Cleopatra Miller

Born in 1926 during the Great depression, her father was a rural farmer in Alabama making ends meet for his large family. She was Baptized on Creek Indian land in the Conecuh River. Pat was the eldest of 5 children, she paved the way for her siblings to attend college as she was the first to attend a University. Education became important to her that she enrolled in Cosmetology school, Beauty school and Business school. Her mind was always looking to better herself and others around her. She implemented education not only to her siblings but to her own family as well.

While attending University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, she met and married Larry Rawald. They moved to California and became professional teachers. Pat taught Home Economics in the Los Angeles School District for 36 years. Because of her dedication to higher education in 1969, she was awarded "National Teacher of the Year" for the United States. She earned her innovative developments of two career educational courses which are still used today. Not only was Pat an exceptional Home Economics teacher, being an economizer characterized her life. Pat was also defined by conservative values in every way; she lived by the motto: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or go without, another one of her favorites was "fake it until you make it". She had a "deep root of Southernism" embedded in her soul. She would play old Southern Church songs on the piano for an hours. It was Truly amazing what she played and how she gave us a part of her history in the South by her music.

Pat was loved for her buoyant spirit, wanted to "share the joy" to those around her. She also was admired by a strong dedication to her family. With that spirit, she contributed to her local community and was active in the Republican Party. She served as chairman of the Republican Women's Community Outreach, always wearing her flamboyant hats in Red, White and Blue showing her pride as an American. She also dedicated endless hours to the "Package for Patriots" in which she oversaw collections of personal items for soldiers in Afghanistan that gave a small piece of comfort and home in the mist of their discomfort.


Pat loved traveling and meeting new people. She was blessed to have found a second love after Larry passed. Ray Miller, Ray and Pat had many things in common and one of them was traveling. They married, a short time after, they traveled to explored new countries and continued meeting people of the world.

Pat Miller passed away peacefully in Long Beach, California on February 20, 2023 .

She left her daughter, Libby, grandson and granddaughter Tony and Cassie, her great grand children Jackson,
Cruz and Luna. She also left her sister, Ruby, niece Ruth, Becky and Molly with 26 nieces and nephews and more. She also had Ray's beautiful family Ken, Cliff, Vicki, Linda, Carmenia and others who supported her, looked out for her and made her always feel included and loved.

She will be missed by all of us, for each person had their special moment and connection with her. She could flow with all sorts people and moments.



DAUGHTERS MESSAGE:

You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared with her.
You can remember her and only that she's gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she'd want:
Smile, open your eyes, love, learn and go on.