Dollie Mae Miller

Dollie Mae Miller was born October 12, 1935 in Forrest City, AR. to Handsome and Ethel Carson. She professed her Christian faith at an early age and worshiped, as a young believer, in the Church of God in Christ. She married Thomas Miller, Sr, and converted to Catholicism, where she actively served in the “Knights of St. Peter Claver Ladies.” Ten children were born from their union, six daughters and four sons. She divorced at the age of 34 and proceeded to raise her family as a single-parent.

Dollie worked hard to make sure her family was provided for. She took on various jobs, working as a school crossing guard, a keypunch operator at M & I Bank and finally retiring from Milwaukee County Children Services after thirty years of service. She believed in and stressed the importance of education, encouraging her children to attend college. She proved it’s never too late to continue your education. At the age of 57, she pursued a life-long goal. While working full time, she attended night school for three years and earned her high school diploma. This was a great accomplishment for her. An article of this achievement was featured in the Milwaukee Journal. After obtaining her high school diploma, she attended Marion College, where she took a few courses working toward a degree in social work.   

Dollie was a great seamstress. In her younger years, she made clothes for her children, learned to make drapes, upholster furniture and taught her daughters how to sew. She was also an avid gardener. For many years she won accolades, in her home of fifty years, for her beautiful lawn and flowers. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman – “Her children will rise up and call her blessed. Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all.”

Thomas Jr. was the eldest son of Dollie Mae and Thomas Miller, Sr. He was born October 2, 1957. He was educated in the Milwaukee Public School System, where he excelled as an athlete in multiple sports and graduated in 1976. He prided himself in being neat and organized and used those skills, during most of his employment, working in the cleaning and janitorial industry.

Dollie gained her heavenly wings on May 8, 2020 along with her oldest son; Thomas Jr. who passed on May 13, 2020. Both succumbed to the Covid-19 virus.  They are preceded in death by four of her children and his siblings: Sylvia Miller Carter, Gloria A. Miller, Michael and James Anthony (Tony) Miller. They leaves to mourn their passing her four siblings: Early, Larry, Vernice and Izel;  her five children and his siblings: Susan Miller, Maggie L. Miller, Barbara J. Miller, Linda Erkins and Dayron L. Miller, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-children and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

God saw the road was getting rough, the hills were hard to climb. He gently closed those loving eyes and whispered, “Peace Be Thine” They will be sorely missed and loved always. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Captiol Drive, Milwaukee, WI from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. An additional visitation will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2020 at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Captiol Drive, Milwaukee, WI from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM with Funeral Service to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery following service.