Mary F. (Leonard) Miller (1926 - 2018)

Biography

OBITUARY: The snowflakes began to fall as Mary left us and walked through the pearly gates. She passed peacefully Wednesday morning surrounded by family.

Mary was born January 24, 1926, in Elk City, Oklahoma to Mamie G. and Foster Leonard, Sr. She was a sister to Aldena and Alice “Ruth” as well as her brothers, Franklin Delano “Jack” and Foster, Jr “Bud”. She grew up working the ranch and picking cotton with Bud. Dad also grew peanuts and sorghum. Every Christmas Eve, the family roasted peanuts on the fire. The family lovingly nicknamed her “Mary, Mary quite Contrary.” In 1945, Mary graduated in a class of six from Meridian High School. Around this time, she married a hired hand on the ranch. The families did not embrace this marriage and it was quickly dissolved. She was registered to attend college at Weatherford, OK, to study Home Economics. Unfortunately, her dad died in a car accident May 8, 1945, and she returned to work at the family ranch. In 1948, she moved to Amarillo, TX, and attended beauty school. In 1950, she married George Luther “GL” Johnson. Together they had a daughter, Beverly Ann. Two years later, cancer took GL. Mary and Beverly continued living in Amarillo where Mary worked as a cosmetologist. In 1958, Mary met Norval Miller. Norval and Mary began dating with Beverly accompanying them on every date. They courted for three years. One day Norval said, “We should get married” and then presented her with a ring on April 1, 1961. On July 16, 1961, in a quaint backyard ceremony, with Ruth and Winfrey Moore as their witnesses, Mary and Norval married and instantly became a family of three with Beverly. Norval worked for the Corps of Engineers and the small family moved from Amarillo to Lubbock, on to Wichita Falls, and White Sands—they were headed to Fort Worth, when the family settled in Albuquerque which became their forever home in 1964. On December 6, 1966, they welcomed their son, Larry. Their home was full of fun and laughter.

Mary was an active member of the church. She recruited friends to join, took baskets to shut-ins, and worked with CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) to make sure the Storehouse received peanut butter and tuna, the Ronald McDonald house received soda tabs, and ensured St. Martin’s received new undergarments regularly. Mary was an avid bowler and boasted about her many turkeys and top bowling league score of 242 which held up an entire season. She loved to golf and continued well into her 80s. Above all, she enjoyed each of the friends she made along the way. Considering all her accomplishments and all the ways she made our world a better place—her heart belonged to her kids and grandkids. In 1985,

Beverly passed away with cancer, and Mary was able to move forward because of her grandkids and son. Mary was extraordinarily proud of her son Larry and his family. She reveled at how Larry took care of the yard especially in the spring—and became a good cook. Mary loved to listen to Nolan and Jillian play their instruments. She never tired of the pictures of Frank and Tiffany leading the marching band. She loved to watch Jillian skate, brag about Nolan playing high school golf, and never missed a soccer game. Her passion and love extended to her great-grandson, Austin as she shared his pictures and told stories to all her friends.

One of Mary’s favorite songs was “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by the Birds. The lyrics, “A time to be born, a time to die” are fitting as Mary was greeted at heaven’s gates by her husband, Norval; her sisters, Aldena and Ruth; her brother, Jack; her parents, Mamie and Foster, Sr.; daughter, Beverly; and step-son, Wayne. She is survived by her son, Larry and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Tiffany and husband Bryan, Frank and wife Maggie, Nolan, Jillian; great-grandson, Austin with a great-grandchild on the way.

Friends may visit Sunday, December 30, 2018, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas. Funeral Service will be held Monday, December 31, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Sombra del Monte Christian Church, 2525 Vermont St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please support the Storehouse, Ronald McDonald House, and St. Martin’s in her name.

Sources

• French Funerals & Cremations, New Mexico, United States [1] accessed 28 December 2018