Lelia Ruth Miller

Lelia Ruth Miller passed away on November 9, 2024 at home at the age of 97.  Born in Iredell, Texas on March 2, 1927 to Irene and Harvey Houston and orphaned at an early age. She and her sisters Lucy and Helen were raised by her Aunt Mary in Hillsboro, Texas. She graduated high school in Hillsboro and later graduated from Hill Junior College, where she met her husband S. T. (“Buddy”) Miller.  They married in 1948 and moved to Lubbock, where Buddy studied geology at Texas Tech.  A series of moves related to Buddy’s work took her to Roswell, New Mexico; Jackson, Mississippi; Fort Worth; Caracas, Venezuela, and finally Midland in the first dozen years of their marriage. During all this commotion she worked hard at raising three children, sometimes moving every year, for the last time in 1964.  Long active in the civic and social life of Midland, she enjoyed entertaining her many friends, family, and friends of family of all ages.

Ruth was the pole star around whom four generations of family and friends slowly orbited, her house on Seaboard Street a refuge and beacon.  In the sixty years she lived there she taught all of them what was real and what was important in life.

Few were the problems that were not fixed or at least greatly ameliorated by her lasagna and listening ear and empathy.  Her steadfast presence in moments of need—her simply being there—did more good for its recipients than she ever knew.  Guided by a deep faith, she always managed to accept great misfortune with equanimity.  Her welcoming, friendly manner and kindness will be sorely missed.

Ruth is preceded in death by her sisters Lucy and Helen Houston; her husband Buddy, and her daughter Jan DeVault.  She is survived by her son A. Lee Miller and daughter Kay Brahaney and her husband Tom Brahaney of Midland, as well as four grandchildren, Bryan Devault and his wife Ariette of the Woodlands, Texas; Chris DeVault and his wife Chelsey; Scott Monette and his wife Mirta; and Jeff Monette and his wife Natasha of Katy, Texas, as well as ten great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park, Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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