Mary Lou Miller

Mary Lou met George Miller at her 18th birthday party in Hartsville, SC, where George and some of his Air Force buddies happened to drop by. Mary Lou wrote in her journal that when she met George, it was love at first sight. They were married just two months later before George was deployed overseas. That "chance" meeting turned into a lifelong commitment. Together, Mary Lou and George shared 54 years of marriage.

Their life together took them around the world as they traveled with George’s military service. Along the way, they raised three sons - Tim, Toby, and Tom. Mary Lou loved her family and especially treasured her two grandsons, Aaron and Ethan.

In 1980, Mary Lou and George made a decision that changed their lives. They accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and their faith became a central part of their life. God used them to lead others to Christ, including Alvin and Peggy Jones. Al and Peggy became lifelong friends, and they played a major role in helping the family take care of Mary Lou in her later years.

Mary Lou was also blessed with a special lifelong friend, Elsie Byrd. Beginning in elementary school, that friendship spanned eight decades. The special friendship, love, and care that both Peggy and Elsie shared with Mary Lou meant so much to both her and the entire family. These friendships will always be remembered and cherished.

The family is deeply grateful to her daughter-in-law, Rebecca, whose advanced nursing skills and dedication made it possible to take care of Mary Lou at home during her struggles with dementia.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George E. Miller; her parents, Alexander and Etta Funderburk; and two of her sisters, Betty Jean Jackson and Barbara Johnson.

She is survived by her three sons and their wives; Tim (Rebecca) of Clayton, NC; Toby (Dani) of Clayton, NC; Tom (Alisha) and her grandsons, Aaron and Ethan, of Leland, NC. She is also survived by two of her siblings who she loved very much, Brenda Harris of Zephyrhills, FL, and Buddy Funderburk of Hartsville, SC.

Mary Lou will be remembered for her love of her husband and family, her cherished friendships and her faith in Jesus Christ. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue through her family and friends.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that Mary Lou is now reunited with her beloved husband and is resting in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Wilmington, NC.