Bess MIller

Bess Miller, 96, of Stevensville, passed away, Friday, November 20, 2020 at Crown Point Assisted Living in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 4, 2020 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Jeffrey Hubers officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Masks & Social Distancing will be required for both the visitation & service. Memorial donations in Bess’ name may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Joseph or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Bess’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bess was born March 10, 1924 in Tampa, Florida to Samuel & Bessie (Drumwright) Moore. After her family moved to Benton Harbor, Bess graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1942. On October 24, 1942, she married Stanley W. “Stub” Miller in Benton Harbor. After raising her family, Bess gained employment with Inter-City Bank/Chemical Bank in Benton Harbor, where she was employed for twenty-two years as a teller/administrative assistant. Bess was a member of First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor until it closed. She was active there serving on several boards. She them transferred her membership to First Congregational Church in St. Joseph. She and Stub loved to dance every chance that they had. Together they served as co-chair for the Blossomtime Ball for four years. Bess even taught dance for many years. She volunteered for the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Krasl Art Center, was an avid reader, and cherished the time spent with Stub as they traveled across the world. Bess is survived by her daughter Mary Ann (James) Engler of Benton Harbor; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; her nephew Steve (Roe) Phillips of Merritt Island, FL; numerous nieces & nephews from Stub’s family; her adopted French daughter Claire Lebrun of France; and her close friend Dede Howard of Holland, MI. Bess was preceded in death by her husband Stub on July 6, 2006, her daughter Deborah Sue Lomonaco on March 3, 2003, her son Stanley Jr. on November 22, 2004, one great-grandchild, her sister Pollyanna Knox, and two close friends-Laura Mills & Eunice Byrd.