Dora Miller

Dora Jean Miller was born on October 17, 1938 in Vulcan, West Virginia to the union of the late Robert Bert Smith Sr. and Bernice Whaley.  She was the second oldest of 8 siblings.  She departed this life Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Glendale Place nursing facility.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Otis L. Miller, Sr., siblings Betty Lou Harris, Panzie Smith and one son, Mark Norman-Miller.

She graduated from Liberty High School in Williamson, WV at the age of 16.  In 1955 at the age of 17 she relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio and lived with her aunt Rosa Howard.  She attended Poro School of Beauty Arts located on Linn Street in the west end of downtown Cincinnati. She earned her cosmetology license and through her commitment to excellence, became a highly admired and respected instructor. 

On August 3, 1957 she married the one and only love of her life, Otis Lane Miller, Sr. That union lasted 57 years at the time of his death.  They were blessed with five sons: Otis Lane, Jr., Eric Roberto, Mark Anthony, Clifton Lewis, Adam Gray and one Daughter, Mitzi Regina.

She was baptized in the name of Jesus in Williamson, WV under the pastorate of the late Elder D.R. Perkins aka Uncle Doc.  She later received the gift of the precious Holy Ghost in 1959 at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church on 7th Street under the pastorate of the late Bishop Elzie W Young.  She remained a faithful member of Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church serving and attending until her health declined under the pastorate Bishop James Chapman. She was a teen Sunday school teacher, she served on the Usher Board, worked on the location committee for the June drive convention.  She co-chaired the Women’s Week convention; she worked tirelessly with her sister Nettie establishing the Ruby Young Scholarship fund.  She was so steadfast and unwavering in her faith that her love and care for serving others led her to visit the sick and shut-in as though it was her personal mission, which it truly was.  Dora was a devoted wife, mother and sister.  As a grandmother and aunt she was patient, kind, gentle, loving and caring. These traits are just a few and carried over to almost everyone she met…even the stranger.

She was dedicated to family and contributed admirably as a reservationist for 29 years with American Airlines until her retirement.  She loved the game of golf. Much of her free time was spent with her siblings, her grandson, nephews and friends while many hours consisted golfing with them, along with anyone else who enjoyed the game as much as she.  Her love for continued learning involved reading and completing crossword puzzles. She kept her own CW puzzle dictionary and constantly added words that were once unfamiliar.

Some time near her 80th birthday, serious illness came that eventually caused her admission into the care of medical professionals.

She leaves to cherish countless experiences and fond memories, her son’s; Otis Lane Miller, Jr. (Lisa) of Cincinnati, OH, Eric Miller (Rhonda) of Cincinnati, OH, Clifton Miller of Fort Worth, TX., Adam Miller of Cincinnati, OH and one Daughter, Mitzi Robinson (Ronald Sr.) of Cincinnati, OH., her siblings; Dr. Phillip Smith of Uniondale, NY, Nettie Young (Samuel) of Cincinnati, OH, Robert Smith, Jr. (Shermaine) of Lawrenceville, GA., Rosa Blackwell (Kenneth) of Cincinnati, OH and Danny Smith (Rhonda) of Roswell, NM; (17) grandchildren and (19) great-grandchildren, (2) great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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