Lillian E. Miller was born March 22, 1920 in Richmond, Alabama to Fulton and Katie Edwards. She was the 5th child of 10 and was the last living sibling. At 102, Lillian looked as beautiful as the life she lived, as she transitioned this life on December 12, 2022.
Lillian attended Street Manual Training School, in Minter, Alabama. The school was established in 1904 for the Training of the Colored Youth and its motto was “Lifting As We Climb”. After graduating, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be with her brothers, Hugh and Herman Edwards, and sister, Mamie Williams-Waters. While living in Birmingham, she was one of the first colored women hired to operate the elevator at Black’s department store.
During the great migration, Lillian and most of her family moved to Canton, Ohio. She worked at Harter Bank and then with the Canton City Schools as a Teacher’s Assistant until she retired in 1992.
Lillian was a faithful member of St. Paul AME Church in Canton, Ohio. She was a member of the Steward Board #2 and served until 2019. During COVID, she enjoyed listening to online church service.
Lillian loved to listen to old school music of the 60’s and 70’s. She was a true lover of sports: football, baseball and basketball. Out of the three, basketball was her favorite and LeBron was her favorite player. Regardless of the team, she always cheered for LeBron. Lillian also enjoyed needle-point, reading, geography, and redoing things! She was a handy woman around the house and never hesitated to climb a ladder to get the job done.
Lillian truly loved her family unconditionally, a lesson for all the others to model. She was really quick-witted, had quite the sense of humor, and remembered everything! She was the family historian.
Lillian is proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Edward Miller, and her 9 siblings.
Lillian is survived by her daughters, Juanita Chase (Paul) and Glynis Miller; grandchildren, Shauna Knox-Mayberry (Michael) and A’nya Miller (her greatest jokester and confidant); great-grandchildren—who lovingly called her GG, Miah, Michael III (Tre), Mason and Shay Mayberry; sister-in-law, Doris Edwards; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
“Lillian was a grand and humble person who lived a long beautiful life. We will miss her dearly and LOVE her ALWAYS!”