CORA SOUTHERLAND MILLER
1913-2004
EULOGY WRITTEN BY HER SON
AND DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 25, 2004
Truly this woman was a servant of the Lord. How fortunate Ann, Betty and I were to have her for our Mother. How fortunate were you to be her grandchildren, and how fortunate you were to be her friend. Her life touched many, and her touch meant that you were being touched by God.
Two words come to mind in describing our Mother-confident and optimistic. She had a clearly defined sense of what was right for her, and how to make it happen. The last week of her life clearly demonstrated that. As she told, Reverend Ward-“I have a date with God, and I intend to keep it.”
I can never remember my Mother being indecisive on any issue, nor did she ever waiver in offering her opinion. I fondly titled her, “The Queen of Unsolicited Advice.” This became a standing joke in our family as she would say, “Whether you take it or not, I still want to offer you some unsolicited advice.”
On my trips to visit her at Brandon Oaks our discussion generally focused on spiritual and philosophical topics. We would discuss family memories and her hope for the future. Her hope for the future rested in the destiny of her grandchildren. She once told me, “Preston, I have done all I can for you children, the rest of my life will be devoted to my grandchildren.” This devotion has resulted in all six being college graduates, and being kind, caring, good citizens. All were devoted to their Grandmother. She nurtured them through notes and remembrances, and enjoyed in their success even more than they did.
When I came to visit her on her 90th birthday, I asked her to tell me what each grandchild meant to her. I would like to share those thoughts with you:
LIZ – THOUGHTFUL. Liz is a very thoughtful, caring person, and she has a plan and executes her plan well. She is very capable. She writes long and informative letters to keep me abreast of her life.
WHITNEY – GENUINELY INTERESTED IN ME AS A PERSON.-I feel very secure when I am with Whitney-she anticipates my needs the best of all my grandchildren. I can depend on Whitney.
ELIZA – CARING.— She shares the stages of her life with me and keeps me informed. She is very generous.
CHARLIE – THOUGHTFUL. When Charlie writes me, he shares his life with me. He is generous in his gifts to me. I am touched that he thoughtfully picks out gifts for me.
PRESTON – HE WRITES A VERY WARM LETTER. He conveys his feelings best for me in writing.
MEREDITH – A VERY SENSITIVE AND CARING PERSON. I hear from her more than the other grandchildren. She is the most spiritual of my grandchildren.
Sister Ann and Sister Betty have provided the day-to-day care for Mother. They, not me,
are the heroes of this drama. I came when I could, but I wasn’t there for her like Ann and
Betty. Let me share her thoughts on her children:
BETTY – LOGICAL, EFFICIENT, CAPABLE – Very perceptive of my needs, and sees to it that I get the care that I need. She is truly my advocate. I can depend on her.
ANN – ALWAYS WILLING TO COME. Constantly looking for things that will make my life more comfortable. Very nurturing. Ann is generous to me beyond her means.
PRESTON – VERY THOUGHTFUL. He keeps in contact. He will ALWAYS be there for me. He constantly reminds me of what I mean to him. He appreciates me and I appreciate the time that he spends with me.
She then made a general comment:
“I am deeply appreciative of such a loving and caring family. I am very, very proud of
each of them, and this is understatement. One of the things that I am proudest of is that I
have kept in contact with my grandchildren by writing them letters and keeping the when their parents went on trips. That gave them the opportunity of knowing their grandmother. I was particularly interested in my grandchildren having a strong faith. I urged each of them to have a 10 minute devotional every day and read a chapter from the Bible.”
In closing, I am so thankful to have been with her this past week as she implemented her plan to join the Kingdom Triumphant. Death to her had NO sting. I had the privilege of watching true faith in action, to quietly hold her hand by the hour, and to pray continuously for God’s will.
I have but one regret-I have lost more than a Mother. I have lost the one person that I know who has prayed for me daily for 66 years.