Mildred Pearl Byrd Miller was born September 10, 1929, at her grandparents' home (Orlando and Susan Mullican) in Florence, Mississippi (Rankin County), the oldest of ten children born to Modena Pearl Mullican Byrd and John Morris Byrd.
She died peacefully at her home Saturday afternoon, November 24, 2018, surrounded by daughters Cindy Simpson and Dianne Omar, and sons-in law Melvin ("Manny") Simpson, and Weiss Omar. She was predeceased by her husband, Wallace Dale Miller, and their youngest daughter, Rebecca Dale Miller. She was visited by her granddaughter, Courtney Wilson of Madison, WI, and her surviving siblings, Sammy Byrd, Faye Mahaffey, Marilyn Parish, and Cheryl Meadows. She was predeceased by her parents, and siblings Richard Edgar, John Robert, William Morris, Marshall Byrd, and Barbara Josephine Byrd Bishop, and son-in-law, Denver Wilson, Sr.
Mildred grew up in Florence and graduated from Florence High School in 1947. She loved to play basketball and was a member of the FHS team. After marrying, she devoted herself to being a wife and homemaker. She and her husband were committed family people. Both came from large families and were well loved and gave much love in return. She was close to her Miller in-laws and their families, just as she was to her own. There were many happy times with family and friends as she took joy in bringing up her three daughters. She learned to sew and made many of their clothes, she was a homeroom mother. Having learned about God and Jesus in her childhood, she followed her husband's lead as they dedicated themselves to a life of greater service as followers of the Lord Jesus. Mildred always put her companion first and supported him in every way she could, especially in his ministry. After living all their life in Mississippi they spent most of their retirement years in the Independence, Missouri area as opportunity to participate more fully in church work and fellowship opened up to them. She taught Sunday school, volunteered as cook staff member at youth camps, and was active in the church women's department. For Mildred's children and granddaughter... she would do anything, and did!
From her childhood Mildred was always a lady. She had a sweet disposition and good sense of humor, was warm, friendly, caring and compassionate. She remembered birthdays, enjoyed being with friends and cooking meals for them. She was known for her hospitality. Mildred and her husband and family experienced a time of great sadness when their youngest daughter died at the age of ten.. But with God's help Mildred and Dale endured in faith to the end of their life together, the year of their 72nd wedding anniversary, 2018. They had moved back to Mississippi in 2014 where they built a home near the "Old Orlando Mullican Homeplace," of her grandparents, right back where she had grown up. They both experienced declining health in their last year of life and were unable to be active as they both had been for so many years. Now at peace, they have gone back to The Lord. Mildred will be greatly missed by the many people who knew and loved her.
