On May 18, 2026, surrounded by love and the peace of God’s grace, Mary Ann Miller quietly transitioned into eternal rest. A woman of elegance, strength, compassion, love, and unwavering faith, Mary Ann touched countless lives through her wisdom, grace, and loving spirit. Her radiant smile and beautiful presence will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, to the late Straywell Patterson Sr. and Margaret H. Patterson, Mary Ann was born and raised in Heath Springs, South Carolina, where faith, family, and perseverance shaped the foundation of her life. She was the eldest daughter of her beloved siblings, William Howard Hammond (deceased), Patricia Shaw, Straywell Patterson Jr., Felice Cargill, Ulrich Patterson, Germaine Smith, and Gretchen Patterson.
She graduated from Hillside High School before continuing her education at Johnson C. Smith University and later earning her master’s degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Mary Ann’s life journey carried her from South Carolina to Washington, D.C., Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia, where she built a life filled with love, purpose, elegance, and devotion. She retired from Auburn Hills, Michigan, as an Economic Development Coordinator and was admired for her professionalism, intelligence, and ability to inspire others.
She was deeply devoted to her family and found immense joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted husband, Col. James Miller, with whom she shared more than forty years of marriage; her daughter, Jerri Smith, and son-in-law, Shaka Smith, along with their children, Blake and Blair Smith; her bonus son, Michael Miller, and daughter-in-law, Carol Miller, along with their children, Courtney and Justin Miller; her beloved siblings; extended family members; and countless friends and loved ones whose lives were forever touched by her kindness, grace, and love.
To know Mary Ann was to experience warmth, beauty, strength, and unconditional love. Her legacy will continue to live on through the many lives she inspired.
A service to celebrate Mary Ann’s life will be held at Noon on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Whiting’s Funeral Home. Mary Ann will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at a later date.
