Lavenia M. Tilley 1930-2023

She was the fourth of seven children and was raised in Everett, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William B. Calhoun and Mary E. Richards Calhoun; three siblings, Margaret A. Calhoun Buchanan, Edward B. Calhoun and Clair E.Calhoun; and three husbands, Marle R. Miller, Cletus M. Miller “Maurice” and Richard E. Tilley.

She is survived by three siblings, Clifford A. Calhoun, Cleive W. Calhoun and Lucinda P. Calhoun; two sons and their wives, Barry D. Miller and Deborah E. Miller, and Maurice M. Miller, M.D. and Anne S. Miller; and four grandchildren, Alexandra N. Miller, Andrew J. Miller, James M. Miller and Grace A. Miller.

After Lavenia’s father served in the Army during World War I, he moved to Youngstown, in search of work. While in Youngstown, he met and married her mother. Subsequently, they moved to a farm in Everett to be closer to her father’s family. After graduating from Everett High School in 1948, she moved to Washington, D.C., in search of employment. She worked for several decades as an accounting clerk.

She was an avid ballroom dancer, an excellent gourmet cook, a stylish dresser, a maker of clothing for husbands, children and grandchildren, a lover of pets and animals, and a member of the Toastmasters Club. She believed in the “American Dream,” had a keen interest in United States history and politics, and organized and became the president of the Laurel Women’s Republican Club. Her immediate and extended family were of utmost importance to her, and she devoted her life to them.

A visitation for Lavenia will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Mount Union Cemetery, 1121 Menchtown Road Everett, PA 15537.

(special notice)