Varie “Pete” Miller Seay

Varie Elizabeth Sanders Miller Seay, 90, of Kempson Bridge Road, Saluda, died, Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington, SC. Born February, 12, 1922 in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late James Otto and Sallie Elizabeth Schumpert Sanders. She was formerly married to the late Smith Harold Miller and was the widow of Virley Haston Seay.

Mrs. Seay was a resident of West Columbia from 1948 to 1977 and retired from Lown Town Piggly Wiggly after 22 years of service and served on the supervisory committee of the SC Food Retailers Association.

She was a member of Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia where she had taught in the Infant Nursery Department for over 60 years and was named the first “Teacher of the Year” and the nursery was named in her honor in 1973. The church presented her with a certificate of appreciation for devoted service to the church nursery in 1994. She helped organized the first Cub Scout Pack at Mt. Hebron and was a Den Mother for several years. She was a member and helped organize the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. She was the last surviving member of the 1939 class of Hollywood High School.

She was predeceased by a son, H. Dale Miller on October 16, 2012; sisters, Helen Sanders Nichols and Ruby Lee Sanders Gibson; and a brother, James B. Sanders.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sonja M. (Harry) Huggins of Hemingway, Barbara Miller of Newberry, SC, Glenn C. Miller (Patricia Kekas) of Spartanburg, SC, Don Miller of Lexington, SC, Cheryl M. (Murvis) Mims of Turbeville, SC, Janet M. (Thomas) Kurgan of Milwaukee, WI, and Gayle Miller of Gilbert, SC; Dell Miller of Silverstreet, SC; grandchildren, Sherri Alston, Andrea Huggins Wise, Nicholas Miller, Stephan Miller, Christopher Shealy, Candace Miller Hartley, Ryan Miller, Erin Mims Kell, Julie Mims Douglas, Tyson Mims, Bryce Mims, Michael Abstance, Austin Miller, and Crystal Miller-Owen; great-grandchildren, Noah Wise, Lauren Wise, Ansley Wise, Luke Nicholas Miller, Ryan Nicholas Miller, Tyler Hartley, Amber Hartley, Anna Kell, Caitlyn Kell, David Kell, Micah Kell, Levi Kell, David Douglas, Miller Douglas, Riley Douglas, Ellie Douglas, Mara Pierce, Madden Pierce, Lizzie Mims, Jack Mims, Hannah Abstance, Michaela Abstance, Michael Abstance, II, and Heidi Abstance; and sister, Lona Pugh of West Columbia, SC.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, December 6, 2012, at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington, SC. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Friday, December 7, 2012, at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169, by the Rev. Timothy L. Rogers and the Rev. Larry F. Hays. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205; Ronald McDonald House, 2955 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203; or Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169.

Online Condolences: The J. F. Floyd Mortuary