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Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller

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Birth	:	27 Oct 1864 Jefferson, Greene County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	28 May 1941 Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Stamford Hill Cemetery, Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate	:	-29.8159700, 31.0255900
Description	:	OBITUARY SKETCH OF MRS. TENA MILLER Seven years ago last April Mrs. Tena Miller called at this writers office (Judy Collins) and requested that he prepare an obituary sketch to be read at the funeral services for her husband Sheridan Miller. She was especially pleased with a few lines of verse that were quoted to introduce the biographical sketch. On this occasion it seems appropriate to again use the lines: Life, I know not what thou art But know that you and I must part; Life, we've been long together, Through pleasant and through stormy weather; ‘Tis hard to part when friends are dear, Perhaps ‘twill cost... Read More	OBITUARY SKETCH OF MRS. TENA MILLER Seven years ago last April Mrs. Tena Miller called at this writers office (Judy Collins) and requested that he prepare an obituary sketch to be read at the funeral services for her husband Sheridan Miller. She was especially pleased with a few lines of verse that were quoted to introduce the biographical sketch. On this occasion it seems appropriate to again use the lines: Life, I know not what thou art But know that you and I must part; Life, we've been long together, Through pleasant and through stormy weather; ‘Tis hard to part when friends are dear, Perhaps ‘twill cost a sob a tear; Then steal away, give little warning, Chose thine own time, Say not "Good-night", but in some brigher clime Bid me "Good-morning!" I am glad to think of my two pioneer friends in a joyful meeting Over There where there are no more good nights to be said greeting with youthful affection and a happy "Good-morning." And a happy good morning it is. Their parting was life's greatest tragedy. The bereaved wife has waited long though patiently, through pain-filled days, months, even years, for the call to steal away for the glad "Good-morning." Tena, the first-born daughter of Samuel V. Sears and Elizabeth Ralls-Sears was born at Fairfield, Iowa, October 27th, 1864. She passed into the home over there from her residence in Taylor, Nebraska, Wednesday afternoon, May 28th, 1941, aged 76 years, eight months and one day. Tena grew to winsome womanhood and received her education in Iowa. When she was 22 years of age her parents moved from the state of her birth to Loup County, Nebraska and established a new home in the Madison Square community. School teachers were one of the demands of the newly organized county, then Nebraska's frontier. The young woman's education now became practical, Very soon after her arrival she wrote and passed the examination for a teacher's certificate, May 16th, 1886; and during that year taught successful three month terms in the Madison Square and Croughwell school districts. During the years 1888 and 1889 she was employed in her home school Madison Square district; and again in 1892 she was instructor in the Strohl school. Tena Sears must have been a good student, as the record shows that she two times raised the grade of her certificate as well as her average of grades earned, and each year her salary also was increased. Present day teachers may be surprised to know that many rural teachers of a half century ago began teaching when but fifteen years of age and received for their services from $15.00 to $25.00 per month. A few of her pupils are still living and the writer has their testimony of Miss Sears' efficient instruction in the schools as well as the respect and esteem for "Teacher" her lovable personality developed among the boys and girls. Then as now romance came to school teachers. Sheridan Miller a young homesteader in the Almeria country recognized in Tena Sears his ideal woman. The attraction was mutual and Sheridan Miller and Miss Tena Sears were united in marriage April 8th, 1890. Mr. And Mrs. Miller established a permanent home in Loup county in 1893 following two years spent in the vicinity of Mason City, Mr. Miller's first home in Nebraska. They were folk who loved the good earth and spent the best years of their life tilling the soil and improving their homestead which they owned at the time of their passing. About ten years since they purchased the present home in Taylor, and where Mr. Miller died April 9th, 1934. Mrs. Miller never knew the joy of motherhood, but many girls and boys have known the warmth of her mother-love. Perhaps God denied her this priceless treasure that motherless children might find the satisfying sweetness of a mother's affection in her boundless love, She and Mr. Miller received into their home three children: Emma, Now Mrs, Emma Petersen living in Iowa; and Ethel and Billy Sears, the last two being her brother William Sears' motherless daughter and son. She cared for them, trained and educated them, and gave each of them a real mother's love. For the past several years Mrs. Miller has been an invalid afflicted with long hours on intense suffering. Through it all she retained a keen interest in her loved ones, friends and neighbors. Always glad when they called and sat awhile by her bedside, When they must go she gave them that sweet, kindly smile, a smile that remained youthful to the end, and bade them a cheerful farewell. During the last years of her helpless suffering she has been tenderly cared for by her brother Sam and his wife who is a professional nurse. Medical skill and careful nursing has never been lacking and has alleviated suffering as much as humanly possible. Her philosophy of life embraced the fundamentals of Godly living; loving her neighbor as herself and doing unto her associates as she desired them to do unto her; helping childhood and youth in its helplessness. Of her immediate family who are made sad because of her going are three sisters, Mrs. Annie Raish of Grand Island, Nebraska; Mrs. Lottie Coy of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Mrs. Angie Hall of Madison Square: two brothers, Dan M. Sears of Cherry County, Nebraska and Sam G. Sears of Taylor; and a number of neices and nephews and other relatives. To this must be added a large group of long time friends and neighbors. Of this group there many for the reason that a personality such as Mrs. Miller possessed proved the statement: "Friends are numbered by her acquaintances." The writer is glad to have been numbered among Mrs. Miller's friends. The foregoing is a tribute to her life, through inadequate; the following verse is his dedication to the reunion of a pioneer husband and wife: WHEN TWILIGHT SHADOWS FALL Comes time when twilight shadows fall O'er hills, and meadow lark's soft call To brooding mate; My sad heart aches with unknown fears My eyes grow dim with unshed tears When twilight shadows darkly fall, Forgetting time and peace, I hear you call As in those old sweet days; Again I thrill to your embracecaress Vibrant with love, and fears no more oppress When twilight shadows fall. Some time when sunset glorifies the sky With gold, and winds through tree tops sob and sigh, I'll glimpse the Heavenly Shore You'll beckon me come and dwell with you And God, in lands where there's no sad adieu No twilight shadows to fall. –Thurman A. Smith Funeral services were held from the Congregational Church in Taylor, Nebraska, on May 31, 1941, at 1:00 o'clock, under the direction of Spooner & Son, undertakers of Sargent. A very impressive sermon was delivered by Rev. Belle of Sargent. With Mrs. A. F. Alder at the piano, a quartette, Mrs. Wm. Russ, Mrs. C. D. Shipley, Guy Fletcher and H. R. Brown sang, "Rock of Ages", "Rest For The Weary"' and "Gathering Home." The pallbearers were: Elmer Coleman, A. F. Alder, Garrison Hyde, T. F. Croughwell, S. D. Copp and Fred Cuddeback. Interment was made in the Madison Square Cemetery. Relatives from out of town who attended the funeral were: D. M. Sears, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Sears and daughter Joellis of Kennedy, Nebraska; Mrs. M. L. Peterson, Mrs. C. C. Soesby, Clarion Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Raish, Omaha, Nebraska; Mrs Anna Raish, Mrs. Jack Cole, Henry Hyde, Mrs. D. A. Geil all of Grand Island, Nebraska; Thos Crowell, Broken Bow. Obit is from http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SEARS/2001-04/0988514619 Many thanks to Debbie for providing this obituary.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller's memorial?
Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller's memorial is located at: Stamford Hill Cemetery, Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.
When did Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller death?
Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller death on 28 May 1941 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Tena Elizabeth Sears Miller's memorial?
Latitude: -29.8159700
Longitude: 31.0255900

Family Members:

Parent

Samuel Van Buren Sears

(1836 - 1934)

Elizabeth Evaline “Eva” Ralls Sears

(1843 - 1927)

Spouse

Sheridan Miller

(1864 - 1934)

Siblings

(1866 - 1939)

(1868 - 1953)

(1874 - 1953)

(1876 - 1895)

(1880 - 1943)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Stamford Hill Cemetery
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8159700, 31.0255900

2. Umgeni River Mouth Muslim Cemetery
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8047000, 31.0368800

3. Memorial at Old Fort Durban
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8509740, 31.0256310

4. St. Thomas’ Churchyard
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8413120, 30.9955990

5. Durban Military Cemetery
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8526100, 31.0228000

6. St. Paul’s Anglican Churchyard
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8572750, 31.0257290

7. Emmanuel Cathedral Mausoleum and Churchyard
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8575020, 31.0156980

8. West Street Cemetery
Durban Central, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8589720, 31.0140510

9. Red Hill Cemetery
Red Hill, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.7698600, 31.0288460

10. Sydenham Cemetery
Sydenham, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8268800, 30.9723400

11. Stellawood Cemetery and Crematorium
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8863300, 30.9774100

12. St. Barnabas Anglican Church Memorial Wall
Bluff, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9104000, 31.0147330

13. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Memorial Wall
Bluff, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9184070, 31.0205030

14. St. Stephens Churchyard and Memorial Wall
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9142000, 30.9742000

15. Hillary Cemetery
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8915500, 30.9244100

16. Jacobs Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Bluff, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9306670, 30.9849780

17. St John The Baptist Anglican Church Cemetery
Pinetown, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8187400, 30.8656430

18. Gijima Cemetery
Lamontville, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9502300, 30.9290400

19. Ashley Cemetery
Pinetown, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8311500, 30.8364600

20. Mariannhill Monastery Cemetery
Mariannhill, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.8472710, 30.8268000

21. NG Kerk Krantzloof Gedenktuin
Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.7952600, 30.8064620

22. Dick King Graveyard
Isipingo, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.9885120, 30.9246630

23. Amanzimtoti Methodist Church Memorial Wall
Amanzimtoti, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -30.0603530, 30.8764758

24. Umhlali Cemetery
iLembe District Municipality, South Africa
Coordinate: -29.4816803, 31.2232927