E-mails from Friends and Family
Mary Louise Hanford Miller: September 6, 1922 – July 5,
2011
Mary was born in Bayside Long Island, New York on September 6,
1922. She attended high school in New York and at the age of 18 came
south to attend college at Florida State University which was then
known as The Florida State College for Women. She was a member of
the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and in her junior year transferred
to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated
in 1945 with a degree in Journalism. In 1970 she went back to school
and earned her Master's Degree in Mass Communications from the
University of Georgia.
Mary served in the Woman’s Army Corps in Europe during WWII. While
stationed in Paris she met Don Miller, also in the Army and they were
married on February 28, 1946. After the war they settled in North Miami
Beach, FL where Don opened a law practice, she taught 3rd and 4th
grade and they had 3 daughters.
In 1959 the family moved to Suches, GA where they farmed (hogs and
cattle) and she and Don both taught classes at Woody Gap school.
Their next move was to Winter Park, FL in 1966 where Mary worked on
the editorial staff of the Florida Catholic News. This was a weekly
newspaper serving Catholics of Central Florida and Mary had the
distinction of being the first protestant to ever work there.
The Millers returned to North Georgia in 1971 where Mary purchased a
building on the square in Dahlonega and was among the first to convert
the space into a number of specialty shops. The new establishment was
called Mary's Mini Mall and included The Gold Shop jewelry, Golden
Memories Antiques and Books (owned by Mary) and numerous other
stores through the years. This "Mini-Mall" concept soon caught on as
other building owners followed suit thus helping change the face of
Dahlonega as a tourist destination.
In 2002 she sold her shop to daughter Judi and she and Don moved to
Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, GA.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Don Miller, grandson
Sean McCluskey and son-in-law Thomas Clemmons.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Kathy Clemmons, Judi Boggs and
Sandra McCluskey and sons-in-law Bill Boggs and Doby McCluskey.
She is also survived by 6 living grandchildren and 6 great-
grandchildren.
A military honors service will be conducted at Zion Baptist cemetery in
Suches, GA on Saturday July 9, 2011 at 1PM. A memorial service will
be held at Lanier Village Estates on Wednesday July 13, 2011 at 2:
30PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to a local charity of your
choice.
Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.
2011
Mary was born in Bayside Long Island, New York on September 6,
1922. She attended high school in New York and at the age of 18 came
south to attend college at Florida State University which was then
known as The Florida State College for Women. She was a member of
the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and in her junior year transferred
to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated
in 1945 with a degree in Journalism. In 1970 she went back to school
and earned her Master's Degree in Mass Communications from the
University of Georgia.
Mary served in the Woman’s Army Corps in Europe during WWII. While
stationed in Paris she met Don Miller, also in the Army and they were
married on February 28, 1946. After the war they settled in North Miami
Beach, FL where Don opened a law practice, she taught 3rd and 4th
grade and they had 3 daughters.
In 1959 the family moved to Suches, GA where they farmed (hogs and
cattle) and she and Don both taught classes at Woody Gap school.
Their next move was to Winter Park, FL in 1966 where Mary worked on
the editorial staff of the Florida Catholic News. This was a weekly
newspaper serving Catholics of Central Florida and Mary had the
distinction of being the first protestant to ever work there.
The Millers returned to North Georgia in 1971 where Mary purchased a
building on the square in Dahlonega and was among the first to convert
the space into a number of specialty shops. The new establishment was
called Mary's Mini Mall and included The Gold Shop jewelry, Golden
Memories Antiques and Books (owned by Mary) and numerous other
stores through the years. This "Mini-Mall" concept soon caught on as
other building owners followed suit thus helping change the face of
Dahlonega as a tourist destination.
In 2002 she sold her shop to daughter Judi and she and Don moved to
Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, GA.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Don Miller, grandson
Sean McCluskey and son-in-law Thomas Clemmons.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Kathy Clemmons, Judi Boggs and
Sandra McCluskey and sons-in-law Bill Boggs and Doby McCluskey.
She is also survived by 6 living grandchildren and 6 great-
grandchildren.
A military honors service will be conducted at Zion Baptist cemetery in
Suches, GA on Saturday July 9, 2011 at 1PM. A memorial service will
be held at Lanier Village Estates on Wednesday July 13, 2011 at 2:
30PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to a local charity of your
choice.
Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.
> email = revans@actslife.org
> comments = May the Father of mercies and God of
all comfort minister to
> you all at this time. As part of Mary Miller's extended
family, we at Lanier
> Village Estates share in your loss. Mary was much
loved and admired and
> she will be missed. Lovingly,
> Chaplain Richard Evans
> Lanier Village Estates
>
> email = miruca2003@yahoo.comWe
> comments = We were a group of 6 friends who
started at, and graduated from
> P.S. 41 in Bayside, NY. There was Elaine, Peggy,
Jeanie, Diana, Mary Lou,
> and I. We were imaginative, creative, intellligent
and, above all,
> fun-loving. We formed our own
Clubs--Make-Believe Club, Detective Club,
> Stamp Club and, best of all, Literary Club. After
graduation from
> elementary school we continued our friendship via
the "Round
> Robin" letter which circulated among us
through our higher education,
> careers, marriage,children, grandchildren and, in
some cases,
> great-granchildren. Occasionally, when Mary and
Don had business in NY we
> all met at the Squire Inn, then had lunch at a
restaurant next door whose
> name i've forgotten. We would then return to
the hotel and spend the
> afternoon chatting, sharing experiences and, best
of all, laughing.
> Glorious memories. Wherever you may be now,
may you all be sharing
> memories of our wonderful youth. Your forever
friend, Ruth Migdal
>
> email = wayne.conk@yahoo.com
> comments = so sorry to hear about your
mom...she certainly was a
> character...and judi is a chip off the old
block...love you guys...wayne
> and annette...
>
email = sue.jones@windstream.ent
> comments = Mary was a very loving,
caring person. She was a joy to be
> around. She definitely will be
missed. Sue Jones
> comments = Mary was a very loving,
caring person. She was a joy to be
> around. She definitely will be
missed. Sue Jones
Dear Family,
> Mary was a dear friend,a loving
person and generous. I was
priviledged to
> know her.
> The family will be in my prayers.
> Jane
>
> Mary was a dear friend,a loving
person and generous. I was
priviledged to
> know her.
> The family will be in my prayers.
> Jane
>
=
> email =
wlksn@windstream.net
> comments = I loved Mary,
and I love her girls. She was
like a Mama to
> me, as you all remember me
saying many times. Please
allow me to help
> you all in anyway I or my
family, or staff can.
>
>
> email =
wlksn@windstream.net
> comments = I loved Mary,
and I love her girls. She was
like a Mama to
> me, as you all remember me
saying many times. Please
allow me to help
> you all in anyway I or my
family, or staff can.
>
>
=
> email = nrucinski@stx.rr.com
> comments = As the oldest daughter
of Mary Lou miller;s best friend of
> childhood (or FOC as they refer to
it)it was my wonderful fortune to have
> Mary Lou as my Godmother. My
mother, Fran Johnson and Mary Lou
were best
> friends since the age of three years
old - not many can say that and
> especially these days. Mary will be
missed by so many and had such a
warm
> and loving heart that we are sure
she will remain forever in the hearts of
> all she touched. God bless you and
keep you close to Him, Godmother.
> Love.
> Nancy & Scott Rucinski
>
>
> email = nrucinski@stx.rr.com
> comments = As the oldest daughter
of Mary Lou miller;s best friend of
> childhood (or FOC as they refer to
it)it was my wonderful fortune to have
> Mary Lou as my Godmother. My
mother, Fran Johnson and Mary Lou
were best
> friends since the age of three years
old - not many can say that and
> especially these days. Mary will be
missed by so many and had such a
warm
> and loving heart that we are sure
she will remain forever in the hearts of
> all she touched. God bless you and
keep you close to Him, Godmother.
> Love.
> Nancy & Scott Rucinski
>
>
=
> email = ondough@windstream.net
> comments = We are sorry for your
loss. Mary will be missed. I am blessed
> that she was in my life.
> She will always have a special place
in my heart.
>
> Love,
> Joan & Anthony
>
> email = ondough@windstream.net
> comments = We are sorry for your
loss. Mary will be missed. I am blessed
> that she was in my life.
> She will always have a special place
in my heart.
>
> Love,
> Joan & Anthony
>
=
> email = vickielynnsgifts@gmail.com
> comments = I am very sorry to hear
about your loss. Mary was a wonderful
> person, she had the best sense of
humor. Mary made me LAUGH!!! I
remember
> Her buying beanie babies from me
and taking them across the street to
sell
> them at triple the price-- very smart
business lady!!!! I will miss her. I
> am sorry I can not attend the service
in Suches today. Vickie Lynn
>
> email = vickielynnsgifts@gmail.com
> comments = I am very sorry to hear
about your loss. Mary was a wonderful
> person, she had the best sense of
humor. Mary made me LAUGH!!! I
remember
> Her buying beanie babies from me
and taking them across the street to
sell
> them at triple the price-- very smart
business lady!!!! I will miss her. I
> am sorry I can not attend the service
in Suches today. Vickie Lynn
>
=
> email = LThomas49@comcast.net
> comments = Kathy, Judi, and Sandy,
> I have such fond memories of being
in the Miller home as a child both in
> Miami and then in Suches. Your
mother was a wonderful lady. I will miss
> her.
> You are in my thoughts and prayers
in this loss.
> Leslie Wall Pierson
> Vero Beach, FL
>
> email = LThomas49@comcast.net
> comments = Kathy, Judi, and Sandy,
> I have such fond memories of being
in the Miller home as a child both in
> Miami and then in Suches. Your
mother was a wonderful lady. I will miss
> her.
> You are in my thoughts and prayers
in this loss.
> Leslie Wall Pierson
> Vero Beach, FL
>
=
> email = pinkymo@comcast.net
> comments = We were so sorry to
hear of your loss. Your mom was a real
> sport model. Best wishes to you all.
> Duane & Pinky Moore
>
> email = pinkymo@comcast.net
> comments = We were so sorry to
hear of your loss. Your mom was a real
> sport model. Best wishes to you all.
> Duane & Pinky Moore
>
Judi & Bill, John and I are sending
our condolences to you
> and your family.
> John & Judy Peppers
>
our condolences to you
> and your family.
> John & Judy Peppers
>
Dear Judy and Bill, God bless you.
This is a hard time for you and nothing
I can say would make it easier but just
know that I care. It has been a long
time since we were all in Quarstzite AZ,
but the memories are still vivid and
wonderful. Mary is looking down
smiling and remembering all you have
done with her and for her. Thank you.
Sincerely, Pattie Lamb
>
This is a hard time for you and nothing
I can say would make it easier but just
know that I care. It has been a long
time since we were all in Quarstzite AZ,
but the memories are still vivid and
wonderful. Mary is looking down
smiling and remembering all you have
done with her and for her. Thank you.
Sincerely, Pattie Lamb
>