Graveside services for Ms. Sterlie Miller, 81, of Durham, NC, will be held 2:30pm, Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Belleville Memorial Garden, 2900 Belleville Road, Orangeburg.

Ms. Sterlie Beatrice Miller (81) was born on August 24,1944 to the late Mervin and Mildred Faulkner Miller in Fort Mill, SC. Heaven gained an angel on November 20, 2025 when she transitioned peacefully at home with her daughter/caregiver (Marci).

Ms. Sterlie, affectionately known by family and friends as “Bea”, was the second of seven children. She is predeceased by her oldest sibling, Myra Miller and younger sibling Linda Bowers.

At an early age Bea accepted Christ as her personal savior and joined the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Fort Mill, SC where upon her relocation home she was an active and faithful member. She attended George Fish Elementary and High School in Fort Mill where she was active on the gospel choir, basketball team and was selected as Ms. George Fish her senior year. After graduation with honors, she received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg SC, and her master’s degree from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. Bea was an elementary school teacher in North Carolina, South Carolina and while in Brooklyn she also became a public-school principal. During her teaching career in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Bea was awarded CMS teacher of the year which exemplifies her excellence and commitment to early childhood education. After retiring from CMS, she spent most of her time gardening, traveling, and caring for her beloved grandchildren.

Bea's memory will always be cherished by her siblings: David Miller, Sandra Booker (Reggie), Beverly Damon (Billy), Deborah Collins (Harry); children: Gregory Miller, Bridgette Marques (Edmund), Marcia Rickenbacker Mensah (Ralph), and Marshall Rickenbacker; grandchildren: Jessica Whitehead (Ryan), Sydney Bailey (Peter), Hannah Miller, Simone Anderson, and Auric Mensah; great-grandchild: Micah Whitehead; nieces, nephews, cousins, and acquaintances.

There will be no public viewing.

Family and friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com