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Phyllis Miller Obituary
Ventura, CA
At the age of 85, Phyllis Jean Miller lost her battle with cancer and set off for her last adventure on May 30, 2017. Phyllis was born on May 1, 1932 in Wetumka, Oklahoma and was the oldest of five children born to Ira Bass and Bula Moore. Her siblings include Elsie Malm, Victorville, CA, Harvey Bass Moore, San Juan Capistrano, Colleen Toy White, Somis, CA, and Kay Koehn, Menifee, CA.
After graduating from High School, she attended Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University). She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics and earned a teaching credential. Phyllis was extremely proud to have graduated from Oklahoma State University. She imparted the importance of education to her children and stressed the value of a college degree. She often spoke of her pride in attending such a beautiful and renown University.
In 1955, she married Paul D. Miller and they moved to Dewey, Oklahoma where they started their family. In 1965 the family moved to Ventura where Phyllis returned to teaching Home Economics at Buena High School. Phyllis had an enormous passion for teaching and always enjoyed close relationships with her students. The courses she taught included the valuable life skills of cooking, sewing, marriage and family, and child development. She was a beloved staff member at Buena High and all four of her children were Buena High graduates.
When she would encounter former students, they would tell her that she had been their "favorite teacher" at Buena.
Phyllis was married for 48 years to Paul D. Miller who preceded her in death on July 10, 2003.
She will forever be remembered and missed by her daughters: Paula Miller, Ventura, Patricia and Scott Schrock, Moorpark, and sons Danny Miller (Angela Daniel-Gibson), Ventura and Gary and Vainui Miller, Papeete, Tahiti. Her five grandchildren that she loved so very much are Blain Miller, Ventura, Garrett Schrock, Moorpark, Cambria Miller, Ventura, Madison Schrock, Moorpark and Marania Miller, Moorpark. She will also be missed for her loving ways and hospitality by numerous nieces and nephews.
To sign the family's online guestbook, share stories, and post pictures please visit their website: www.dignitymemorial.com and enter Phyllis's name in the search.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis Miller
Nickey
June 10, 2022
Miss you Auntie Phil:) Always comforted by the time we had together and the memories we created...thank you for your kindness and love love you!
April 15, 2018
She was my sewing teacher when I spent an exchange year in Ventura and not only taught me how to sew everything from boxer shorts to my prom dress, but also made me feel at home in this quite different and big school. I am forever thankful to have taken her classes.
VERN AND PAT DORRELL
August 13, 2017
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF PHYLLIS'S PASSING , SHE WAS ALWAYS SO NICE TO ME WHEN PAUL AND I WERE FISHING FOR ALBACORE OR SCUBA DIVING FOR LOBSTER AND ABALONE, OR WHEN WE SPENT TIME AT MY RANCH. I MISS THEM BOTH A LOT EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T BEEN IN TOUCH FOR YEARS, I THINK OF THEM OFTEN.
Lera St. Louis
August 8, 2017
What a special teacher and Mentor! I was a new teacher at Buena in September 1990, hired 2 days before school began. I had come to Buena from a high school of 100 students and as the beginning of the school year grew closer I called Phyllis and said I wasn't sure I could handle this job with so many students. She asked me if the size of my classroom was any different or if the kids were any different--and of course I said no. So she told me to get to my classroom and get busy! Phyllis helped me through one of the most rewarding 11 years of my life! And I was privileged to watch her help student after student with life's challenges. She made all of our lives brighter and kinder!
Richard Smith
June 17, 2017
Phyllis was teaching at Buena High School when I first arrived as a science teacher. I will never forget her warm heart and welcoming attitude. She was a treasure that will surely be missed.
June 17, 2017
I have so many fond and happy memories of my Auntie Phil. I remember growing up and spending time with her and my Uncle Paul. She made the most amazing cinnamon toast and when I would visit she would make me a whole sheet of them! I don't think I ever told my mom that...Lol! I remember her being so loving and caring but not just to me but to everyone. She always made me feel so welcomed and I can remember watching her as she sewed valances and things for her home and others. I thought sewing was truly the most amazing thing...she was amazing!! I also remember her waving goodbye to Uncle Paul and I as we road down the street on our bicycles to start our biking adventures, we would be gone for hours and when we returned she was always there to greet us with a smile. She shared endless stories about her teaching and her students with me which always made me want to help and encourage others. She was truly so giving, she took me to the beach and for whatever reason I got so sick she took care of me and told me I would be fine:) I will miss her so much but I know they are together again and I know they are truly happy again. I loved her so very much and appreciated everything she did and appreciated everything she was and still is :) I feel as though she is looking down on all of us and smiling!:) All our love, The Browning's:) Love you Auntie Phil :)
Tiffany Grant
June 16, 2017
Philly cheese steak. I miss you. I wish I could've just hugged you one more time. Thank you for always loving blain and I. No matter where we were together, what we went through, we grew up loving eachother with the constant support of only you. I wish I could tell you how much that meant to me but I'll hold onto that and always remember to keep doing what makes me happy no matter what anybody says to me. You've given me so much strength and have shown me so much. Thank you for being you. I know you are dancing and cooking pot roast and potatoes up there for Paul D. You made an incredible mark on us all. I love and miss you.
Kelly
June 16, 2017
This incredible woman will always be a Ventura icon. Though the values and trends may have changed over the many, many years of her career, she continued to teach timeless and life sustaining skills to assist teens transitioning into the real world. She began teaching before there were personal computers, cell phones, iPads, Snapchat, Twitter, and social media. Regardless of the trends, what she taught never lost value. She had the love, commitment, and courage to continue to educate young people. Iconic.
June 16, 2017
I had the pleasure to serve with Phyllis on the staff of Buena High School. Phyllis was a superior teacher; her students loved her. Our staff loved her. Our community is the worse for the loss of Phyllis.
Gene Badstubner
June 16, 2017
Phyllis Miller was one of the kindest and most selfless women I have ever known. I will miss her sense of humor, constant positivity, and hospitality.
Thanks again for everything Aunt Phyllis; the world is a darker place without your light.
Nicole Haltom
June 15, 2017
What a remarkable woman. She was the best teacher/mentor ever and I will never forget her. My prayers to Mrs.Miller's family. I can only imagine the heaviness you feel at this time. My encounter with her was brief yet she left an imprint on me and I am saddened by the news. Heaven has gained an incredible angel. I pray for you all to find comfort during this difficult time. Much love. Sincerely, Nicole.
David Owen
June 15, 2017
Bummer, may she now rest in peace with her beloved husband Paul. Had the priviledge of growing up two doors down from the Miller family.There aren't enough words to describe how Mrs. Miller was just one of the most wonderful, compassionate, inspiring, intelligent, loving and incredible woman/wife/mother/grandmother for this world. If you knew her or crossed paths with her you were truly blessed. The world is a lesser place now that she has moved on, but she gave so so much for and to so many of us to carry with the rest of our lives. RIP Mrs.Miller.
Lorraine Jones. Vreeken
June 15, 2017
Oh my dear Mrs Miller she not only ,made high school bearable, her class room was the happiest place on campus,but she also taught me so much about sewing and set me on a life long course of sewing, I thank her for everything. I loved being her teacher's aide just so I could be round her and learn from her , she is a treasure.
With love,
Lorraine Jones Vreeken
Salt Lake City, Utah
Brad and Wendy Beasley
June 15, 2017
Heaven received a real angel!! We have known Mrs Miller for years!! My husband Brad grew up around the corner from the Miller's.. and always talked about what a sweetheart she was .. we know all your R broken.. and she will be very missed.. what a reunion it is in Heaven reuniting with Paul u all r in our thoughts and prayers everyday !!
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