Tamara "Tamie" S. Miller

Tamara "Tamie" S. Miller was a loving and friendly lady. Tenacious, supportive and kind to others are just a few words to describe her great character. You always knew where you stood with her. Even though she loved you, Tamie would not sugar coat it and tell you what she truly thought to help you out. Her love of her family also extended out to friends and animals, including her cats and kittens.

In 1960, the United States announced that 3,500 American soldiers were being sent to Vietnam to aid in the war efforts. With one hundred million television sets in use worldwide, the first televised presidential debate was aired, leading to John F. Kennedy being elected as the 35th U.S. President. The Flintstones premiered on TV and the classic American novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" was published. The same year, aluminum cans were first being used, Xerox introduced the first photocopier and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed. Out of all the news though, nothing was more important to Russell F. "Buck" and Eldora Mae (Cullers) Ray as they announced the birth of their daughter, Tamara S. on October 11, 1960 in Columbia City, Indiana.

She grew up and was a lifetime resident of Columbia City. As a young girl she loved going roller skating. On the weekends you would see her down at the Happy Valley Roller Rink and it was there that she met a young boy by the name of Duane A. Miller. Fate would later in life bring them back into each other's lives, and 12 years later after their first date in September of 1998, the two were married on September 16, 2010.

After attending Columbia City Joint High School, Tamie became a mother to her two wonderful children, Jerimiah and Chocca. She went on to work the next 33 years at Warner Electric until her sudden illness that was diagnosed in December of 2017, forced her to retire earlier this year.

Tamie enjoyed a good shopping deal at the mall, bowling with family and friends and traveling. Over the years she played on a several local bowling leagues and places like New England, Colorado Springs and New Orleans were among some of her favorite places.

The holidays were special to Tamie because not only did it bring her family close together, but it gave her an opportunity to pick out decorations and have Duane hang them out doors. One year they even won an award for the best decorated house in Columbia City. Out of all things she loved, nothing compared to her love for her grandchildren that she adored and felt was the best reward that life had to offer.

Tamara "Tamie" S. Miller, 57, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 3, 2018 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Survivors include her husband, Duane Miller; son, Jerimiah (Adrena) Simmons, of Columbia City; daughter, Chocca (Jermiah) Johnson, of Churubusco; grandchildren, Aaliyah, McKenna, Drew, Wyatt, Gabriel and Drayke; and brothers, Jerry (Kathy) Ray, Columbia City, Frederick "Fritz" (Susie) Ray, Columbia City and Rodger (Pam) Ray, Larwill. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Debra Reavis.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 7, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Humane Society of Whitley County. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send her family condolences online.