Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Mae Coley Miller, of the Hardin Valley departed this life January 3, 2015. She was born November 19, 1913 in White Wing, Tn. She was a member of Ball Camp Baptist Church. Mae Miller spent the first 100 years of her life taking care of other people, without complaint. Almost. Her father Rule Coley ran the ferry across Clinch River at White Wing, and he was always bringing home hungry stragglers. It was Mae's job as the oldest daughter of 13 children to help feed them all. But, food was scarce on an East Tennessee farm during the Great Depression, and children ate last, if at all. She would tell her grand children the story of an old man that showed up at the Coley home for supper many times. Mae recalled watching him lean back in his chair after a meal, lighting his pipe with a match, regaling her parents with his latest yarn. Mae and her 12 siblings were amused, but hungry. "I kept watching that match burn down while he sucked on that pipe, thinking I wish ‘t he'd burn his fingers so he'd hush up and we could eat," she'd tell her grandchildren reminding them to always be grateful for what they have. She'd feed the old man just the same, the same way shed feed her loved ones over the years. Who knows how many cakes, pies, and jars of jelly she prepared during her lifetime. A lot, there's no doubt, Over a hundred years of service to her family, friends, and neighbors. In 1918 she took her first car ride. In 1937 she married Roy Miller. In 1945 Roy left for World War II, leaving her at home with four small children until his return. In 1948 the family got electricity for the first time. In 1950 the family got Plumbing in the home. At age 76 she took her first plane trip with her sisters to San Francisco. At age 90 she survived a near fatal car crash. In 2011 she lost Roy after 74 years of marriage. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rule and Eva Coley. Husband, Roy C. Miller, son, Danny Miller, son-in-law Charles Whited. Brothers Sam, Hez,Virgil, Javis, George, Tom and Jim Coley sisters; Edna Coley Smith and Ida Coley. She is survived by her sons Virgil (Margie),Kenneth(Connie), and Robert (Annette), daughters Carolyn Miller Whited, Janna Miller (Ronny) Shook, and daughter-in-law Pricilla Miller. She had 15 grandchildren,18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, sister, Nan Coley Farmer and brother, C.J. Coley. She also had many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the staff at West Hills Nursing Facility for their kindness and care. Funeral service 7 p.m. Tuesday Ball Camp Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Johnson Officiating. Family and friends will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for graveside services. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church prior to the service. In-lieu of Flowers Make donations to Ball Camp Baptist Church 2412 Ball Camp Byington Rd, Knoxville, TN 37931 www.loudonfuneralhome.net

Visitation Details

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Ball Camp Baptist Church

Service Details

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 7:00pm, Ball Camp Baptist Church