Virginia Ruth Miller
Nov. 22, 1922 – Dec. 15, 2021
Virginia Ruth Miller, 99, of Sheridan, passed away at her daughter’s home on Wednesday evening, Dec. 15, 2021.
Born Nov. 22, 1922, in Lebanon, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Clarence B. and Edna Mae (Wills) Reddick.
Ms. Miller was a graduate of Sheridan High School and would later go to work for Biddle Manufacturing. She started out on the assembly line and later moved over to tool crib. She retired after 26 years of dedicated service. For many, retirement is the time to slow down and relax, but Ms. Miller did just the opposite. She now had the time to devote to the thing that truly made her happy – helping others. Even before retirement, she was quietly lending a hand to those who needed it the most.
Ms. Miller, her sister, Phyllis and a small group of dedicated people from the Sheridan community commandeered a portion of the First Christian Church basement and started M.A.M.A.’s Cupboard. The Cupboard has grown over the years, eventually gaining nonprofit status and continuing to serve the residents of the Sheridan area in a variety of ways. Ms. Miller began her retirement adventures by volunteering at Riverview Hospital. Working as a transporter within the hospital turned into a new career path of sorts. Ms. Miller already knew many of the patients at the hospital from her years living and working in Sheridan, and those that she didn’t know, well…. it didn’t take long for that to change.
Over the next 26 years, Ms. Miller would minister, in her own way, to those who needed her the most, even if they didn’t know it at the time. She had the gift of making you feel like she had known you your entire life and could instantly put you at ease by simply showing up to wheel you down to where you were needing to go. Ms. Miller also helped to deliver Meals on Wheels, helping to brighten the days of those she visited as only she could. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet, Ms. Miller always looked forward to working at Stuckey Farm Market when it was cider pressing season.
She was an active member of the Sheridan First Christian Church, where she was a member of their Classic Singles group. Her favorite Classic Singles outings were their trips to Beef and Boards. She was a member of the Ladies Aid at Christian Liberty Church, and always enjoyed attending church dinners at Terhune United Methodist Church. She also never missed an opportunity to play a little BINGO.
Traveling was something that Ms. Miller enjoyed very much. She participated in many of the Mystery Trips bus tours through the Sheridan Rotary Club. She always wanted to travel to Ireland to see the flowers, but travel abroad was never a reality for Ms. Miller – not until technology and the help of her grandson made it possible. What began as a conversation about grandma’s bucket list ended with Ms. Miller, through the use of virtual technology, being able to not only experience Ireland’s beautiful scenery, but to see Jerusalem as well.
Family was very important to Ms. Miller. She taught them much about strength of character, devotion to family, and dedicating your life to helping those around you. She led by example, leaving those around her a perfect roadmap for how to live their best lives. She will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Survivors include her daughters, Connie R. (Brian) Wright of Frankfort, and Deborah E. (Darel) McCorkel of Kokomo; nine grandchildren, Angela Lynn Miller, Kristie (Paul) Weerts, Michael Henderson, Stephanie (Andy) Smith, Melissa Wright, Amy Wright, Kevin Kinkead, Jr., Tricia Kinkead, and Robin (Robert) McLean; 26 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; three brothers, Donald Gene Reddick, Lyle Richard Reddick and William L. Reddick; five sisters, Mary Rose Martin, Marcella Ann Edwards, Linda Lou Lewis, Nancy Sue Morris and Beverly I. Trecher; many nieces and nephews; and by her very protective grand-pooches, Cody Ray, Tobyboy and Julio.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steven Ray Miller; daughters, Anita Sue Henderson and Deanna Donica; grandson, Kevin Mark Henderson; brothers, Alonzo and Carroll Reddick; and sister, Phyllis J. Manier.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Ind., with Visitation from Noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Elder Sharron Wilson will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be presented to Kercheval Funeral Home, P.O. Box 42, Sheridan, Ind. 46069, to help with funeral expenses.