Charlene B. Miers

MIERS - Charlene B., died November 10, 2007, at her home in Tulsa, surrounded by her three children and husband. Charlene was born in Flushing, NY, May 25, 1944. She moved to Tulsa with her family at a young age to become a lifelong proud Oklahoman. She attended Tulsa public schools and graduated from Edison High School in 1962. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority, an honor roll student majoring in education, and completed her studies in three and one half years. She received a B.S. in Education degree from OU in 1966, Charlene began teaching elementary students in the spring of 1966 at the Falls School in rural Cleveland County near Norman while her husband completed studies at the OU law school. She then taught third grade in the Clover Park Schools, Tacoma, WA, in 1967-68, while her husband was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. After completion of his military service at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Leavenworth, KS, she returned to Tulsa in 1970, where she has since lived, except for a short period in Dallas while her husband completed a graduate law degree. From the time of returning to Tulsa, Charlene devoted herself to raising her three children, who were the joy of her life, and making her home a special place for them to grow up. Charlene continued to participate in volunteer and other service activities for young people and students. She was a member, active charitable fund- raising volunteer and served as the President of the Tulsa Chi Omega Alumnae Association, was a member of the Children's Day Nursery, served on the board of Emergency Infant Services organized to meet basic human needs of infants whose families are in crisis, and belonged to P.E.O. women's organization. Charlene acted as the OU Chi Omega chapter Tulsa alumnae rush coordinator for fifteen years. She was instrumental in establishing a tax-exempt educational organization in direct support of the OU Chi Omega chapter, and served as an advisor to the organization that receives grants and contributions for educational facilities and equipment, and scholarships. Throughout her children's student years, she contributed many hours of volunteer service in advancement of programs and fund raising for Holland Hall, Bishop Kelley and Cascia Hall schools in Tulsa. Charlene always appreciated the opportunity that attending the University of Oklahoma gave her to establish friendships with others and to improve herself through study and learning. The importance she saw in education carried over into opportunity and achievement by those close to her. After her own graduation from college, through a lot of unselfish sacrifice, support and constant encouragement, Charlene enabled her husband and three children to study for and obtain ten college undergraduate, post-graduate and professional degrees and certifications. She was a teacher by training and spirit. She had a gentle, natural way of talking and relating to infants and young people that they always warmed to and accepted with smiles and enthusiasm. Hers was a wonderful combination of beauty, intelligence, modesty, patience and a loving nature. Whether it came easily or with difficulty, she found real pleasure in the process of helping others learn new things. Charlene spoke softly, and for anyone who listened and shared in her thoughts and sense of humor, life was better. What she said never included a word of criticism of another person. She did not need or want attention for what she believed in or accomplished, did everything in a selfless way, and invariably put others first, before herself. Charlene's hobbies included painting, reading, sewing and knitting, antique shopping and spending as much time in her children's activities as possible. She loved the outdoors, growing beautiful flower and plant arrangements each season, holiday decorating, her dogs, taking walks with her family, family vacations to the Destin beach, OU football and the Pride of Oklahoma. The simple things meant most to her. Charlene was the very best friend of her children and husband. She instilled her values in her children that she knew important, to always keep your word, do your best and work hard, and always treat others politely and with kindness and respect. Her children, and with her grandchildren now, all gravitated back to the home she made for them. A wonderful cook, Charlene made dinner one of the best times for her family, and it was every night, no matter. It was always delicious, at home, and shared with talk, fun and laughter, which she enjoyed. Charlene has been a member of the parish of St., John's Episcopal Church in Tulsa since 1971. On her birthday in May, 2006, Charlene learned she had been stricken with a cruel, very aggressive and incurable disease despite her prior lifetime of good health, and for her, the easy, careful practice of self-discipline and best personal habits. She fought against this unexpected attack on her body with remarkable determination, bravery, faith and strength. She never let a most terrible disease or her fears of it and difficult treatment take away her beauty and strong beliefs in the good in her life and those she loved. Charlene sought and wanted the most promising treatment, including experimental therapies, despite the risk of harmful side effects. She never gave up even in the face of discouraging findings and overwhelming physical and emotional challenges. She had so much to live for and fought to the very end to do it. Charlene's family wishes to thank Drs. Steven Wiseman, Eric Sherburn and Joseph P. Lynch of Tulsa, Drs. Henry S. Friedman and David A. Reardon of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, and especially Dr. Virginia I. Stark-Vance, Dallas, Texas, and the many caring assistants who worked with them, for their preeminent medical skills, courage and initiative, in helping her fight a devastating disease and to save her life. Charlene is survived by: her husband of 41 years, Sheppard F. Miers, Jr.; her daughter, Meredith Anne Miers, Oklahoma City, her daughter, Megan Elizabeth Miers, Tulsa; and her son, Sheppard Forrest Miers, III, and his wife Kristi, Tulsa, and their children; and Charlene's adored grand children, Sheppard Forrest Miers, IV and Vivian Lundy Miers. She is also survived by: her parents, Angelo C. Bidasio and Mary C. Bidasio, Tulsa; her brother, John A. Bidasio, Pasadena, CA, and her brother, Robert P. Bidasio, Cleveland, OK, and their families. Charlene's family encourages friends to contribute to their favorite school, college or educational foundation in her memory, or to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center. Funeral service 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at St. John's Episcopal Church, with private interment with immediate family to follow. Fitzgerald Southwood, (918) 291-1500. Charlene B. Miers VIEW AND SIGN THE ONLINE GUEST BOOK: www.legacy.com/tulsaworld