Nelda Jean Miller

On October 15, 1938 in Austin, Texas, Nelda Jean Burt was born to Jesse Jackson Burt and Ella Killebrew Burt. Nelda met the love of her life, Frankie Miller, in the library at Travis High School in 1954. They married September 1, 1957 in Austin.

Nelda was a godly example to many! She loved Jesus and lived out her faith for all to see. She was baptized in her early 20’s, but she came to know Jesus when she was nine years old. She and Frankie were faithful church members at Windsor Park Baptist Church in the 1960’s and 70’s, where they developed many lifelong friendships that lasted until her death. Many of those close friends said that she taught them how to be a friend, one who sticks closer than a brother. Nelda was a longtime active member of Great Hills Baptist Church (formerly Allandale Baptist) in Austin under the long pastorate of Rev. Harold E. O’Chester. She was a deacon’s wife, Sunday School Director, and after losing her husband Frankie, she taught the Grief Share class. But her favorite ministry at Great Hills was being in charge of the annual Christmas decorating of the church for more than 30 years. Because of Nelda’s love of decorating and flowers, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a floral shop called Candlelight Flowers & Gifts on Bee Cave Rd. in the mid 80’s after raising her family.

Nelda was a devoted, loving wife to Frankie till he passed in 1999. She was the best mom three daughters could have asked for. She loved being a mother as well as a “Deda” to her grandchildren and great-children. She let all of us know how very loved we were and she would say, “You are very, very, very special!”

Nelda lived her life verse even in the last year of her life in the situation she was in. Each morning she would tell the staff of her care home, “This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it,” just as she had recited to her family. Mom would always choose joy in the midst of her circumstances. She told those she encountered about Jesus and was a testimony to God’s grace all throughout her life. Also, Nelda lived a life of unconditional love. She was quick to forgive and forget. Her life is best remembered and honored in this way. She was a champion for Jesus as reflected in her deep abiding love for her family, friends and others who were blessed to meet her.

Departing life beforehand were her parents; husband, Frank Miller Jr.; and sisters Laverne Boyd and Margaret Lucchese.

She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanie and Alan Goldsberry, Julie and Mark Shirley, and Pam and George Lee. She leaves grandchildren: Joe Don Goldsberry and wife JoEllen, Bobby Goldsberry and wife Lauren, Glenn Goldsberry, Katelyn Goldsberry, Grant Shirley and wife Emily, Austin Shirley and wife Ashley, Matthew Shirley and wife Megan, Emily Lee, Laura and Cliff Kant, Hannah and Parker Gross; and niece Peggy Boyd and nephew Sam Lucchese.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Madison Goldsberry, Ethan Goldsberry, Everett Goldsberry, Makenna Goldsberry, Owen Shirley, Emerson Shirley, Graham Shirley, Virginia Shirley, Grayson Shirley, Dylan Shirley, Sophia Garcia, Caleb Kant, Daniel Kant, and Malachi Kant.

Her life will be forever cherished in the hearts of those who love her. We find great joy and peace knowing that we will be reunited with her in Heaven, and we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13).

Family and friends are invited to a visitation to be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Following the chapel service, she will be laid to rest at White Rock Cemetery in Bee Cave, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Miller family.