Betty Lou Miller, 86, former resident of Springfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2020 at the Westminster Place in Evanston, IL. Betty was born on March 19, 1934. She graduated from La Plata High School, where she was involved in glee club, band, and drama. She was active in the La Plata Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and performed special numbers with her sister. Betty earned her teaching degree at Kirksville State Teachers College, now Truman State University. After her father's death in 1962, Betty shared her home in California with her widowed mother until her mother's death in 1994. In the last few years of her mother's life, Betty was both her companion and nurse. Her sacrificial devotion to her family revealed itself in many ways, but was especially evident in her devotion to her mother. After her mother died, Betty was the heart that kept the family connected. She remembered every birthday with cards and gifts. She helped plan and organize family reunions.
Her knowledge of family history was amazing. The rest of the family depended on her for dates and places of family events. In California, Betty was a devoted elementary school teacher, retiring from the West Covina Unified School District after serving 42 years as a first-grade teacher. She was twice the recipient of the district's Distinguished Teacher Award. She was a 40-year member of the Covina Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.
After retiring, Betty moved to Springfield, MO, to be near her four brothers and their families. While there she enjoyed her garden club and was a member of University Heights Baptist Church. After the death of her brothers, Betty moved to a retirement community in Illinois where her sister lived.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents: Elzie Irvin Miller and Laura Ethel Dorman Miller; her brothers Royal, Elzie, Milton and James; her sister Ella Mae. Survivors include her sisters Gaylia Sue Grant and Carol Ann Moore. She is survived by 19 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and several great-great nieces and nephews.

You may view the funeral on ZOOM, 9516700531, passcode Family.