Mary Valeta Miller

Our beautiful wife, mother and grandmother, Mary VaLeta Nevers Miller, age 85, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2016 at her home in South Jordan, Utah. She was surrounded by her loving husband and family as she was guided home by angels to her Heavenly Father.

Mary made her earthly arrival on November 27, 1931, in Scofield, Utah, the daughter of Nicholas George and Salina "Sally" Ethelyn Green. She was the second child of three and the first girl.  Mary had a happy childhood spending time with her family and friends.

Mary and her husband to be, Lewis Leon Miller, met in the second grade while attending Copperfield Elementary.  They both moved on to Bingham High School for their 7th through 12th grades.   Mary held many school offices, enjoyed sewing class and even had the lead in their school play, "A Date with Judy."  She was among the top six students in her graduating class.

Although Leon and Mary met in the 2nd grade, they did not date until their senior year in high school.  Leon's patience and persistence paid off in the end and the two soul mates fell deeply in love and began planning their lives together.

After graduation, Mary worked at a furniture and appliance store while Leon attended the University of Utah for one quarter and then joined the U.S. Navy.  Leon and Mary became engaged during his leave from basic training.  Leon was stationed in Yokohama and Yokusuka, Japan and exciting plans were underway for Mary to join him.

In January of 1953, Mary spent 17 days at sea traveling on the SS Young America to meet Leon in Japan.  They were so happy to be together again!  Leon and Mary shared a deep bond and adoration for each other and were not only sweethearts but the best of friends.  They were married not once, or even twice, but four times!  On February 2, 1953, they were married in Yokohama, Japan by the American Consulate.  Immediately followed  by a second ceremony required by the Japanese Prefecture Authority.  That night they were married by the LDS Mission President of Tokyo.  After living in Japan for 19 months they returned home to the United States where marriage number four took place in the Salt Lake Temple.

Mary Linda was born soon after they moved back to Utah. Followed by Richard Leon, Lynne and Lisa (still born twins), Michael Scott and Sharon Ann.

There are many memories of family fun shared over the years.  There were season tickets held for BYU, Disneyland, Lake Powell, annual deer hunts and both Green and Nicholls Family Reunions.

Leon and Mary's oldest daughter, Linda, was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 26.  When she passed away, Leon and Mary made the decision to raise her three children as their own.  Their adventures with family number two began, Ariel 5, Nic 3 ½, and DeNae 2.  These were happy but challenging years as they were starting over again with a young family in there 50's.  As any labor of love is concerned, they would not have had it any other way and are thankful for their time raising both families.

The child raising years were twice as long for Leon and Mary, they sacrificed immensely to provide the best for both of their generations.  Mary truly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They were her pride and joy.

Many years were spent multi-tasking as Mary juggled her responsibilities as wife, mother, grandmother and her countless callings in her church services.  It was during these busy and trying times Mary grew to love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and each experiences strengthened her testimony expontentially.

Mary's life was lived with love and dedication to her family and the LDS church.  She has shown immeasurable strength in periods of great sorrow as she lost three of her children, cared for loved ones through sickness until death, and met her own physical pain and discomfort head on in her later years.  For every challenge that was presented in her life, she consistently met it with humble courage and spiritual strength and persevered with grace and dignity.  Her beautiful light and spirit will remain in all of our hearts until we meet again.

Mary VaLeta's earthly journey has come to an end but her love, legacy, and strength live on in the lives of her family who loved her dearly.  She is survived by her loving and eternally devoted husband, Leon Miller; her children and spouses, Richard Miller and Rion Locke, Michael and Susan Miller, Sharon and Doug Warner; grandchildren and spouses, Ariel and Dave Sieverts, Nic and Jenni Wood, DeNae Wood Mollerup, Brittany and Chris Trimble, Jenna and Ryan Vavrosky, Jacob Miller, Rachel Miller; great-grandchildren, Rhett and Sequoia Sieverts, Peyton, Samantha, Logan and Preslee Wood, Noah and Liam Mollerup, Cole and Reese Trimble, and Kade and Tyce Vavrosky; also survived by her brother, William (Bill) Nevers.

Mary's next chapter in eternity began, as she was welcomed with open arms by her loved ones who preceded her in death, her parents, Nicholas and Sally Nevers; her sister, Norma Copeland; and her three daughters, Mary Linda Wood, Lisa and Lynne Miller.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the River Ridge First Ward, 10124 South 1300 West, South Jordan, Utah.  A viewing will be held Thursday, December 22, where friends and family may call from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the ward, as well as one hour prior to services.  Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens.

"A Mother's Hug lasts long after she lets go."