Patricia D. Miller, longtime assistant librarian
Patricia D. Miller, daughter of James Carroll and the late Clara Doris Watson-Lassiter, was born July 23, 1946, in Lincoln. Patricia passed after a short illness Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at Bayhealth Sussex Campus surrounded by her loving daughters and family. Pat graduated from William C. Jason High School, class of 1964. She attended Delaware State College to study education.
Pat met and married Gordon A. Wright, and from this union they had Arlana. Pat lived and worked in West Chester, Pa., for several years where she attended modeling school. After divorcing, she later met and married Stephen H. Miller, and from this union they had Stephanie, Krista and Michele.
After residing in Pennsylvania and Boston, Mass., Pat later returned to Delaware and worked at the JTPA Summer Youth Program as a coordinator for 20+ years and the Milford School District as assistant librarian. After 27 years as the assistant librarian, which she loved dearly, Pat chose to retire. A few years after retiring, she worked part time at the Sleep Inn and the Beacon Hotel in Lewes. Some of her community services included preparing the church bulletin, teaching Sunday school and serving as part of the kitchen staff as a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Slaughter Neck.
Pat was blessed to have been raised along with her sister, Grace Ann Young, by her second mother, Mary H. Shockley, and her aunt, Blanche Crim. Pat was a cheerleader and majorette in both high school and college, which was the beginning of her love of sports, especially football, basketball and boxing. She was a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan. Pat enjoyed traveling, decorating, and coordinating weddings and other special events. She also loved music, dancing and everything about plants. She was an avid reader and loved word puzzles. Most of all, Pat, also known as Grams and G to so many, loved and cherished her family.
Pat was preceded in death by her mothers, Clara Doris Lassiter and Mary Hester Shockley; sister, Grace Ann Young; aunts, Blanche W. Crim and Alpenia Morris; along with a host of uncles and cousins. She leaves to cherish her everlasting memories, her daughters: Arlana Y. Harriford (William), Stephanie R. Miller-Adams, Krista Y. Miller (Melvin) and Michele D. Rushin (Tommy); 12 grandchildren: Stefon, Quinn, Tommy Jr. (BJ), Erykah, Michiah, Grea, Walter, Tailah, Neveah, Kristofer, Gregory and Knolyn; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Michael Lassiter Sr. (Vanessa) and Jack Lassiter (Sabrina); brother-in-law, Maurice Young; niece, Cassandra Young and great-niece, Lavonne (Pumpkin); niece, Corrine Short; special son, Gregory E. Adams Sr.; bonus son, Stephen Miller Jr.; bonus daughter, Nicki Talbert; special cousin, Debbie Henderson; sister- friend, Julia Lawhorn (Sam); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and adopted children and grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, with a viewing two hours prior at Wesley Chapel in Lincoln.
Services entrusted to McPherson Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., Camden.
