landscapes with colorful flowers. She loved to cook and spoiled everyone with wonderful meals. Her goal was that no one would leave her house hungry, and she accomplished this time and time again. Pherris is most known for her famous fruit salad, gumbo, and cornbread dressing. She was also one of the biggest fans of University of Houston football and basketball and rarely missed a game.

We could not have asked for a better Wife, Mom, MiL, Momo, and Aunt Tuddy, and we will miss her every single day. She will be remembered for her big personality, compassion, infectious laugh, and her awesome cooking. She loved spending time with her granddaughters; baking, shopping, and watching movies. She taught us to make sure those around us knew how much we loved them. She made sure we all knew how much she loved us every day. Our world is dimmer without her, but we will always carry her love in our hearts.

Pherris is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, James Ronald (Ron) Miller, daughter Christine (Crissy) Wabnitz and husband Frank, granddaughters Isabel and Natascha Wabnitz, niece Deborah Saulsberry, great nieces Lara Bunn (Matt) and Courtney Gunn (Cliff), 5 great nieces and nephews, cousins, and really good friends.

The family is thankful for caregivers Dayja Peacock, Karen Williams, Rosalinda Cruz, and Juney Smith Doyley for the care, love and compassion they showed Pherris in her final year of life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Pherris Miller to her favorite charity, DePelchin Children’s Center – Houston Texas, the place where they adopted their daughter Crissy, or a charity of your choice.