Ophelia L. Miller
Ophelia Tea' Lester Birth Aug. 30, 1917 Key West, Monroe County, Flordia Fla. Death Feb. 26, 2009
Indianapolis, Marion COunty, Indiana Burial Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
daughter of Joseph Lancelot Lester and Hermionia Leonella Recio.
Find a Lawyer Flordia Bar Organization
Ophelia L Miller Retired Not Eligible to practice in Florida
Admitted: 09/08/1947
Ophelia L. Miller
Ophelia L. Miller 91, Indianapolis, passed away February 26, 2009.
She was born August 30, 1917, in Key West, FL, the daughter of the late Joseph Lancelot and
Herminia (Recio) Lester.
On August 28, 1948, in Indianapolis, she married Merle H. Miller Sr., who preceded her death
on January 8, 1997. Their marriage was a 48 year love story documented by Merle in "The
Courting of Ophelia."
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The motto of Ophelia, Mom, Tia, Grandma was "I can do it!" She inspired all to do more than
they thought they could. From getting the Indianapolis Star to print photos of
African-Americans in the Society Section in the late 1950s to slalom waterskiing twice around
Lake Maxinkuckee in her 50s, she proved it over and over again. Two artificial knees and an
artificial hip did not stop her from skiing, playing tennis (her favorite), and pumping iron
into her 80s. Ever the pioneer, she participated in autocrosses in her 50s and worked on race
cars.
She was always ready to help anyone in need.
She graduated from University of Florida School of Law in 2 ½ years and was one of the first women
on its law review.
She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and the Indianapolis Racquet Club. She served
as a leader for the Girls Scouts and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts.
Surviving are her children, Merle H. (Becky Richardson) Miller, Jr., Indianapolis, Terry A.M. (Lewis)
Mumford, Indianapolis; Lester C. Miller, Indianapolis; grandchildren, Gregg H. Miller, Eric W. Miller,
Thomas G. Miller, Brook Mumford, Jesse Mumford, Kyle M. Ham, Ellis Mumford; great grandchildren, Kristen,
Zachary, Sarah, Kelsey, Paris, Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2009, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic
Church, 4600 North Illinois.
Visitation will be 3-6:00 p.m., with a e ulogy to be said at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, at Flanner and Buchanan
Funeral Center Broad Ripple, 1305 East Broad Ripple Ave.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Crossroads of America Council (Boy Scouts), 1900 North Meridian
Street, Indianapolis, IN 46206, or to the donor's favorite charity. - Indianapolis Star February 28, 2009
Ophelia L. Miller
Ophelia L. Miller 91, of Indianapolis passed away Feb. 26, 2009. She was born Aug. 30, 1917, in Key West, Fla.,
the daughter of the late Joseph Lancelot and Herminia (Recio) Lester.
On Aug. 28, 1948, in Indianapolis, she married Merle H. Miller Sr., who preceded her death on Jan. 8, 1997.
Their marriage was a 48-year love story documented by Merle in "The Courting of Ophelia."
The motto of Ophelia, Mom, Tia, Grandma was "I can do it!" She inspired all to do more than they thought they
could. From getting the Indianapolis Star newspaper to print photos of African-Americans in the society
section in the late 1950s to slalom waterskiing twice around Lake Maxinkuckee in her 50s, she proved it over
and over again. Two artificial knees and an artificial hip did not stop her from skiing, playing tennis (her
favorite) and pumping iron into her 80s. Ever the pioneer, she participated in autocrosses in her 50s and
worked on race cars.
She was always ready to help anyone in need.
She graduated from University of Florida School of Law in 2 ½ years and was one of the first women on its law
review.
She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and the Indianapolis Racquet Club. She served as a
leader for the Girls Scouts and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts.
Surviving are her children Merle H. (Becky Richardson) Miller Jr. of Indianapolis, Terry A.M. (Lewis) Mumford
of Indianapolis and Lester C. Miller of Indianapolis; grandchildren Gregg H. Miller, Eric W. Miller, Thomas G.
Miller, Brook Mumford, Jesse Mumford, Kyle M. Ham and Ellis Mumford; great-grandchildren Kristen, Zachary,
Sarah, Kelsey, Paris and Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Visitation,
with a eulogy, was held at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center Broad Ripple.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Crossroads. - keysnews. Sunday, March 8, 2009
| married Aug. 28, 1948, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Merle Hamilton Miller
Birth: 12 Jan 1904 Middletown, Henry County, Indiana Death: 8 Jan 1997 Indianapolis,
Marion, IN, Burial JAN 11,1997 Crown Hill Cemetery son of Clarence Harve "Hamilton"
Miller amd Laura Clark Carnefix |
 |
Children of Merle and Ophelia:
Theresa "Terry" Ann Miller
Lester C. Miller