On September 27th, 2023, Leola “Tilli” Mae Miller, age 78, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, moved from the Earth to Heaven while at home after a long and difficult illness. She was surrounded by her family at the time of passing, knowing and feeling the love from each.
Tilli was born on May 21st, 1945, to Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis Hanson in Fort Scott, Kansas. She grew up in the Hiattville area, attending grade school in Hiattville, Kansas, high school in Fort Scott, Kansas and eventually received an Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College, graduating with honors. This was accomplished while raising her four children, maintaining a job and being a housewife…she was a busy lady.
Although small in stature, she was strong and held the world on her shoulders several times throughout her life, always able to move forward.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, all of whom understood their importance to her in her life. Through hard times and wonderful times, she was able to raise her family and was very proud of her achievements.
She was highly intelligent, quick witted, and sometimes sharp with the tongue and quick with the switch, but she was the rock for her family…always prepared to support them, in any manner they needed.
In most photos she can be seen smiling or talking, she loved to do both. She loved life and lived it – too many memories and stories to tell. She had a passion for any and all animals, country life, and the outdoors. She was an amazing cook and loved to cook for her large family and review recipes in her library of cookbooks and should be considered the Pie Queen of Fort Scott.
She was, and always will be, admired and looked up to with love and appreciation. She will be missed greatly.
Her work effort was realized and admired throughout her life, most notable was employment with Nuss and Farmer Law firm in Fort Scott, the United States Postal service, and finally Mid-Continental Restoration from which she retired.
Although her married life was difficult, she finally met the love of her life, Gordon Lee Miller. They married in Littlefield, Texas on February 5th, 1993. Upon his retirement, they returned to rural Redfield, Kansas to live. He preceded her in death in 2007.
She is survived by a daughter, Trisa Diane Bolden of Fort Scott, three sons – Steven R. Mason and wife Kendell of Fort Scott; Kenneth (Mike) Mason and wife Jennifer of Uniontown, Kansas; Mitchell D. (Mason) Welch of Redfield, Kansas and a stepson, Mitch Miller. Surviving grandchildren are Candace Dietrich and husband Aaron, Tiffany Garrison and husband Chris, Blake Bolden (Cheyanne), Alex Mason and wife Holli, Ashton Nobles and spouse Sydney, Zach Mason and wife Megan, Jordan Mason, Paige Mason, Morgan Gonzales (Tim) and Augustus (Gus) Welch. Her family also consisted of 13 great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Mae, Ireland, Mya, Gwinevere, Lucy, Gunner, Markala, Paxton, Rory, Parker, Owen, and Ryan.
She was preceded in death by her parents Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis (Hanson) Thomas, a brother James Thomas, and a grandson, Jacob Welch.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Cheney Witt Chapel at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM until service time.
Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials in her name are suggested to Paws and Claws in Scott and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
