Betty D. Miller

July 4, 1935-November 2, 2016

Betty Anne Davis Miller was born July 4, 1935 in Arlington, Virginia, the daughter of Vivian Berry Davis and William Columbus Davis.

Betty Anne’s parents met as students at the University of Alabama where “Bill” pursued studies in history and Vivian in teaching. Bill earned his PhD at Harvard in Latin American History. Betty Anne’s paternal grandfather was a prosperous railroad lawyer and Lieutenant Governor from Jasper, Alabama. Her mother, Vivian Berry Davis, was the daughter of Mae and Van Berry, a pharmacist. Her parents had marital difficulties but Betty Anne was well loved by both her parents and grandparents.

Betty Anne Davis Miller, loving wife for 59 years of Douglas F. Miller and mother to their three children, Ruth, Brett and Van rose to her well rewarded place in our heavenly home on November 2, 2016. Her daughter Ruth was there to welcome her along with Betty Anne’s mother Vivian, her brother, Don, grandparents Van and Mae, Maud and William, a crowd of friends and, yes, a heavenly handbell choir similar to Shades Valley Presbyterian’s award winning aggregation.

Betty Anne attended Southside Baptist Church at the age of seven where Dr. John Buchanan was the Senior Pastor. Her chaplain with Alacare Hospice was also a member of Southside Baptist Church.

Betty Anne graduated in 1956 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Her sorority had the honor of a sister who was Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Among the Sweetheart’s duties was to find stray Sigma Chi’s dates. She had many friends for her first two years at Mary Washington University at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Betty Anne used her education studies to become Executive Secretary to Sunny Jim Downey, Director of Public Relations for U. S. Pipe and Foundry. She participated in the Maid of Cotton Pageant, played handbells and loved traveling. Betty Anne is survived by her husband, Doug, her sons, Van and Brett and other loving friends and family members.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama, Saturday, November 12 at 9:30 AM with visitation preceding the service at 8:30 AM. A graveside service will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Birmingham Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness or the handbell program of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church in Betty Anne's name.

Arrangements under the direction of Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, Birmingham, AL.