Rosemary (Chancellor) Miller

Rosemary Miller passed away on August 7, 2023 in Denton, Texas at the age of 79.

Funeral Service is 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 11th, 2023 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

She was born January 21, 1944 in Alvord to Edna Bell Taylor Chancellor and Charles Arthur Chancellor.

Except for short stints in Smithfield and Decatur, Rosemary lived her youth in Bulldog land, graduating as salutatorian of her 1962 Alvord High School class that consisted of a whopping 23 students.

Her siblings included half-brothers, W.J. and Crawford; brothers, Charles, Lonnie and Ray; and, sisters, Estelle and Margaret. Rosemary was a member of the Methodist church in Alvord during those early years.

She moved to Decatur after marrying where she soon joined the Baptist church to which she was faithful the remainder of her church life… her final membership being with Eagle Drive Baptist.

Her sons, Barry and Garry, came in 1964 and 1965. Other than caring for them, she spent the rest of the 60’s and 70’s as a telephone operator and then in operations with Central Telephone Company, now Brightspeed. (Her advanced ability to recall telephone numbers remained with her for the duration of her life.)

Moving to the Wise County Auditor’s office in the 80’s was her last place of employment prior to retirement in the 90’s. (She did try a short stint at the Post Office in the 80’s but quickly realized a walking route in the Texas summer heat was not her calling.)

Rosemary married Pat Miller in 1978 and her family was increased to include Pat’s children, Mitchell and Mary Margaret. Rosemary and Pat shared over 45 wonderful years together marked with a multitude of family celebrations and special friendships that centered around eating out, dominoes, card games and even some bowling leagues. Many of their special friends also churched together where they were very involved.

Rosemary and Pat traveled a great deal (Israel being their farthest destination), took cruises, RV’d around the country, and supported their families through sporting event attendance, musical and other special performances, and every holiday celebration on the calendar.

Rosemary’s favorite name to answer to was Mawmaw as she and Pappy were blessed with a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mawmaw and Pappy knew the experience of being Eagles, Lobos and Indians fans.

We will all remember her as one who modeled Jesus’s servanthood – we don’t think she ever took the proper time to eat a meal she prepared as she busied herself the entire time with waiting on others. Of course, she had a number of foods she made better than anyone else. Her chocolate shakes were pretty special too.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents and all of her brothers. She is survived by her husband, Pat; children, Barry (and Susie), Garry (and Patty), Mitchell (and Becki), and Mary Margaret (and Perry); grandchildren, Blake (and Amber), Brian (and Kendra), Ben, Sarah, Breanna (and Joe), Summer, Paxton,  Gabe, Chelsea, Michael (and Mary Beth), Matthew, Macy (and Clint), Calley (and Caiden) and John; 14 great-grandchildren; her sisters, and a boatload of nieces and nephews. Also, a shout-out to longtime, dear friends who were so special to Rosemary – you know who you are.

We will miss you greatly, Mawmaw, but continue to carry you in our hearts.