Kay Patricia Miller

You could almost hear the music. Was it Bobby McGee, Delta Dawn, or Amazing Grace; maybe just the soft strum of a guitar. Patty, with her amazing gift of the written word, would probably tell you it was the wind whispering through towering trees, the gurgle of river water over ancient rocks, or the kind of music that steals your soul and never, really leaves. She would weave you a tale of laughter, love, loss, silver, or the power of moonlight. It would be family that would knit her words together to make the story whole. It would be the storyteller's infectious laugh, warm hugs, stubborn grit, and soul as deep as a river. Patty would ask of you, is it life that brings you love or love that brings you life? She would leave that question as open-ended as her life, the answer as elusive as the rainbow bouncing under the cloud the afternoon she passed away. She would leave you with that last lingering gift, a quiet reminder of resilience, grace, and love. - All our Love Grammee - you were truly tall. Kay Patricia Day was born on June 14, 1943 to Kenneth Norris Day and Katherine Eloise Day. She married her Polytechnic High School sweetheart, Bobby Ed Miller on June 16, 1962. Both attended Texas Wesleyan College, and it was during this time that Patty gave birth to her two precious boys, Kelly Dean and Andy Scott. Rising to the challenge, both Patty and Bobby earned their Bachelor of Arts degrees, graduating together from Texas Wesleyan in 1966. Patty set sail on a lifelong teaching career as a high school substitute in Houston, Texas. She was then asked to start the Houston YMCA Kindergarten of North Shore, which grew to three classes while she was at the helm in the days before public schools offered kindergarten. In 1974, the ocean currents led Patty to Sheldon Jr. High teaching Spanish, English, and theatre, as well as writing the school district's news column in the Houston Sentinel. In 1979 wind filled the sails as Patty and Bobby moved back to his hometown of Menard, Texas. It would herald a decade of teaching at Menard High School, speech, ESL, Spanish, and English. Weekends and evenings found her coaching UIL poetry, prose, journalism, and one-act play to regional and state levels. Patty left Menard High School and embarked to Sterling City, where she instructed the gifted and talented program, co-directed one-act play, and started the school's first tradition of regional and state winning UIL literary teams. During this tenure, she wrote and co-directed the town's centennial play, IT WAS ONLY A DREAM. The last harbor lights brought her closer to home, where Patty steered Wall High School to the same levels of UIL success. Patty retired from teaching in 2004 with Wall High's Hawk Pride Award. During all her years of teaching, Patty also helped charter Menard's first EMS service. She instructed EMT and EMT Special Skills classes at night throughout the region. Patty also gave of her time tutoring GED students, serving as choir director at First United Methodist Church of Menard, serving as an officer in the Menard Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and served as historian for the Presidio de San Saba Restoration Association. She was a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, a life-time member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and a supporter of Menard's Historical Society and Mission Theatre Association. She also gave of her talents by serving as musician and speaker at numerous Emmaus Walks. Patty was bestowed many awards in her long career, a few in particular stood out among the long list of other accolades recognizing her passion in history and education. In 1993, Patty was given the Masonic Community Builders Award for being Menard's playwright, and director of A SONG OF SILVER, the town's widely acclaimed, historical musical, written and composed for the Bowie Days Celebrations, involving nearly 100 townsfolk each summer for 18 years. The play would garner the Menard Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2000. In 2010, a final honor was bestowed on Patty as she joined Bobby to be inducted in the Menard High School Hall of Fame. Upon retirement, Patty enjoyed a quiet life with Bobby at their home on the San Saba River, spending precious time with her granddaughters, grandsons, family, and many, many friends. Her greatest loves were her husband Bobby, her family, her love of music, writing, and her beautiful river; she would tell you that it never reveals its secrets. Patty is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Bobby Ed Miller. She is also survived by her sister Dana Day Morrow, of Georgetown; her son Kelly Dean Miller and his wife Diane Miller of Tomball, Texas; her son Andy Scott Miller and his wife Michelle Miller of Beaumont, Texas; granddaughters Alayna and Kaylyn; and grandsons Zachary, Jonathan, and Christopher. A celebration of life memorial for Patty will be held at 10:00 am on May 26, 2012 at Bobby and Patty's West 40 ranch. The address is 9475 US Highway 190 West located approximately 10 miles west of Menard on Hwy 190 also known as the Eldorado highway. Dress is casual attire. Please bring lawn chairs. In the event of rain, the memorial will be held at the American Legion Hall in Menard on US Highway 190. Arrangements are being made through Heritage Funeral Home in Menard, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of San Angelo Inc., P.O. Box 471, San Angelo, Texas 76902. "Listen with all your heart, hold it inside forever. You may find all your dreams have already come true. Look inside and find the part that's leading you. That's the beat of, oh it's the sweetest sound, that's the beat of the heart." -Warren Brothers 'Beat of the Heart'

Kay Patricia Miller

June 14, 1943 - May 11, 2012