Marian Miller Meeker, 90, passed away peacefully Nov. 7, 2013. Born in Erie, Kansas to Henry Jeffries Miller and Cora Woodworth Miller, she graduated with a BA in Music Education from Kansas University in 1946 and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She married Robert L. Meeker in Erie on May 28, 1946 and relocated to Jacksonville in 1956 where they opened their first Dairy Queen on Main St. and 26th Street. In 1960, she received her MA in Music Education from the University of Florida. Mrs. Meeker taught Music at the elementary school level rotating at various times between Garden City, Hogan Spring Glen, Southside Estates, Love Grove, Darnell Cookman and Seabreeze Elementary schools.
At the end of her career, she was teaching at Sandalwood Jr. & Sr. High School. Her love of music and the fellowship of the church led her to become Choir Director for the Arlington Congregational Church from 1964-2001. Marian loved life and everyone she came in contact with. Her excitement for life's experiences created a multitude of friendships that have lasted a lifetime. She had a great journey with many friends and relatives who loved her. Since retirement, she loved travel, musical performances, spending time with her friends, and her family. We will miss her always positive outlook on life, her humor and especially her love. Marian experienced gradually debilitating dementia which eventually became Alzheimer's, which was followed by a stroke. Since 2007, she was a resident in the Atrium, Harbor Chase Assisted Living and Memory Care and finally Southlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Meeker on Dec. 10, 1997; daughter, Marcia Kimball Lawrence in May 2003 and grandson, Luke Kimball in Oct. 2010. Surviving Mrs. Meeker is her son, Tom Meeker of Jacksonville; granddaughters, Jill Meeker Germer of Panama City Beach, FL; Amanda Ring Palmer of Live Oak, FL; Sarah Lawrence of Newport, New Hampshire; and grandson, Don Kimball of Sligo, PA; and great-grandchildren: Aylssa, Kendall, Mia, Daniel, Logan, and Sophie.
The family will receive friends for a time of fellowship Fri., Nov. 22nd from 5-7 p.m. at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL. A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m., Sat. Nov. 23rd at Arlington Congregational Church, 431 University Blvd. North Jacksonville, FL 32211. For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to the church in her memory.
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