With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Barbara Thee Miller, 98 of Maitland, FL on December 17, 2023. Barbara was born in Jefferson City, Missouri to parents Orlando and Ruth Thee, deceased. She is also predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Joseph Miller and a sister, Beverly Thee Evans.
Barbara was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she met and married Joe. She was a loving military wife, homemaker and seamstress. They were stationed in many places in the U.S. and traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East while in the service, including 2 years in Turkey.
After Joe’s military retirement they moved to Florida and joined Maitland Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School, was Vacation Church School Director, active as an Elder, Deacon, choir member, PW moderator and volunteer for almost 60 years.
Barbara was a reporter, photographer, columnist and theater reviewer for the Sun Herald Newspaper in Winter Park and wrote “Maitland Matters” column. She wrote a local political column for the Orlando Sentinel Evening Star. She was the founder and co-owner of The Sewing Studio in Maitland, president of Maitland Fine Arts Association and active in the Seminole Quilters group. She was well known for her quilts and left many as her legacy to her family.
Barbara is survived by daughter Cheryl Harkey (Dick) and son Bruce Miller. She is also survived by grandchildren, Greg Griffing (Shannon), Maryanne Harkey, and 3 great-grandchildren, Kelsey Weiss (Kenny), Morgan Griffing and Jacob Harkey.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Maitland Presbyterian Church, 341 North Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751.