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Martha Jane Bridges Miller

December 21, 2020

 

Martha Jane Bridges Miller was born December 10, 1926, to Brown and Annie Lane Bridges. She was raised and schooled in Early County.

In 1947 she married Pete Miller, Sr. They shared a life she was well suited for on a shade tobacco farm in Attapulgus, Ga.. She was seldom idle as she gardened and gathered, stocking her pantry and freezers. Most days she sewed; making clothes, curtains, upholstery and quilts. She raised chickens, pheasants, rabbits (once), Bassett Hound puppies and three children. Food was her expression of love and she enjoyed sharing her cakes, chocolate chip cookies, jams, jellies and smoked turkeys. Her bountiful meals frequently included relatives and other guests around her table. Her nickname became “Sweet”, a testament of her basic nature. She was kind, generous, and unassuming with a bright, quick smile.

Jane was active in the Attapulgus Methodist Church. She enjoyed club groups with friends from the Attapulgus area as well as from Bainbridge. Her skills were honed in the Home Demonstration Club, the Sewing Club and her quilting group. Her friends in Bainbridge coaxed her to join their golf group for regular luncheons even though she never swung a club. Jane held seats on the boards of the Cancer Society, the Library, the Bainbridge Junior College and the Sesquicentennial Committee. In 1983 she was honored as Decatur County’s Woman of the Year.

Jane became an inspiration and beacon of hope to many when she defeated cancer in three different battles.

There was a time when she and Pete enjoyed travel. Trips took them as far as China, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Europe and Central America. Other leisure time was enjoyed with family and friends at Mexico Beach and Lake Seminole.

When Pete passed away in 2004, Jane’s life became much quieter, though still not idle. Her kitchen always held the aroma of baking, usually her famous chocolate chip cookies. She handstitched a kingsize “Cathedral Window” quilt that took three years to complete. When her granddaughters shared a double wedding she made 350 jars of mayhaw jelly to give as wedding favors.

Jane’s last days were spent at home in her sun room bird watching and overlooking vast acres of green pasture dotted with cattle. Her small Maltese “Lilly” was always in her lap as she enjoyed nostalgic TV shows of The Waltons, The Andy Griffith Show and Golden Girls. She expressed her gratitude every day that she was able to live out her life at home. It was a life for which she was well suited.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Pete, sisters Ann Gold, Hilda Grow, Linda Jones; grandson Miller Grow and many dear friends.

She is survived by her daughters Pam Scruggs and husband Ferrell of St. Simons Island, Ga., Martha Rock and husband Dr. John of Coral Gables, Fla. Also her son Pete Jr. and wife Marcie of Bainbridge; grandchildren Bill Grow, Jr., wife Brandi, Dr. Parker Grow, wife Dr. Kelly, Dr. Ashton Rountree, husband Dr. Coyt, Shelby Jenkins, husband Dr. Seth and Parker Jane Miller; her sister Nelda Register; great grandchildren Crawford & Caddie Grow, Julia Grow and Harper Jenkins. Included also is her “third daughter” Tammy and six other special nieces, Bettice, Nancy, Frances, Mary, Jill, and Lori. Devoted caregivers Lesa, Annie Mae and Tanota.

 

Memorials may be made to the Attapulgus Methodist Church (PO Box 130 Attapulgus, GA 39815) or the charity of your choice.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Attapulgus United Methodist Church with Rev. Lynn Hurley officiating. Interment will be at Attapulgus Cemetery. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, those attending are asked to maintain the recommended safe social distancing of six feet in accordance with the State of Georgia guidelines. Masks are required.