Martha Bell Mcdaniel Miller

Martha Bell McDaniel Miller

March 26, 1938 – November 13, 2023

Martha Bell McDaniel Miller, 85, of New Bern, North Carolina passed away on November 13, 2023.  She was born March 26, 1938, in Rondo, Arkansas to parents Oliver and Jo McClendon McDaniel.

She is survived by her devoted husband of sixty-three years, Ellis Miller; her son Donald Miller and son and daughter-in-law Philip and Colleen Miller; grandchildren Mark, Justin, Lydia, Evan, Serina; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Norris and Martha McDaniel, Arnold and Elaine McDaniel, and Billie Sue McDaniel; numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Ezra McDaniel, Crawford McDaniel, Lewis McDaniel and one sister: Loudell McDaniel Cameron.

Martha’s parents moved their five children and all their worldly possessions from Arkansas to Kennedy, Alabama while she was still a baby.  After graduating from high school, Martha moved to Birmingham for work and then to Huntsville, Alabama where she worked for the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency.  In late 1959, she met Ellis Miller at a USO dance and in June of 1960 they married. Martha worked for NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center from 1960 to 1962, when her first son was born. For many years she dedicated herself to raising her boys and creating a warm welcoming home for family and friends. Martha and her family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1978.  Once her children were older, Martha worked with North Carolina State University, School of Forestry.  She retired after 12 years from the University but continued to work for several years for Senator Beverly Perdue.

Martha had a wide range of hobbies and interests that she enjoyed sharing with friends and family. She and her family spent a lot of time camping, boating, fishing and learned to water ski even though she could not swim. She pursued many interests throughout her life and excelled in all, including ceramics, quilting, painting, cooking, and gardening to name a few.  After retirement, Martha became an avid golfer. She held the New Bern Riverbend Ladies Club Champion title for many years and shot several hole-in-one's.

The family will receive friends and family at 3:00 pm on Friday November 17, 2023 for a celebration of life. Service will begin at 3:30 pm at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home in Alliance, North Carolina.  The family will hold a second service and interment in Kennedy, Alabama at a later date.

In Lieu of Flowers, please make a donation to either Craven County Hospice, PO Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561, or Hospice of Pamlico PO Box 6, Bayboro, NC 28515.