Wilma Schleifer Miller

Wilma Miller, age 83, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2021 surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Brooklyn, NY to the late Max and Mary Schleifer. Wilma and her twin sister grew up in Chattanooga, TN and graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1955. Wilma and her 3 children, Mark, Jill and Cheri, married Hal Miller in 1963. She spent most of her adult life in Raleigh, NC.

Wilma sang in the choir at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for 30 years and also served on the Vestry. She had a generous spirit of giving. She accumulated over 17,000 volunteer hours at UNC Rex Hospital, including serving on the UNC Rex Hospital Guild Board. She was passionate about advocating for children and people with disabilities. She was appointed by Gov. James B. Hunt, Jr. to the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities. She was also appointed by Gov. James Martin to the N.C. Interagency Coordinating Council for children with disabilities. She founded the Rex Triangle Amputee Support Group in which she was active for 22 years. She served as President of the Pine Valley Chapter of the N.C. Easter Seal Society.

Wilma was a gifted artist, having studied art in San Francisco, Chattanooga (under the professional artist Fannie Mennen), Galveston, Beeville, TX and the Philippines. She also had a talent for interior design. She was always willing to share her talents with anyone who asked. Wilma loved animals, especially dear to her were her cats Possum and Cocoa.

Wilma was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was always a generous hostess, a compassionate and careful listener, had a big heart, and was always ready to help anyone in need. She was a blessing to all who knew her. Wilma’s smile, her kind spirit, the twinkle in her eyes, and her humor will be missed. She leaves with us her love and joy in all of God’s creation, her zeal for life, with an always positive outlook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Mark Davis; her daughter, Jill Davis; her twin sister, Sandy (Schafer); and her grandson, Brian Griffin.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years Hal; her daughter, Cheri (John) Maiorano Cowart; granddaughter, Kristen (Blake) McKinlay; grandson, Michael Maiorano; and great-granddaughter, Mila Rose McKinlay.

The family extends sincere love and appreciation to Janice Vick for her love and care of Wilma and Hal.

A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh on Thursday, September 9th at 11:00 am. A visitation and reception will be held at a later date due to the current status of the pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to support a Nursing Excellence scholarship in Wilma’s name at UNC Rex Healthcare. Gifts may be sent to the Rex Healthcare Foundation at 2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Suite 325, Raleigh, NC 27607. Please include “In memory of Wilma Miller” in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at https://rexheathcarefoundation.com/honor-someone/. All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged to the family.

Donations may also be made to Church of the Good Shepherd,121 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603, to benefit the music ministry.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.