Edythe A. Miller's Obituary
Longview civic leader and musician, Edythe Miller, died on Saturday, April 2, 2005. Born Edythe Arnelle Fowler March 10, 1919, to school teachers Squire Washington Fowler and Eve Mary Page Fowler of the Opelika community in Henderson County, Texas, she was one of twelve children in an East Texas family known for their singing and musicianship.
After graduating from Brownsboro High School, Edythe moved to Longview, and became a member of the First Baptist Church. It was there that she met William Virgil Miller whom she married on November 20, 1939. In 1940, Edythe and Virgil moved to Charleston, South Carolina where Virgil was employed at the Charleston Navy Yard.
Upon their return to Longview in 1945, following the war, they became members of the Highland Street Mission of the First Baptist Church where Edythe's father, Squire Fowler, was the music director. With the building of the church?s first sanctuary at the intersection of Mobberly Avenue and Owings Street, the church was reorganized into Mobberly Avenue Baptist Church. Edythe and Virgil were charter members. Edythe succeeded her father as the first music director of the new church. She directed both adult and youth choirs and established the graded choirs program, serving with Pastor C.L. Porter.
Edythe and Virgil were active supporters of the Mobberly Baptist Church. They were also instrumental in the growth and expansion of Baylor University where three of their children attended, and had a special love for the Hawaii Baptist Academy.
Edythe studied music at Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist College. Additionally, her beautiful dramatic soprano voice was further developed by study with the noted, Dr. Maxmillino Hellman of Vienna, Austria.
Active in Longview?s civic affairs, Edythe was a member, and served terms as president, of the Longview Music Club, the Longview Fine Arts Club and the Longview Federation of Women's Clubs, respectively. She is remembered as a masterful mediator, and an articulate spokesperson for the dignity of all people. She exhibited a confidence in the power of a strong spiritual faith as a catalyst for making a positive difference in the lives of others.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Virgil Miller. She is survived by sons William F. Miller and Richard E. Miller of Longview, and son Joseph M. Miller and daughter Mary M. Miller of New York City, a sister, Virginia Lindsay of Longview; grandchildren Richard E. Miller II and Dan W. Miller of Dallas, Texas, Michael M. Miller, a student at Baylor University, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Mobberly Baptist Church Music Ministry.
A celebration of Edythe Miller?s life will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday morning in the sanctuary of Mobberly Baptist Church with Dr. Laney Johnson officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd., Longview, TX.
A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from 6-7 PM.
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