Obituary for Mary Emma Miller (Martin)
Mary Emma (Martin) Miller, 85, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Westford House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Water Valley, Mississippi on March 17, 1937, and was the only child of the late Woodrow and Lois (Thomas) Martin.
Mary Emma was raised in central Mississippi and treasured her years growing up with her many Thomas and Martin relatives. The fondest of her memories were summers spent scattered across the Mississippi communities of Kilmichael, French Camp, Silver Creek, New Hebron, Crooked Creek, Hooker, Rockport, and Mobile, AL, visiting her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. One of her favorite places was her Aunt Leona and Uncle Ervie’s log cabin and family farm. She remained strongly connected to her roots in Mississippi and in recent years was so thrilled to reconnect and bond with many of her Martin cousins on a family Facebook group, and with Thomas relatives through an online ancestry group. She often reminisced of being a child and how much she loved going to greet her Daddy at the railroad station when he came home from work with the Illinois Central Railroad.
She spent her elementary years in Mendenhall, middle and high school in Jackson, then graduating from Central High School in 1955. She went on to become a graduate of Mississippi College in 1959. After graduation, Mary Emma and her friends visited Biloxi, Mississippi for a girls weekend. While there, they made the excursion out to Ship Island, where she met Jim Miller on the beach. Jim was in training with the Air National Guard in Biloxi at the time and was visiting Ship Island with his friends that same day. There was an instant mutual attraction between Jim and Mary Emma. They married in July of 1960.
Mary Emma spent her career teaching elementary and middle school students in Mississippi, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts. She later transitioned into administrative positions at New Hampshire Technical College and Brevard Community College. She was very dedicated to her students and colleagues throughout her career.
She immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on her family, friends, students, and coworkers. Her priority was always around making memories. Most special to her was sitting on a porch and spending time visiting. She was interested to know every detail about everyone and was so entertained with every update on the lives of her children and grandchildren. Nothing brought her more joy than knowing her whole family was happy and safe. She remembered every birthday and anniversary so they could be celebrated. So important in fact, that she would document these dates in calendars as her annual Christmas gift for family members.
She frequented the Chelmsford Senior Center, and loved playing bridge, scrabble, and cards with friends. In Mary Emma’s free time, she enjoyed crocheting and would make bed covers and afghans. Her most precious interest was her grandchildren. She remained loyal to picking them up from school, even on short notice. She enjoyed playing games with them, taking them out to eat or to get ice cream, and wanted to create memories they would remember.
Mary Emma will be remembered for her vibrant personality, and a great memory for people’s names. She was kind, loving, and had a welcoming approach towards all people she knew and met. Her stories always kept you engaged, along with her laughter that was purely contagious. She will be remembered for her efforts to stay in touch with family and friends over phone calls, emails, and leaving precious voicemails in her sweet southern accent.
Mary Emma is survived by her children, Terri Rodamer and her husband Jarrod of Merritt Island, FL, Steve Miller and his wife Amy of Chelmsford, and Marty Miller and his wife Jean of Chelmsford; and her 5 grandchildren, Melanie Audet, Patrick Miller, Jacob Miller, Ryan Miller, and Cody Miller. She also leaves behind dear loved ones, Jim Miller, and nephews Lynn Miller, Karl Miller, and Bary Miller.
Sadly, she is predeceased by her Mother and Daddy (Lois and Woodrow), and her beloved first dog, Poochie.
Funeral services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mary Emma’s memory to The Ability Experience, for the Nolan Carpenter Journey of Hope 2023. This charity, and Nolan’s family were very close to her heart: give.abilityexperience.org/fundraiser/4279074.
She was born in Water Valley, Mississippi on March 17, 1937, and was the only child of the late Woodrow and Lois (Thomas) Martin.
Mary Emma was raised in central Mississippi and treasured her years growing up with her many Thomas and Martin relatives. The fondest of her memories were summers spent scattered across the Mississippi communities of Kilmichael, French Camp, Silver Creek, New Hebron, Crooked Creek, Hooker, Rockport, and Mobile, AL, visiting her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. One of her favorite places was her Aunt Leona and Uncle Ervie’s log cabin and family farm. She remained strongly connected to her roots in Mississippi and in recent years was so thrilled to reconnect and bond with many of her Martin cousins on a family Facebook group, and with Thomas relatives through an online ancestry group. She often reminisced of being a child and how much she loved going to greet her Daddy at the railroad station when he came home from work with the Illinois Central Railroad.
She spent her elementary years in Mendenhall, middle and high school in Jackson, then graduating from Central High School in 1955. She went on to become a graduate of Mississippi College in 1959. After graduation, Mary Emma and her friends visited Biloxi, Mississippi for a girls weekend. While there, they made the excursion out to Ship Island, where she met Jim Miller on the beach. Jim was in training with the Air National Guard in Biloxi at the time and was visiting Ship Island with his friends that same day. There was an instant mutual attraction between Jim and Mary Emma. They married in July of 1960.
Mary Emma spent her career teaching elementary and middle school students in Mississippi, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts. She later transitioned into administrative positions at New Hampshire Technical College and Brevard Community College. She was very dedicated to her students and colleagues throughout her career.
She immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on her family, friends, students, and coworkers. Her priority was always around making memories. Most special to her was sitting on a porch and spending time visiting. She was interested to know every detail about everyone and was so entertained with every update on the lives of her children and grandchildren. Nothing brought her more joy than knowing her whole family was happy and safe. She remembered every birthday and anniversary so they could be celebrated. So important in fact, that she would document these dates in calendars as her annual Christmas gift for family members.
She frequented the Chelmsford Senior Center, and loved playing bridge, scrabble, and cards with friends. In Mary Emma’s free time, she enjoyed crocheting and would make bed covers and afghans. Her most precious interest was her grandchildren. She remained loyal to picking them up from school, even on short notice. She enjoyed playing games with them, taking them out to eat or to get ice cream, and wanted to create memories they would remember.
Mary Emma will be remembered for her vibrant personality, and a great memory for people’s names. She was kind, loving, and had a welcoming approach towards all people she knew and met. Her stories always kept you engaged, along with her laughter that was purely contagious. She will be remembered for her efforts to stay in touch with family and friends over phone calls, emails, and leaving precious voicemails in her sweet southern accent.
Mary Emma is survived by her children, Terri Rodamer and her husband Jarrod of Merritt Island, FL, Steve Miller and his wife Amy of Chelmsford, and Marty Miller and his wife Jean of Chelmsford; and her 5 grandchildren, Melanie Audet, Patrick Miller, Jacob Miller, Ryan Miller, and Cody Miller. She also leaves behind dear loved ones, Jim Miller, and nephews Lynn Miller, Karl Miller, and Bary Miller.
Sadly, she is predeceased by her Mother and Daddy (Lois and Woodrow), and her beloved first dog, Poochie.
Funeral services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mary Emma’s memory to The Ability Experience, for the Nolan Carpenter Journey of Hope 2023. This charity, and Nolan’s family were very close to her heart: give.abilityexperience.org/fundraiser/4279074.