Mary Miller

A Life Well Lived

Mary Sabb Miller, widow of the late Hubert Miller, was born on August 11, 1937, in Davis Station, South Carolina to the late Tommie Sabb and Leila Riley.  She received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County, South Carolina.

In 1958, Mary relocated to New York City in pursuit of employment and career opportunities.  She became employed  with New York State Developmental Disabilities and remained there for twenty-five years. Mary loved her job and provided essential support to residents who were unable to fully care for themselves.  As a mental health worker, she provided medical care, activities of daily living skills to individuals suffering with  mental and disability challenges.  Mary was privileged to work with nurses, doctors, psychologists, physical therapist, and occupational therapist to meet the needs and challenges of residents.  These overall functions helped to ensure a comprehensive care plan to enable residents to maximize their full potential.  She was a dedicated worker and received outstanding work performance ratings, earning the respect of her Team Leader and colleagues.  Mary made a difference in the lives of the residents she came in contact with.  She retired in 2002.

After retirement Mary made a commitment of dedication to Jehovah. She was baptized on April 20, 1996, and attended the Rockaway Boulevard Congregation of Jehovah's Witness located in Jamaica, New York. Mary dedicated a portion of her life pioneering for Jehovah. One of her favorite places to witness was on Foch Boulevard in Queens, New York, at the United States Post Office.

Mary loved her family and took the time to show them what love really meant. She lived her life so that her children and grandchildren could have a better life and she made sure that they understood the importance of 'family love'. Mary also enjoyed sewing and cooking, especially for large family gatherings, but her greatest pastime was gardening.  She spent hours tending to her fruits and vegetables and she shared her harvest with her family and friends.  Her flower garden became her joy and delight.  It was so beautiful that it brought people in off of the street to just get a view.  She had a special way with plants and her love for them showed.  If we had a flower for every time we think of her, we could walk in our own garden forever.

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, our beloved, Mary Miller, went home to glory.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Tommie Sabb and Leila Riley Pina; husband, Hubert Miller; daughter, Gloria Williams; sons-in-law, Perry Sanders, Jim Bowens, Andrew Gillians and Leroy Walker; daughter-in-law, Beverly Glover; sisters, Lillie Mae Hilton, Celestine Sabb, Ida Mae Broadwater and Maria Pina; brothers, Tommie Lee Sabb, Willie Albert Sabb, Roosevelt Sabb and Lonnie Sabb.

Mary leaves to cherish her precious memories:  four daughters, Mae Ellen (Joyce Crawford) of Jacksonville, FL, Georgeysteen Sanders of Greenville, NC, Denise Walker of Brooklyn, NY, and Anita Williams of Hagerstown, MD; two sons, Gary Glover of Brooklyn, NY and Michael (Lydia) Glover of Queens, NY; thirteen grandchildren, Rashawn Richardson, Korron Richardson, Lorenzo Bowens, Kilrail Bowens,  Kendra Bowens, Trevor Bowens, Kimberly Bowens, Teddy Williams, Jr., Isaac Williams, Jamel Glover, Tyrell Glover, Michael West and Anthony West;  twenty four great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; five sisters, Christine Ziglar of West Palm Beach, FL, Jean Doughty of Wilmington, NC, Shelia Beaman of Mt. Clemens, MI, Elizabeth Freeman of Wilmington, NC and Flora Pina-Flowers of Hartford, CT; one brother, Joseph Pina of East Hartford, CT; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL  32073. Visitation will be on Friday, April 7, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

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