Betty Louise Miller, 95, passed peacefully away in her sleep on Feb. 16, 2022.
Betty was born May 3, 1926, in Morgantown, to Mary and Claude E. Miller.
Following graduation from Morgantown High School in 1943, she enrolled in the chemical engineering program at West Virginia University.
After being the only woman who graduated with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in 1947, she accepted a position in the laboratories of Celanese Corporation of America in Cumberland, Md. One year later, she transferred to Rock Hill, S.C., where the company was opening a new plant. During the eight years with Celanese, she was promoted to supervisor of the chemical testing laboratory and finally to general supervisor of all laboratories.
In 1956 Miller returned to West Virginia University to earn a master’s degree in mathematics. After one year as a graduate teaching assistant, she was appointed as an instructor in the department of mathematics. She was promoted to assistant professor in 1970, and to associate professor in 1976. In 1992, she retired as associate professor emeritus.
She has been recognized as an outstanding teacher by the WVU Foundation Inc., the College of Arts and Sciences, Gamma Sigma Delta and the Golden Key National Honor Society. She was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society and Mountain Honor Society of WVU. In 1989, she was honored as the outstanding alumna by the WVU Alumni Association. In addition to having been an outstanding teacher, Miller also served WVU in many other capacities. She was a life member and served as chapter advisor to the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority for more than 30 years and received numerous chapter, regional and national awards for her service and dedication to the sorority. She was the faculty advisor to Chimes Honorary for more than 15 years. She served as secretary and then later chair of the WVU Faculty Senate. She also served as chair of the WVU Athletic Council. In 1985 she was a member of the WVU Presidential Search Committee. In 1994, she received the University’s highest recognition for service to WVU when she was elected to the WVU Order of Vandalia as well as being inducted into the Academy of Chemical Engineers. She also received the Mary Catherine Buswell award. Following retirement from the math department of WVU in 1992, she remained in Morgantown, still serving WVU in many capacities including the office of the president.
Betty was a very active member of the Spruce Street Methodist Church of Morgantown, where she attended services for over 70 years and acted in a variety of roles, including church treasurer. Local neighbors will remember Betty working tirelessly on her home’s garden and landscaping, providing beauty and delicious vegetables for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Claude E. Miller; sister, Harriet Jeanette Whitaker; brother, Donald Ray Miller; brother, James L. Miller, and niece, Patty Sue Whitaker Wilkins.
She is survived by nieces and nephews: Valerie Miller Quigly Bates, of Birmingham, Ala., Jan Whitaker, of Texas, Donald R. Miller and wife Winonna, of Morgantown, Hal Whitaker and wife Janna, of Waco, Texas, Debra Miller Eakins Friedman and husband Joel of Broad Run, Va., and Stacy J. Miller and wife Tonia, of Washington, Pa.; great-nieces and nephews: Julie Quigly and Valerie Vining, of Birmingham, Ala., Shanna Quigly Weber and Matt Weber, of Birmingham, Ala., Erin Quigly Collins and Brett Collins, of Pendleton, Ind., Kelly Sue Brooks, of Woodway, Texas, Vanessa Moyer and Shawn Moyer, of Kingwood, Amanda Nichols and Tim Nichols of Bonita Springs, Fla., Adam Whitaker, of Waco, Texas, Lauren Seiler and Nick Seiler, of Morgantown, James M. Eakins, of Boston, Katharine J. Eakins, of Evansville, Ind., and Brandon D. Miller, of Washington, Pa.; and over 14 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24. Visitation will continue at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at noon on Friday Feb. 25 with the Rev. Bart Thompson, of Spruce Street United Methodist Church, officiating, followed by burial at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to two scholarships created in her honor. One is the Betty Miller Scholarship, which is awarded to outstanding WVU mathematics students. The WVU Foundation manages the scholarship. Donations may be sent to the WVU Foundation at 1 Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, Morgantown, WV 26501. The other is the Betty L. Miller Alpha Upsilon Scholarship, which is awarded to a sister studying math, math education or chemical engineering. The Alpha Delta Pi Foundation manages the scholarship.
Donations may be sent to the Foundation at 1386 Ponce de Leon Ave NE/Atlanta, GA 30306.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
