Biography: Mrs. Fannie Oretta Miller, affectionately known as "Retta," was born on September 9, 1944, in the Township of Branchville, South Carolina. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie and Sallie Edwards Williams, sadly passed away before her. After a lengthy battle with illness, Retta peacefully passed away at the age of 80 on September 19, 2024, at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Retta graduated from Lockett School in Branchville, South Carolina in 1962. That same year, she married her soulmate and moved to Coronado, California, where her husband served in the Navy. Later, they moved to New York to be near their loved ones. In New York, Retta worked as a Telephone Operator for Bell Atlantic.
Taking care of her family was Retta's greatest joy. She cherished every moment spent with them, whether it was laughing and sharing stories or enjoying a delicious meal together. Her love for her family shone through in everything she did. Not only was she a wonderful mother and wife, but also a loving daughter, sister, and friend to all who knew her. Her cooking was legendary among her loved ones, and she always was available to make them feel special and loved. Retta's family was her top priority, and she never neglected them despite her many responsibilities.
She was known for her hard work and dedication to her husband's political career, even taking on the role of Campaign Manager for him. Her efforts paid off when her husband assumed the role of Mayor making her the First Lady of Branchville.
Retta gave her life to Christ early in life and was baptized at Canaan Baptist Church after moving back to her hometown. She served as President of the Canaan Baptist Church Missionary Society for many years.
Retta leaves to cherish her memories to her husband, Glenn Miller of 63 years; three sons, Glenn Miller II of Bronx, New York, Michael (Mary) Miller, of New York, and Nathaniel (Melanie) Miller of Kennesaw, Georgia; one daughter, Lorianne Miller of Branchville, South Carolina; seven grandchildren Nicole A. (Kieran) Johnson of Minneola, Florida, Michelle S. Miller of Jacksonville, Florida, Nathaniel “Nick” Miller Jr., and Whitney S. Miller both of Atlanta, Georgia, Nigel S. Miller of North, South Carolina, Makayla S. Miller and Malaysha S. Miller are both of the Bronx, New York, an adopted granddaughter Samara Richardson of Bronx, New York and a bonus grandson Ny’Shawn Wright of Rock Hill, South Carolina; two great-grandchildren Sydney N. and Skylar J. Johnson of Minneola, Florida; a sister Betty A. (Ernest) Henderson, a Goddaughter Kiesha Walker, a special friend Eddie(Linda) Johnny, Stockton, California, three dedicated Dialysis Technicians Chris, Jessica, and Kim, a host of other godchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She is preceded in death by siblings, Nathaniel, Johnny, Charles (Laverne), Eddie (Lucy), and Jimmy Williams, Jake Barnes, Carrie (Delmar) Goodwin, Sallie Brown, and Wendy Boone, in-laws Mckinley, James, Isaiah, Millie Sue, Marion, and Beatrice Miller.
