Ava Sharon Miller

She leaves behind a beloved husband and partner, Ralph Miller; her son and best friend, Stoerm Anderson; a fine daughter in-law, Baaska Anderson; two grandchildren, Madeleine and Stoerm Anderson Jr; and her dear sister, Lynette Friesen. As one of the primary architects of health education in the lower Rio Grande Valley (having guided the evolution of nursing/health science education at Texas Southmost College through the University of Texas at Brownsville to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), she also leaves behind a multi-generational host of colleagues, educators, friends, and students who will carry forward the care, kindness, and commitment she modeled in her educational practice.

Dr. Miller was a scholar of voracious intellectual appetite who retained a humble appreciation for simple pleasures. She had three masters degrees, two doctorates, various and sundry licenses and certifications, and a wealth of knowledge that she accumulated on her own. She loved adventure, animals, books, Christmas, crafts, cute red cars (preferring to maintain them herself), assorted doodads, doing and making stuff, fine artisanal goods, games, ideas, libraries, music (a flutist!), plants (growing, eating, studying), projects of all variety, shopping, words, all manner of pleasant places to sit and talk, and (related) Whataburger (Jr combo, cheese, no onions or pickles, chocolate malt). There is no telling what she is up to presently, but it cannot be doubted that she is doing it with imagination and zeal.

She was a multifaceted woman: A Deweyan educator par excellence, mentoring all those wise enough to recognize the subtle and nuanced genius she brought to her craft and practice of education and inquiry; a voracious tech nerd, always abreast of cutting edge developments in mobile gadgetry and novel ways to honor an original Macintosh computer; a mother, spouse, and friend of extraordinary strength, wisdom, and patience (tolerance, some might say). She was an optimist in cynical times and the world is (temporarily) less vibrant without her, but we will carry her energy and love of life forward.

She would be tickled if she had known ahead of time her funeral would one day be held on October 20th, John Dewey’s birthday. Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life at the Funeraria Del Angel at Mont Meta on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 from 9am until Noon, with prayer service and burial at 11AM. Dress comfortably, as you would to a nice lunch meeting.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Mont Meta on October 20, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Chapel Funeral Service will take place at Funeraria Del Angel Mont Meta, 26170 State Highway 345, San Benito, TX 785867351, US, on October 20, 2026, at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park, 26170 State Highway 345, San Benito, TX 785867351, US, on October 20, 2026, at 11:00 am.