LIFE TRIBUTE of

LaRue Rachael Kilgore Miller

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith."2 Timothy 4:7

This is certainly true of our dear LaRue Miller who transitioned from this life on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:40 AM at Willow Springs Nursing & Rehab Center under the care of Hospice of the Big Country. She was 94 years old, born on December 21, 1927 to the union of Barry and Amanda Kilgore and was the youngest six children.

As one of the first African-American families allowed to live within the city limits,LaRue and her siblings were held to a high standard. They attended the Black elementary and secondary school in Midlothian then rode the Greyhound bus to Waxahachie, TXto attendedthe segregated Oak Lawn High School. After graduating, she attended Paul Quinn College in Waco, TX where she received a B A Degree in English with a minor in Education. She later earned her Masters Degree in English from Texas Women's University and North Texas State University.

Returning home, her teaching career beganin 1949 at the segregated Booker T Washington Elementary. In 1950,LaRue married Arthur James Miller whom she'd met while at Paul Quinn. In 1966, she was one of three African American teachers assigned to teach at the now integrated J. R. Irvin Elementary.

LaRue enjoyed a fruitful career with many accomplishments some of which included serving on the MISD School Board, the City Council Advisory Committee, the Texas Educational Textbook Review Board and the Texas Teacher Mentor Program and was inducted into the African-American Hall of Fame in Waxahachie, TX for being a Life-time Educator.

However, after 45 years of teaching and 15 years of long-term substitute teaching. her most remarkable accomplishment came when she was informed that MISD would name their 6th elementary school in her honor, LaRue Miller Elementary School. She was blessed to witness it, be given a special rocking chair to sit in while reading to the students and her very own parking spot.

Obeying the Gospel of Christ at an early age, LaRue was a faithful active member of the Graham St Church of Christ in Waxahachie. She taught Bible class and helped with several Ladies Day activities.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 35 years, Arthur James Miller; three sons A J, Jr, Charles Lawrence, and Daryl LaVon; one sister Earlene Kilgore Spencer; three brothers B.B. Kilgore, L.A. Kilgore, and Seth Thomas Kilgore.

Those left to cherish her memories are her sister Eunice Kilgore Simmons of Oklahoma City, OK; her daughter Sherri Gail Miller of Abilene, TX; one grandson Cordale Jarod Miller and his wife Tamara Miller of Lewisville, TX; eight nephews, seven nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.