Heaven get ready because here she comes. Momma (and God), finally decided she had taught us all she could and some of us weren’t gonna listen anyway. Residents of heaven be prepared, first you will be rearranging furniture. Then you will need to Spring clean from top to bottom. Lastly, (probably not last by a long shot) cook for so many people you’re gonna eat for a week. Be ready to shape up or ship out. She was working on the Staff at Wabash Christian Villages when she received her invitation to Heaven. Beverly was a self-taught Mother, blessed with four daughters, who each thought they were the favorite child. So you know she was doing it right! So in this man’s world she also had to learn how to coach girls’ sports, because she didn’t raise no wallflowers. Softball was the game of choice. She coached a team from Enfield that beat the undefeated favorite Carmi team (Alysworth’s Oil) and they were happy to share a tie instead of a playoff. But as normal, she taught her team to love thy neighbor and they made lifelong friends with their softball rival! She came from a broken home and dysfunctional family. (Who doesn’t) But God Blessed this woman with an amazing heart and empathy for the world. Kids came from all over the community to talk to her and get advice. She was “Mom” to so many and loved unconditionally. She lived by the Golden Rule and taught it to her daughters. Bev taught herself to sew. Her daughters, unbeknownst to them, were wearing designer clothes by Beverly Jane, from bathing suits, Homecoming and wedding dresses. She worked at the Enfield Sewing factory for a number of years, while also a whole list of other jobs that added to her many learning experiences for life. Her last paying job was with Egyptian Health Department. She worked in the CILA Program, where again she used her Mothering skills to assist clients in need.
In 1960 she married Benjamin Franklin ‘Benny’ Miller (Teacher, Coach, Marvell’s Drummer and weekend golfer). They divorced, as she had taught him all she could and needed to devote her life to her Grandchildren and daughters. He preceded her in death along with her sister Barbara Jean Williams Looman, brother Timothy Dewayne Williams, Mother, Bonnalee Hope ‘Bonnie’ Dalton and her father Shirley Eugene ‘S.E.’ Williams. Surviving are her daughters Crystal (Kent) Anderson, Robin (Gary ‘Dink’) Nichols, Stacey (Ken) Miller-Pettijohn and Amy (Jason) Craig. Grandchildren: Afton (Derek) Kennedy, Grant (Kristen) Anderson, Sawyer (Amber) Nichols, Haley (Brent) Edwards, Chaselyn (Austin) Bain and Cooper Craig. Six Great-Grand-Mean Dirty Kissable-Boys that she loved more than the world, a Bonus Daughter Jessica Webb, a brother Gene (Kim) Williams and Step-Mother Patsy Williams, several nieces and nephews, and also Her beautiful caring family from Wabash Christian Villages which includes the custodial, kitchen and laundry Staff, CNA’s , Nurses and Office staff.
Beverly loved Tom Jones, John Wayne and Paul Newman. She loved drinking Strong Coffee all day long and playing Backgammon, Cards, fishing and dancing with her girls. She was an amazing woman and you were blessed if you had the chance to meet her. All heroes do not wear capes; some wear a dish towel over their shoulder and a baby or two hanging onto their ankles.
An informal Celebration of life/visitation will be held Wednesday January 24, 2024, from 4p.m. – 7p.m. at Campbell/Jordan Funeral Home in Carmi, In lieu of flowers, the family has set up an account at First Bank in Amy Craig’s name, to accept donations. The donations will go to support the Caregivers at the nursing home that looked after ‘Bevy’ or ‘Aunt Bev’ as many of them called her. If you have a favorite memory of Beverly you would like to share, please attach it below in the comments. It would fill our hearts with joy. Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of arrangements.
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