Mary Barbara Whitelaw Miller

OZARK… What a kick in the pants. Mary B. Miller passed away on April 1, 2025. (We will get to that later) She was born on November 29, 1935, was 89 years old, and had a wonderful life. She was loved by many, feared by most, and was a cheater at cards. She wanted everyone to know that after she died, as she took all your quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Thank you for putting her two sons through college. She was motivated!

Born in West Point, New York, to wonderful parents, John Whitelaw and Emma Ranney, with endless opportunities, squandered by the consumption of Gordons Gin and the smoking of Moore’s cigarettes. Until she met an amazing soldier by the name of Andrew John Miller. He was patient and wise and had a hell of a sense of humor. For god’s sake he continued to implore her to quit drinking, smoking, cheating, and to go to bed!

This soldier beat her to the glory of God knowing he could never get her to stop the party. He welcomes her with open arms and a soft kiss on the lips. She is survived by her oldest son John W. Miller, and his wife Sandi (last one to be flipped off by her), and Grandson Zach (Now married to Jessica) and Andrew R. Miller, the youngest son, his wife Kellie, and Granddaughters, Nicholette, Gabriella, and Kinslee.

Accomplishments? Fun! She was forever grateful to her extended family and friends. Suckers she would say, but in truth, gave her the continued belief that life was grand. They are listed, not for informational purposes, but because they were so much a part of her. Her brother Robert beat her in the race of death, but she has now slipped past her sister Nancy in that game. (It was always a competition with those three hats off to Nancy!)

Nieces and nephews: Susie and Ray Drummond, their children Jamie and Nick (Erica Lane and Livey). Jamie’s children: Ashley, Michael, and Katherine. Jay Whitelaw, her favorite! (Number one sucker) Scott Whitelaw, his children, Bo and Tori. Debbie (Waiting patiently and partner in crime) and Terry Griswold (In the same situation as AJM) their children Liz and Rob. Liz and Marcus Howel’s children Kailey and Logan. Rob and Nicole Griswold’s children Owen and Laney. Gay and George Patton, Great nephew John and wife Nat, their children Lauren and Dillon. Great niece Laura and husband, Lamont, with their children Morgan and Wyatt. Lynn Dawson and husband Reid. Robert Ernst, her second favorite.

These mentioned nieces and nephews will remember her for many things. Grand Haven, Pine Hurst, puzzles, sunsets, cocktails, cards, Thanksgivings and discussions about life. We will always remember her snort, as it was a tell of her cheating while playing any game. We will always remember the good times with Barbar, and as reminded by Cousin Gay, “what could be more fitting than the passing of life of this dame on April fool’s day!”

She suffered no pain in her passing and in spite of her wishes to forgo any type of ceremony celebrating her passing we would ask her family and friends to join us at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home, 508 Faust Ave, Ozark, Al 36360 on April  5, 2025, at 2:00. An internment will be at Ft. Mitchel National cemetery, with a date to be determined.

Flowers are acceptable. Please be advised that there will be no restitution for any of the monies she stole from you. However, you can always donate on her behalf to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, Al 36104, splcenter.org.

God, you blessed this one, and we are so grateful for that. You have shaken your head at her escapades, but we know that the prayers of her family and friends are strong and should be enough to help her on her journey to you. Finally, when she convinces you to give it a go at Gin Rummy, always cut the cards. In Jesus name, Amen.