Mardell Anders Miller

Davenport, FL ---- 97-year old, Mardell Anders Miller, a Davenport resident for 63 years, died on Monday, January 11, 2016 while in hospice care in Auburndale, Florida. Born in 1919 in the mountains of North Carolina, she was the second daughter of Lum and Lona Anders and sister to nine siblings. Her father was a blacksmith by trade. She married Melvin Miller, a WWII veteran, and moved to Davenport in 1953 where they owned and operated Davenport Electric and Plumbing until the late 1970's. They raised four children, Sharon Stephens Miller, John Miller, Gary Miller, and Phillip "Tink" Miller. Mardell was a hard-working woman who, in addition to bringing up four children, worked with her husband at "the shop," raised livestock, grew her own garden, worked as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, and held various other jobs helping people in the communities where she lived. She lived and thrived after winning an aggressive battle with cancer in the 1970's. Family members say she was a strong-willed woman who had a special way with animals, a quick wit, and a loving nature. She is remembered by relatives in North Carolina and Florida, along with her three living children, a great many grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren. Mardell was predeceased by her husband Melvin L. Miller and her son, Phillip "Tink" Miller She is survived by her children, Sharon Miller Stephens of Davenport, John H. Miller of Asheville, NC, Garry M. Miller of Davenport; sisters, Ruth Wilson, Jenny Cowan, Myrtle Nichols, Stella West all of NC; grandchildren, Bonnie Stephens, Mark Stephens, Julie Stephens Myers, Alan Stephens, Brandy Miller, Sarah Miller, Christopher Miller, Audrey (Beau) Miller, Lynsi Miller, Marshall Miller; great grandchildren, Brittany Stephens Atchley, Ashley Miller, Destiny Miller, Dylan Lawver, Nevaeh Miller Avelino, Zaden Miller Avelino, Ezera J. Miller and Ezlee J. Miller. Flowers can be sent by contacting Summerlin's Flowers in Davenport