Sunrise: February 24th, 1977
Sunset: July 7th, 2024
Age: 47 years
Service held at FREEPORT
BIBLE CHURCH
Norma Headley Highway, Freeport, Bahamas
Saturday, August 10th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Officiating
Pastor Kyle Maycock
Assisted by Pastor Marvin Rolle
Interment
Harbour West Public Cemetery
Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama
Directing RUSSELL’S & PINDER’S FUNERAL HOME
“Forever In Our Hearts
Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow
But remember me in every tomorrow
Remember the joy, the laughter, and the smiles I’ve only gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief
My going has eased my hurt, and has given me relief. So, dry your eyes and remember me, Not as I am now, but as I used to be Because I will remember you all; and look on with a smile.
Understand in your hearts, I’ve only gone to rest a little while.” – Author Unknown
In the quiet settlement of Holmes Rock, on February 24th, 1977, Miken and Helen Miller welcomed a set of twins; a boy and a girl affectionately named Melvin and Miriam. A rarity, the eighth and ninth addition, an added joy to the Miller household. As Melvin was the oldest of the set, Miriam was the baby girl of the family.
She attended Holmes Rock Primary School, and Eight Mile Rock High School. She remained close with her schoolmate and childhood friend Sheena Colebrooke. Growing up, Miriam and her cousin Julianne had a tight sisterly bond that remained until adulthood. In 1988, the Miller Family was dealt a devastating blow, when the head of the household was tragically taken away. Miriam was 11 years when her father passed, but the memories of an awesome provider and protector are forever etched in the family’s hearts.
Mr. Miller (Miken) had a special place in his heart for the last four children; Michael, Nicholson, Melvin and Miriam. They were like his four limbs. He took them everywhere he went, and would spend as much time as he possibly could with them, while taking them for car rides and treats. Miriam loved to experiment, especially when it came to creating new dishes. She could never live down one experiment in the kitchen where she lovingly earned the nickname “BT aka Boil Turkey” when she decided she would boil a whole ‘frozen’ turkey for the family. After being teased mercilessly, Melvin being the older and understanding twin, not wanting to hurt Miriam’s feelings, decided to help her out by baking the boiled turkey and eating it. Just as Melvin wanted to protect his twin baby sister’s feelings, this was reciprocated many times and in many ways.
In one major way, Miriam had taken a trip and left her car with Melvin. The day that Melvin was supposed to pick Miriam up from the harbor was the very day Melvin accidently set Miriam’s car ablaze. Melvin feared the worst. He was afraid to tell her that her car had burned down, and was afraid of her reaction. Miriam’s response was one of concern for Melvin’s well-being and not of her car, which had burned to the ground. Miriam never remembered their birthday or their age. Every year on their birthday, Melvin had to remind Miriam it was their birthday and every year her response was “How old are we again?”
In 1997, Miriam was married to Fabian Burrows, and this union produced her first daughter, Azavier Burrows. Her second daughter, Siarah Strachan, was born years later. Miriam’s greatest accomplishment was her daughters, they were her pride and joy. She supported and loved them fiercely and was very protective of both her baby girls.
Miriam was employed at Our Lucaya Hotel from 2000 to 2020, where she started out in the Housekeeping Department. Being an industrious individual, she was transferred to Resort Services. During this tenure, she developed friendships with her coworkers Jonetta Stubbs and Patsy Hepburn.
Miriam enjoyed simple pleasures in life. She loved going for long car rides, a joy that derived from her childhood days of going for car rides with her dad and siblings. She also loved to sing, especially lip syncing to songs, watching movies particularly those African movies, along with watching Tiktok reels and painting her fingernails.
In 2018, Miriam began experiencing headaches. As the headaches persisted, Miriam decided to seek medical attention, where it was discovered that these headaches were as a result of hypertension. Subsequently this lead to kidney complications. Through her illness, Miriam exuded strength, while being courageous and determined, especially when faced with adversities.
Miriam was a strong person with a lively personality and she never let her illness change her prospective on life. To describe Miriam, one would say that she had the strength and determination of Margaret Thatcher, the heart and compassion of Mother Theresa, and the bubbly personality of Kamala Harris. Miriam, in her own unique way, possessed these characteristics of these strong women. Miriam wore her heart on her sleeve and was plain speaking, while some would say, a little feisty at time. As Miriam continued to follow the doctor’s orders relating to her medical condition, her health began to decline and on July 6th she was taken back to hospital for medical attention. Peacefully and quietly on July 7th at 9:22 am, she slipped away from this world and into the arms of her Lord and Saviour. She will forever be remembered as a loving and caring person, a devoted mother to her two daughters, a doting grandmother, a dedicated daughter, a loving sister, and a faithful friend.
Her memories will forever remain in the hearts of her:
Daughters: Azavier Burrows & Siarah Strachan
Grand Daughter: Easton Burrows
Mother: Helen Miller
Father: Miken Miller (Deceased)
Sisters: Levy Bowleg, Cherylann Miller, and Lucille Cooper
Brothers: Robert, Wellington (Chip), Clyde (Steve), Michael, Nicholson (Nicky) and Melvin Miller
Sisters-in-Law: Sophia, Pamela, Chantel, Olethea, and Afrika Miller
Brothers-in-Law: Clint Cooper, Joel Bowleg (Deceased)
Uncles: Ivan, Lloyd, Doland & Harold Miller
Aunts: Daisy & Marilyn Miller, Ann Kemp, Gertrude Thompson, Rose Balasco, Rebecca Green
Nieces: Joey & Vanessa Bowleg, Zinnia Miller-Mincy & Robyn Miller, Ashley Cooper, Mickael & Malai Miller, Saida & Aasha Karamo.
Nephews: Demetress & Tahja Bowleg, Brandon Miller, Regis Cooper, Marquis Knowles, Ezrin, Darius & Cassie Miller, Devante’ & Nicketo
Cooper, Malik Miller (Deceased)
Grand Nieces: Zemera Bowleg, Meadow Tucker & Ziah Mincy
Grand Nephews: Johnathan Smith, Demetress Bowleg (DJ), Deborne Rigby and Jarreau Hunt, Zyon Mincy
Aunts-in-Law: Victoria Miller, Mary Miller, Lorene Green, Roselyn Green, Uncles-in-Law: Daniel Balasco & Arthur Kemp
Nieces-in-Law: Nathalie Miller & Patricia Bowleg
Nephew-in-Law: Tevin Mincy
A host of cousins and other relatives too numerous to mention
Special Thanks to Dr. Thompson, the Nurses at the Rand Memorial Hospital, to all the brothers and Sist
Witnesses for their kind words of encouragement, Pastor Kyle Maycock and Freeport Bible Church, The Kidney & Dialysis Centre, Mr. Michael Pintard and Grand Lucayan Staff for their kind words of encouragement.
Please know that as all your names may not have been mentioned at this time, your thoughts and prayers are in our hearts.
