At the age of a 101 our loved mother, grandmother and great grandma Mary Elizabeth Miller has passed away. With her sense of humor intact, Mary will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.
Mary Elizabeth Bailey was born in 1921 to Jim and Sadie A. Bailey in Meridian, Idaho and moved to San Joaquin, CA in 1925 where she remained for most of her life. Mary was raised by her mother in an era that was much different than the world we live in today. Mary’s stories of growing up during the Great Depression will always be remembered. In the 1930’s at a young age Mary worked to make ends meet with her mother as a telephone operator with the very first crank phones. After high school Mary volunteered as a nurse in the prisoner of war camps during WWII. Mary was an active member of the Methodist Church. As a young girl she recited poetry on Sunday services and later met her husband George Miller at a Sunday supper at the church.
Mary continued to live in San Joaquin, CA with her husband George, two sons Dewey and Daniel raising cotton and working at the local school as a secretary. Upon retirement Mary’s passion was raising money for the VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars in San Joaquin. She would spend endless hours cooking, sewing and crafting for the auxiliary.
The last 25 years Mary’s life included cheering for the Giants, LeBron James, and attending FSU men’s and women’s basketball. Her love for sports, reading mystery novels, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren kept her sharp throughout her later years, which helped her reach her goal: Turning 100 years old! And she made it to 101!!!!
Mary is survived by her son Daniel Miller and his wife Maggie, her niece Pamela Bailey, her granddaughter Rebecca Wisehart and her husband Derek, her granddaughter Danelle Bickers and her husband Brad, and her great-grandchildren Ashly Wisehart, Shelby Wisehart, Sophia Bickers, and Daniel Bickers.
Graveside services will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on February 24th @11:00 am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the Miller family.
