SYKESVILLE, Md. — Elizabeth Taylor Miller, 93, departed this life on Monday, May 1, 2017, after a long illness.
She was born in Berlin, Virginia, to Bob Pate Taylor and Annie Barlow Taylor.
After high school, Elizabeth continued her education at Madison College (now JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, graduating in 1946 with a B.S. in education. While there she met her beloved husband, Lloyd, and they married in 1946 after his return from the Pacific Theatre during WWII. They moved to Richmond, Virginia, where they lived until Lloyd accepted a position with Esso in Charleston, West Virginia.
While in Charleston, she was active in her church, Christ Church United Methodist. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, tutored students in reading, visited homebound church members, participated in many church programs and fundraisers and served on the administrative board.
When her children were grown, Elizabeth returned to teaching. She attended classes at Marshall and West Virginia universities to get her master’s degree and re-certification. She taught Home Economics at East Bank High School and Horace Mann Junior High until she retired in 1986.
Elizabeth was also active in the community, volunteering for the Charleston Regatta and Taste of Charleston for many years. She was a member of the DAR, WV Chapter of PEO, WV Orchid Society and Kanawha Valley Quilters. She delivered books to schools in the valley for the Kiwanis’ Read a Loud program. She lived in Charleston until Lloyd’s death in 2004.
Known to her friends as Lib, her quirky sense of humor and her penchant for educating everyone ensured that she was loved, admired, respected and cherished by all who knew her. She was a great believer in the power of the handwritten thank you note, linens on the table, and flowers to decorate her home.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Anne T. Wegman of Anamosa, Iowa; brother, Robert P. Taylor of Smithfield, Virginia; and Lloyd, her husband of 58 years.
She is survived by her sister, Louise T. Felts of Ivor, Virginia; daughters, Sherrod M. Schulze (John) of Glenwood, Maryland, and Williamsburg, Virginia; and Cynthia M. Hastings (James) of Charleston; sons, Paul W. Miller (Coleen) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; Reid H. Miller (Holly) of Wake Forest; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The memorial service is planned for June 3, at noon in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, 3289 Spotswood Trail (Rt. 33E) in Harrisonburg, to be followed by a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Plecker Center at the JMU Arboretum, 780 University Blvd., Harrisonburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Copper Ridge Memory Care at 710 Obrecht Road, Sykesville, MD 21784, or your local Alzheimer’s Association.