Elizabeth B. Miller
Obituary
Elizabeth Butler Miller (Betty), 94, of Tulsa, OK passed away on August 24, 2021 in Tulsa, OK after a three-week battle with COVID -19.
Betty was born in Memphis, TN to F. Warren Butler and Mary Whitney (Vinton) Butler on October 2, 1926. She moved with her family to Tulsa in 1944 and was graduated from Holland Hall School in 1945. Betty attended Bennett Junior College in Millbrook, NY where she majored in art. After returning to Tulsa, she met and fell in love with Dave Miller, and they were married in 1949. Betty was artistic and loved to paint, sew and refinish “antiques” when she wasn’t busy raising three children, to whom she was devoted until the day she died. Betty began to lose her sight in her early 40’s and faced that loss with grace and courage. She spent 6 months at Arkansas Enterprise for the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas where she became fluent in Braille and developed mobility and life skills that amazed everyone she met. At that time, Betty was an active member of the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges where she found purpose in reaching out to the newly-blind to whom she was always willing to offer support and friendship.
Betty was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. A lifelong Episcopalian, Betty enjoyed the fellowship of the women in St. Barbara’s Guild.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Dave Miller and her granddaughter, Ellen Runge. She is survived by her three children: Susan Scott (Jack) and Virginia Miller of Tulsa, OK and Vinton Miller of Santa Fe, NM, grandchildren Davidson Runge (Cynthia), Philip Scott, Justin Scott (Amy), Lexa Hughes, Eric Urbach (Amy), her great grandchildren, Cameron, Brianna and Sierra Urbach, Isaac and Nick Ruiz, Ailan Newhouse, Jordan Scott, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
The family wishes to extend our gratitude to Montereau At Warren Woods for the love and care they provided over Betty’s many years there. We especially want to thank Deborah McWatters, her primary caregiver, who made it possible for Betty to have Zippy, an amazing little dog, in her life. In honor of Betty’s life, donations may be sent to the Montereau Employee Appreciation Fund at 6800 S. Granite Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74136.
A memorial service at St. John’s Episcopal Church will take place when it is safer to gather together.
Events
Tributes & Memories
I met Betty around 1983. She and her husband, Dave, were living in a duplex off Harvard around 56th street. She had requested orientation and mobility lessons from the Department of Rehabilitation (Visual Services) so she could walk around in her neighborhood safely and independently as a blind traveler. She had learned most of her blindness skills at a rehab center in Arkansas and wanted to practice them. When we first met we had an instant connection. She had cousins living in my hometown-Sarasota FL. As we talked we learned that I knew her second cousins as we had taken piano lessons from the same teacher and had been in recitals together. Over the years we worked occasionally on mobility and became friends as well. Whenever Betty moved we worked on orientation to her new house and surroundings. She also enjoyed our Older Blind Program client get togethers where she could visit and encourage other people who had lost their vision sharing her knowledge with them. One memory of Betty is watching her iron her husband’s shirts. She was so calm and patient taking her time to line up the seams and she pressed it perfectly. It was so soothing to watch her. That’s the impact she had on me -very soothing. When she moved to Montereau she was pretty apprehensive about learning her way around. Betty wanted to be as independent as possible. With practice and determination she mastered it. I was so proud of her as it was a massive undertaking. A funny story Betty told was that after my dad moved to Montereau in 2006 he and Betty became friends and occasionally would walk to dinner or some other location in the facility. Betty told me one time he was “helping” her walk somewhere. Well my dad had a terrible sense of direction and got them lost in the massive building. Betty asked him to tell her what he saw and then SHE re-oriented them to find their way! Betty was always supportive and kind no matter what the conversation. She was always gracious, never complained, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Betty loved her family and was very proud of her three children and spoke of them often. She also loved dogs-especially Fancy and Zippy. Betty had a sweet tooth and over the recent years we would discuss politics, family, and good books to read all while munching on homemade cookies, toffee, and other goodies! Betty was a very special person who had a strong impact on me. I just want to say Betty I feel honored to have been your friend and thank you for all you did for me, I’ll miss you and our talks. My condolences to all your family and may good memories help them through this time. Much love Cheryl McCarroll
Cheryl McCarroll