Thirza Ann (Hardin) Miller

Thirza Ann Miller Oct 3, 1930 - July 22, 2016 Thirza Ann (Hardin) Miller of Cordell, Oklahoma passed away Friday, July 22, 2016 at Weatherford Regional Hospital after a brief illness and was a resident of Corn Heritage Village in Corn, Ok. Services for Ann Miller will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Cordell First Baptist Church with Rev. Terrell Romberg officiating, followed by burial at Clinton Cemetery under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral home. Ann (and her twin brother, Dan) was born October 3, 1930 in Clinton, OK to Tirey and Alma (Carmicheal) Hardin. Ann grew up in Clinton, graduated from Clinton high school, and was employed at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company until her marriage. Ann met Walter Miller in 1952, and after a brief courtship, were married in Clinton on March 8, 1953. They began their life together in Cordell, Oklahoma. In January 1964, Ann and Walter opened Miller's Variety Store in Shattuck, Oklahoma and spent many happy years working together, running a successful business, and raising their children. During these years, Ann was known for creating lovely Memorial Day wreaths and Easter Baskets for the store, and the children share 'fond' memories of making bows, wrapping gifts, and 'getting into the candy counter'! In January, 1982, Ann and Waiter retired from Miller's Variety, returned to Cordell, OK, and Walter enjoyed farming with his brother. Ann became interested in the Genealogy Society and spent the next few years joyfully researching the Miller history, meeting many new relatives across the country and in Germany, and, eventually, published her book, In Search of Dreams: Muller-Miller Family Histories, in 1990. Ann also enjoyed quilting and made many baby quilts as gifts over the years. Painting also became a hobby and many of her painting now grace the walls in the homes of friends and family. Gardening was another talent of Ann's and she shared this gift by giving away bulbs and cuttings to grow and thrive in gardens across the country. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tirey and Alma Hardin; husband, Walter Miller; son, Charles Miller, and brother, Joe Hardin. Survivors include her sons: Steve Miller and wife, Cathye, of Carl's Corner, Texas, and Jerry Miller and wife, Kathy, of Bessie; one daughter, Sharon Miller of Flower Mound, Texas; two brothers, Dan Hardin and wife, Vicki, of Amarillo, TX and Bryan Hardin and wife, Mary of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; one grandson, Benjamin Miller of Midlothian, TX; Step-grandchildren, Jessica Saucier of Burleson, TX, Jesse Zarecki and Dwight Zarecki of Binger, Travis Zarecki of Oklahoma City, Malorie Zarecki of Clinton, and Michelle Lister of Galveston, TX; 13 step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.