Former Grace Brethren missionary to the Central African Republic, Mary Lois Miller, 73, died Wednesday at her home in Juniata, Pennsylvania.
She was born in Altoona, PA, daughter of the late I. Emory and Lucinda Jane (Brumbaugh) Miller. Surviving are a cousin, John Hillard, as well as many other cousins.
Lois served in the African mission field for 25 years, after which she was employed as a registered nurse and midwife at Lewistown Hospital for many years. Lois was a member of Altoona Grace Brethren Church, where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Society.
Her love of music prompted her to serve as a piano player and she was active in other church functions as well.
She was a graduate of Altoona High School and West Suburban Nursing School in Illinois. She studied midwifery in Kentucky and was a graduate of Wheaton College and Grace Theological Seminary, where she studied for missions.
Joy Cornelius, daughter of Grace Brethren pastor Roy Glass, who served the Altoona church, says, “She was a very special lady and a cousin to my dad (Roy Glass). There were several cousins who all went into full-time ministry–my dad, Lois, Victor Rogers who recently passed away, Galen Lingenfelter (married to Vic’s sister Kathern), as well as some others and many of their children also went into full-time ministry.”
She recalls, “The cousins were all such wonderful, godly examples to me and the others in my generation. I thank God for the heritage He has given me and can only pray that I will pass it on to my children and grandchildren. Some of my earliest memories are of spending time in their homes.”
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 5, 2007, at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., Juniata, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, with Pastor Rod Lingenfelter officiating. Interment at Brumbaugh Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Brethren International Missions, P.O. Box 588, Winona Lake, IN 46590.