Mrs Clara Edith Cowan Ritter

Clara Edith Miller Ritter Born in Blanco, Texas March 31, 1920. Lifelong resident of Texas until moving to Maggie Valley, NC in 1997. Passed away Sunday, November 23, 2008 at Autumn Care after a brief stay. Preceding her in death were her parents Levie Cravatt and Troy Cowan of Austin, Texas, husbands James G. (Bo) Miller of Austin, TX and Thomas P. Ritter of Austin, TX. She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Myrtle (Dale) Glover, Ivy Moehler, Barbara Travis, Curtis Alma Ervin; two brothers Monroe and Ernest Cowan, all of Texas. Survived by sons, Jim (Jimbo) Miller and wife Beverly of Maggie Valley, NC; Mayburn Miller and wife Cheryl of Hot Springs, Ark., grandson, Jimmy Miller of Leicester, NC, granddaughters Dawn and Amber Miller of Hot Springs, Ark; four great grandchildren, Shelby Leigh Miller and Patrick Thomas Miller of Leicester, NC and Blaine and Leroy Miller of Hot Springs, Ark; four brothers, Les Cowan and wife Nancy of Jonathan Creek, NC, Ray Cowan of Kingsland, Texas, Jimmy Cowan and wife Tommye of Plano, Texas, Bill Cowan and wife Laney of Marble Falls, Texas, Mike Ross and wife Lynn of Austin, Texas; and many special nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews of Texas; and very special niece Cammy Cowan of Jonathan Creek. Also “adopted� daughter, Barbara Jean Lewis Shidner of Gaffney, SC. She and husband, “Bo� Miller were the founders of Soco Gardens Zoo in 1954 which was located in Maggie Valley. She was a devoted Mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved to cook for her family. She was also an avid hunter and loved to fish. She was a member of United Methodist Church of Maggie Valley. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, November 29, 2008 at United Methodist Church of Maggie Valley with the Reverends Richard Buff and Erma Bond officiating. Burial will be in TEC Cemetery in Austin, TX. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Maggie Valley, 4192 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751. An online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com sponsored by the staff of Garrett Funerals and Cremations.