Funeral services for Fayrene R. Miller, 81 of Larue are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Chapel of the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens with Bro. John Green and Bro. Mike Curry officiating. Burial will follow at Davis Cemetery in Athens.
She loved and served the Lord until her final breath on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in Athens. She was an active member of Lake Athens Baptist Church.
Fayrene was born Feb. 9, 1932 in Baxter, Texas to Claud Richardson and Artie Mae Baker Richardson. She lived her life in the Baxter Community where she met and married her lifelong love and best friend, Floyd Miller. During their 65 years together, Floyd and Fayrene were blessed with three children. Fayrene spent most of her days caring for younger siblings, raising her children and loving her grandchildren. When she did work outside the home, it was doing what she loved: baking for others. She spent several years as the head baker for New York Texas Cheesecake and often found herself in front of television cameras filming for Food Network and local news stations. Although the spotlight was not her comfort zone, she handled it with the grace of a true, southern lady.
Nannie’s favorite moments were those when she was surrounded by her family laughing and recalling stories about the “olden days.” Nannie’s kitchen was a magical place where meals were prepared and served with love. The freezer was always stocked with each child’s favorite treat. Stories and laughs were freely shared. Tears were wiped away and “boo-boos” were treated with a healthy dose of “monkey’s blood.” A woman of few words, Nannie taught us by example to love unconditionally, serve humbly and give freely of ourselves. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed.
Fayrene was preceded in death by her husband Floyd Miller; parents Claud and Artie Mae Richardson; granddaughter, Shannon Mills; brothers, Clarence Richardson, Jimmy Glen Richardson, Billy Richardson, Ronnie Richardson and Truitt Richardson; sisters Mary Lou Richardson, Zephie Burch and Betty Neely; daughter-in-law Merrilee Miller.
She is survived by sons, Wayne Miller and wife Linda of Athens, Darrell Miller and wife Sherri of LaRue; daughter Brenda Ward and husband David of LaRue; brother and sister-in-law Larry and Louise Richardson; sisters and brothers-in-law Frances and Bobby Smith, Suella and Harold Clark, all of LaRue, sisters Bonnie Smith and Deanne Richardson of LaRue; sisters-in-law Ann Richardson and Andrea Richardson of LaRue; grandchildren, Lisa and Nick Rosenberg, Brent and Kali Miller, Krystal Miller, all of Athens, Jason and Ashley Miller, Kevin and Amber Ward of LaRue; step-grandchildren, Kasey and Tyler Roof of Dallas, Cody DeMars of LaRue, Nicole and Robbie Ballard of Mineola, Megan Combs and Todd Fowler of Grand Saline, James Bedard of Athens and Ken Bedard of Clute; fourteen wonderful great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Mark Richardson, Russell Richardson, Kenneth Neely, Robert Duhon, Stephen Clark, Roger Richardson, Aubrey Ward and James Bedard.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2013 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
You may light a candle or write condolences to Mrs. Miller’s family at www.hannigansmith.com.