Fern Ruth Sims Miller

Fern Ruth Sims Miller, age 89, passed away Friday, June 15, 2012 at Westminster Health Care Center in Austin, TX. Fern was born on November 17, 1922 in Enid, OK, to parents Andrew Jackson Sims, and Maggie Cordelia McCreary Sims. She graduated at the top of her class at Business College and became the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Chickasha Cotton Oil Company and waited the return of her fiancé, Sid, from WW II, where he was a fighter pilot in the China-Burma-India Theater. They were married June 11, 1944 in Oklahoma City and began their life in the U.S. Air Force, stationed first in Oregon, and then, at March Field AAB, in Riverside, Calif., where their first child, Sandi, was born. They were deployed to Straubing AAB in Germany during the European Theater of Occupation and returned to California, where Sid continued as a fighter pilot, and shortly thereafter, Marjo was born. In 1950 they moved to Stillwater, OK where Sid finished his degree, and served as an Air ROTC instructor at Tinker AFB. While there, Michele was born. In 1953, Fern and Sid moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where Sid joined the Air Force Reserves, and began his career with Investors Diversified Services (now Ameriprise). Fern revived her business skills to help manage his office from home for 6 years, while managing three endless schedules of three busy daughters. The last move was to Austin in 1960 when Sid became the Divisional Sales Manager of IDS. They spent their last 50 years together in their home on Mt. Laurel Lane.

Fern loved music and had a beautiful voice. She spent her early days singing in barbershop quartets and continued singing hymns until her last days at Westminster. She passed on her love of music to her three daughters, and made sure they were all well trained with years of piano, voice, and dance lessons starting at the crack of dawn. Someone was always on the piano! How did they survive it? Fern, or "Mimi", as she was known by her four adoring grandchildren, was truly a life-force, inspiring, motivating, and caring for the needs of others. Fern was a tireless, dedicated mother and grandmother attending countless recitals and sporting events and sewing costumes for all. She also became an advocate, helping to raise money for charitable organizations. She was a leader and fundraiser for the March of Dimes and served as an officer of the Austin Symphony League. As the wife of the Divisional Sales Manager of IDS, for more than 25 years, she was a gifted hostess for the office events and dinner parties for the large sales force. Fern began playing golf in the early 1950's, and continued to play throughout her life at the Austin Country Club with her friends and with Sid. There was a lot of "Bridge" at ACC and the house. Fern and Sid traveled extensively, and especially loved places like Switzerland, France, England, and Scotland.

Sid and Fern were loyal active members of Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin and made life-long friends there. They both served as youth coordinators for many years and believed they helped keep many of the neighborhood kids away from the Holiday House, for awhile! Oh, if they only knew…..so much in so few blocks! It was a grand life!

Fern is survived by three daughters: Sandi Denenburg and husband Victor of Houston; Marjo Warren and husband John of Jupiter; FL, and Michele Ray of Austin; four grandchildren: Chelsea Denenburg of Houston, David Denenburg and wife Frani of Houston; Michael Ray and wife Lindsey of Dallas; Brian Ray of Austin; her sister Rosalie Anderson. She was preceded in death by her best friend, and beloved soul-mate, Sidney Johnson Miller, III and by three brothers and two sisters Truman, Robert, Buster Sims, Ruby Beeler, and Peggy Powell.

A service will be at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin, TX 78703.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Westminster Manor Health Care Center and Buckner Hospice for their loving and thoughtful care of Fern.