Miller, Sara Fry (1924-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Mar 31 p. 8

Birth date: 1924 Oct 12

text of obituary:

SARA F. MILLER

Sara F. Miller, 78, of Macon, Miss., died March 1, 2003, at her home. She was born Oct. 12, 1924, to Noah J. and Mary (Bontrager) Fry in New Mexico.

She was a homemaker and a longtime resident of Mashulaville, near Macon, and a member of the Mennonite Church community. She will be remembered by family and friends as a loving wife, mother and grandmother who devoted her life to helping others.

"Mom Sara's" funeral was attended by more than 400 of her racially diverse family and friends. At the funeral was the Mashulaville African-American community, her (Native) Choctaw Indian children and friends, her white children, a host of her Amish nephews and nieces, Mississippi Mennonites of all colors and several Vietnamese friends. The church service theme was "Have You Been to Jesus' Table?" A meal was served at The Dormitory, the place where the Millers raised their extended family and shared table space with so many over the years.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Andrew Miller; nine sons, Larry Miller, Richard Gillett, Robert Gillett, Rodney Gillett, Roger Gillett, Velton Farmer, Howard Polk, Travis Wallace and Jerry Bell; seven daughters, Anita Gillett, Celia Tubby, Mary Sue Clark, Deanie Ashford, Maggie Farmer, Shirley Grant and Linda Bell; two brothers, Ezra Fry and Jake Fry; 34 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Fry; two sons, Kenneth Miller and Randall Gillett; and a grandchild.

Funeral services were held at Brush Fork Baptist Church. Burial was in Mount Olive Cemetery.