Mrs. Addie Mae Miller, age 99, was born in Laurens County on April 29, 1922 to the proud parents of the late Sam and Mary Bell Bonds, as the oldest of their children. Her siblings are: Jessie Beatrice (predeceased), Odell (predeceased), Andrew (predeceased), Earl (predeceased), Sam Jr. (predeceased), Matthew (predeceased), Annie Lou, Eliza (William/predeceased) and Connes Lee (Christine). She moved to Spartanburg County in 1925 and attended Highland Elementary School, Cummings Street Middle School and graduated from Spartanburg High School, also studied a course at Daniel Morgan Vocational to become a CNA.

In 1944, she married the late Andrew Miller and bore 11 children, the last two never making it home. At the passing of her husband, they had been married for 52 years. She is the mother of seven living children, Sarah (Doug, predeceased), Shirley (Bill), Sam (Cassandra), Mary, Reena (Roland), David (Stephanie), Ricky (Jeryl), and four predeceased children, Eugene (Sallie), Andrew Lee, Terry Lewis, and Arthur Earl. When there were nine living children she dubbed them 9 "DREAMS", using the first letter of the given names of her children, David, Renna, Ricky, Eugene, Andrew, Mary, Sarah, Shirley, and Sam.

Through the years there were/are countless other adopted children, that are too numerous to name. But they know who they are, every one of them are special to her.

She attended Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and Sunday school since 1925 and was baptized at the age of 14 to start serving the Lord. She taught Sunday school for 34 years! She served as hostess and main cook for the church several occasions; whether for a small dinner in one of the previous pastor's home or for entertaining a church convention or servicing several church occasions. Addie was also a member of Relay for Life, the Missionary Society, the Culinary Department, and the Pleasant Falls Sympathy Club. Once holding the position's as Chairperson for the Angles of Mercy and of the Culinary Committee. Her service was always given willingly whether requested or volunteered.

She started work in Spartanburg District No. 7 School System in 1957 as a cafeteria operator. In 1968 at Jenkins Jr. High School she became the first black cafeteria manager, (today they are called dietician's), in a predominately white school. When Jenkins doors closed in 1976 she was moved to Cleveland Jr. High as the cafeteria manager for the next three years and was then asked to transfer to the newly built Whitlock Jr. High where as a dietician she organized and efficiently worked and taught others. One incident while working as the manager in the same day she prepared food for and catered to the Governor of SC and his quest while also at the same time serving lunch to 650 students. Mom devoted herself to help students, teachers and colleagues and others in many commendable ways, such as: buying, mending and/or washing clothes, removing gum from hair, giving a listening ear or advice, buying lunches, driving students to and from school and numerous other tasks. After 32 years of service in the system she retired in 1987 to be home and dedicated herself to the caregiving for her mother of 90+ years and her husband as their health declined.

She was an accomplished caterer of food and services that included weddings, birthdays, sororities, and private parties. With all her activities, for 20 years she purchased food and prepared a weekly dinner meal for the senior members of the Calvary Baptist Church. Not only did she cook, she was an incredible baker that included making and decorating wedding cakes. She was a past member of the Legal Aid Board, Bethlehem Center, and Model City Boards. She has always been a willing worker of any cause that will make the quality of life in the community better.

Mrs. Miller was a friend and confident with the heart of an angel, a strong hand in a velvet glove and shoulders with the strength of steel. She spread love through her good deeds and her ability to make all in her presence comfortable. She was a devoted Christian active in her church and community and faithful to her belief in Jesus Christ, and more importantly she loved the Lord.

She has touched many lives and has many accomplishments, but her most important, she would tell you, is the work that is done for the Lord. One of her sayings was, "a willing heart and the Word of God is all you need for God to work through you in order to tough the lives of others".

Left to cherish fond and loving memories are: 24 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 22 great great grandchildren, and 5 great great great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her grandchildren: Jether Bonds, Natasha Turner, William K. Jackson. And a plethora of family members including: uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends that were more like sister and brothers and sons and daughters.

A Celebration of Life for Addie Mae Miller will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11:00am at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 502 S. Daniel Morgan Spartanburg, SC. Reverend M. Keith McDaniel will officiate. Burial will be in the Heritage Memorial Garden.

Condolences may be sent to the Miller family at: 512 Crestwood Pl. Spartanburg, SC 29306

Visitation will be held for friends Friday, August 6, 2021 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.