Marilyn May Miller

Guess Everyone IS Unique .... Mama was Truly One of a Kind.

Born in Chicago, Illinois to a successful Music Composer/Orchestrator, Burrell Van Buren. Wanting a less hectic lifestyle and to live off the land, The Van Burens (Marilyn, her sister Ima, Stepmother and Burrell moved to Rock Haven, Kentucky on an 86 Acre Hill. It was 400 feet up and Overlooked the Ohio River into Indiana and was adjacent to Fort Knox. Her father built an enormous Log House and created endless exotic beautiful gardens leading to the River Overlook.

Marilyn had outdoor tasks which enhanced her Love and Appreciation of All Living Things. She considered the Animals her babies and the Flora fascinated Her, especially the various leaves and flowers. This private Paradise was beautiful yet rugged which sadly was to the family's disadvantage. During WWII Their Rock Haven was requisitioned by Fort Knox for training. The Family were forced to sell. After the War the Property was Gifted to the State Parks Division where it remains to this day as part of Otter Creek State Park near Louisville, Kentucky.

Marilyn was extremely proud of her home and never lost her love for Wildlife and the many varieties of plants she enjoyed there. Eventually, she and her sister left to find their own places in life. Being shy but armed with a wicked sense of humour, her innate Positive Character full of Determination and Perseverance provided the strength she would need to face head-on the difficult challenges she met with 3 daughters as she navigated the struggle for a woman in those times to develop a career.

Marilyn made her mark in the Optical Industry. Starting at the lowest level she worked for years to break out from Administration and Laboratory work. She successfully earned her Optical License and she was off! She worked at Williams Optical, Milams Optical, Horner Raush Optical and Sears/Cole Vision.

With her sparkling personality and attention to detail Marilyn became Sales Person of the year more than once and was a Member of the Number One Club. She became a Store Manager and continued enjoying (on a shorter schedule) the People Fun and Challenge until a year ago. Those difficult years would provide her with an understanding and empathy for others which would drive her Generous and Charitable Nature when she finally found success. And those Experiences coupled with an incredible curiosity and desire to learn served her well throughout her life. She was Independent to a fault. As a young teen I can recall her paying back $5 every Friday payday only to re borrow it immediately. This went on until she finally got a raise in salary. But.... she refused to ever go into debt or be short in her bank accounts.

Therefore, Marilyn :

Loved Passionately-Unconditionally Displayed Loyalty at All Cost while fiercely Advocating Campaigned both tirelessly and financially for her Moral and Political Beliefs. Was genuinely interested in people making many lifelong friends who together strive for positive solutions. Champion causes too many to list but a few are listed below.

President of The Tennessee Network for Animals 3 years

Wrote Editorials for the Tennessean to bring attention to the plight of the Animals

Attended and or supported Walk for Life in Washington DC

Farm Sanctuary , Humane Association,

Green peace, Earth day, Audubon Society, WWF, International Fund for Animals in Africa, Asia and the Oceans.

Support for our wonderful Police and Fire Departments

The Wilson County Democrats

Marilyn (Mama) will be Forever Sadly missed by Friends and Family alike.

You were an Irreplaceable Shining STAR 🌟

Marilyn May Miller, age 90 of Mt. Juliet, TN passed away June 25, 2019. She is survived by her daughters, Gail Piper and husband Malcolm Piper and their children, Christopher Piper and Danielle Piper of London, England and Billye Thompson and her children, Douglas Thompson, Jr and Stephanie Thompson of Mt. Juliet, TN and ex- son - in - law Douglas Thompson, Sr and his wife Linda Thompson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Hermitage Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Myers officiating. Interment will follow in Hermitage Memorial Gardens.

Visitation with the family will be 3:00 ~ 7:00 pm Saturday, June 29, 2019 and 1:00 ~ 2:00 Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marilyn’s name may be made to PETA, Farm Sanctuary, HSUS and ASPCA.