Edythe Miller's Obituary
Edythe W. Miller, daughter of George N. and Edna McDaniel Wrinkle, was born April 7, 1919, near Hazelgreen, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, January 26, 2010, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety years, nine months, and nineteen days. On October 25, 1937, she was united in marriage to Floyd E. Miller, and to this union three daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd, on December 2, 1957; and an infant daughter, Annette Miller. Edythe is survived by two daughters, Jeanette Whipple, and Deanna Hite, and her husband, Dr. Dennis Hite, all of Lebanon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Steven Hite, and his wife, Jennifer, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Dr. Holly Bondurant, and her husband, Dr. Charles Bondurant, IV, of Columbia, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Garrett Hite, Haley Hite, Charles Bondurant, and Ruth Bondurant; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. She was born and raised on the family farm near Hazelgreen, Missouri, and attended Richland Schools, before graduating from Lebanon High School. She continued her education at Southwest Missouri State University, but after the first term, married her boyfriend, Floyd. They made their home in the Stoutland, Missouri area, and lovingly raised their daughters. Soon after the girls were in school, Edythe decided to go back to college and earned her Bachelors Degree in Science from S.M.S.U. She began her career as an educator starting as a first grade teacher at Maplecrest School in Lebanon. The next year, Edythe was offered a new position as the teacher of the first kindergarten class in Lebanon. Charting new territory and creating her own curriculum, she helped the district to organize a program for which she was the chairperson. She also was recognized as the renowned kindergarten teacher of Missouri. Later, Edythe decided to pursue a degree in administration and earned her Masters in Administration Degree from Drury College. She eventually became the principal of Hillcrest Elementary School for several years before retiring after thirty years in education. Edythe made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon, where she was active in the choir for as long as her health allowed. She also was a Sunday school teacher for seventy years. She was involved in many civic organizations such as the Business and Professional Women’s Club, having organized several fashion shows and events for them, the Laclede County Historical Society, the Republican Women’s Club, the Kinderhook Library Board, and the Laclede County Retired School Personnel Organization. She had worked on betterment groups and helped Lebanon win the Government Awards Conference five times. She was a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club and helped in the beautification program of downtown Lebanon in 1983. She was the chairperson for the Bicentennial Ball in 1974, where she played the part of Dolly Madison. She was involved in establishing the Miss Merrie Christmas Pageants and then worked in the Miss Missouri and Miss America programs for several years. In 2005, she was the Grand Marshall of the Lebanon Christmas Parade and was honored as a member of the Wall of Honor in the Cowan Civic Center in 2006. She was talented in many ways, but especially in music and enjoyed playing the piano and singing throughout her lifetime. She loved to travel and had taken many excursions to far away places. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a local bridge club. She had a flare for decorating and fashion and truly had her own unique style. Her family was the center of her life and she was particularly proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which were the light of her life. Edythe was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was a wonderful neighbor and friend. Only God knows the lives that Edythe touched throughout the years, and her influence will be felt for generations to come. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m.on Friday January 29, 2010 at the First Baptist Church of Lebanon. Burial will be in Mt. Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday evening 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials have been established to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry or to the Esther Elementry Kindergarden Program. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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