Marie Miller was born in Miami, Oklahoma on October 10th, 1941 to Lewis Morris Simpson and Callie Olean Simpson. Olean was a popular hairstylist who owned her own salon, and Lewis was a manager at a furniture store and fought in World War II. He carried a picture of Marie in his pocket throughout his entire service in the war. Marie was the older sister to Anita and Helen. As a child, she loved music, specifically the piano, and playing at her grandparents' house in her neighborhood with her cousins who became her best friends.

Marie attended Miami High School, where she was involved in the school's band. It is there that she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Earl Miller. At the end of band practice one day, Earl accidentally knocked over his music stand, and music papers went flying everywhere. Earl began to say a few 'choice words,' and it was at that time that a cute auburn-haired girl walked by him. She told him he shouldn't talk like that, and, as Earl says, "she has been telling him that ever since." He asked Marie on their first date to OU Band Day in the fall of 1956. Earl proposed to Marie three years later on the day of her high school graduation in 1959, and the two were married in August of 1961.

They soon moved to Kansas City where Earl began dental school and Marie worked as a receptionist. Although they did not have much money during these years, they loved their time in Kansas City. They often could be found ice skating at the frozen creek down the block from their small apartment or watching musicals in the local park. When Earl graduated dental school, they moved to Mineral Wells, Texas, as Earl was stationed there as a captain in the army and dental officer during the Vietnam War. Their son John was born in May of 1966, and a year later the family moved to Oklahoma City for Earl to start his dental practice. Their daughter Heather was born in October of 1968, and their family was complete.

As a family, they traveled extensively through places like Austria, Switzerland, Hawaii and many more. They also skied every year in various cities in Colorado, with Breckenridge as their favorite. Marie was an excellent and devoted wife and mother, who made it a priority to cook dinner and sit around the table every night as a family, as well as attend all of John and Heather's various activities and events when they were growing up.

Marie received a bachelor's degree in special education from Central State University and a master's degree from Oklahoma City University in reading. She taught students with self-contained learning disabilities at Plaza Towers Elementary and Central Elementary schools in Moore and later started her own learning center called Southwest Learning Center. Marie was passionate about helping kids who struggled with learning disabilities and poured herself into caring for them.

Marie's true passion in life was art in all its forms. Her favorite art mediums were Chinese Random Stitch embroidery, quilts, and mixed media art. She had her own art studio in her home, where she spent many hours creating art often inspired by real scenes from places she and Earl had traveled. In her first juried art exhibit, Marie won the overall prize and $1,000, which launched her career. Her works went on to be featured in magazines, books, and even hung in the Governor's office. She was also a collector of art and decorated her and Earl's home with an assortment of beautiful pieces.

Some of Marie's favorite hobbies included gardening, reading books of all genres, and drinking coffee on the porch with Earl while watching the wildlife on the lake behind their house. She and Earl loved outdoor adventure and travel, and spent much time in nature kayaking, sailing, and taking in beautiful views. She loved her dogs Betsy, Popcorn, Andy and Hope. Holidays were very important to Marie, and she always made sure to have special decorations and traditions for each one, such as the Easter lamb cake she made every year for their family celebration.

Marie had a very deep, personal relationship with the Lord and relied upon Him for all things. She faithfully attended church and lived out her faith every day in the gentle way she treated others and cared generously for those around her. Marie's pride and joy were her grandchildren, and she was very fortunate that they all lived very close by to her. She was very invested in each of their lives, and spent many days attending their various activities, watching their favorite TV shows together, shopping with them, and much more. Among their favorite memories are trips to Grand Camp, an overnight camp where Marie, Earl and the grandkids participated in art and crafts, spent time in nature, and ate dessert first before dinner by rule.

Marie will always be known as an elegant, beautiful, nurturing and resilient woman. Her quiet humor and wit and her undeterred positivity and gentleness will be deeply missed by her family and friends, especially Earl, her constant companion through life.

Marie is survived by her loving husband Earl Miller and her two children: son, John and Shelleye Miller of Edmond, Oklahoma, and daughter, Heather and Steve Cottom, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Luke and Natalie Miller, Logan and Jenae Miller, Savannah Cottom, Lauren and Trey Smith, Summer Cottom, Leah and Matt Childress, and Shane Cottom. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings: Helen Pidcock of Atkins, Arkansas, and Anita Dawson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her loving parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.