BARBARA SUE MILLER
1942-2020
Barbara Sue Moeller, Taylor, Diffey, Miller was born in Houston Texas on March 24, 1942 and was always proud of being a native Houstonian and a Charter Member of Canterbury UMC. Barbara was a 10-year cancer survivor, but in the last year suffered from congestive heart failure and final stage renal disease. Barbara died peacefully at home, in the presence of her husband and a daughter, on November 17, 2020.
Barb graduated from Austin High, and took classes at the Houston Community College. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Jim Taylor for 31 years, & this union produced 2 beautiful daughters, Peggy Sue Nowak (Tommy) & Dana Lois Hawkins (David). During this time, Barb worked as the secretary at Memorial High School and in outside sales. She loved movies, Marlon Brando, dining out, & travel with her friends. She was active in both community and professional groups serving a term as president of Bellaire West Garden Club, Charter President of the Retail Network of Women in Sales, and Regional Representative for the Association of Business Women in America. She was Past President of the Women’s Home Auxiliary, and longtime member of the Women’s Club of Houston, and the Memorial Women’s Club. Her passion was Cancer Fighters of Houston. During her over 20-year membership she served on the Board, many committees, as Treasurer, and as President.
Jim died tragically in a wade fishing accident in 1989. The following year she met and married DonaldW ayne Diffey who had 2 sons, Donald Diffey Jr (Vicky) & Douglas Diffey (Eva). They were married for 15 years when Don unexpectantly died of a heart attack. Three years later, at a New Year’s Eve party neither intended to attend, Barbara met her ”Prince”, Col. Bill Miller, USA Ret. They married in August, 2008.
Barb prided herself on being a supportive wife, devoted mother, and trusted friend. Barb was smart and loving, and friends with all she met. She lived a life filled with great joy and laughter and could brighten any room with just her beautiful smile. She had an infectious smile and delightful laugh that brought light to everyone around her and she seized every opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. Her family and many good friends will dearly miss her.
Bill showed her the world. Barb accompanied Bill to S.I.T.A Board meetings where she added people from Europe and the Mid-East to her large group of friends. In their 12 years of travel, Barb saw the world from Antarctica to the Artic, all seven continents, and 68 countries. She sailed all 5 oceans, 19 seas, and many rivers. Her favorite trips were a safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and exploring in Antarctica. Her most meaningful trip was an extended tour in Israel and Jordan. Her last trip was to Patagonia in the Spring of this year. She returned home, became ill and never recovered.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents (Annie Lou King & Leonard Moeller), sister Lois Hendley Myers & half-brother, Ray G. Miller of Dallas. She is survived by her husband Bill, daughters Dana (David) & Peggy (Tommy) (who came to love Bill as their own), David Miller (Diane), Rob Miller (Sheila) & Phillip Miller (Faith), by 9 grandchildren & 14 great-grands (plus 2 on the way), & loving nieces and nephews. Barbara was appreciative of the effort to help her by the doctors and nurses of Methodist Hospital, and the support and help that she received from the wonderful staff at DaVita Dialysis and Houston Hospice, and her night time care givers Andrea Pillar and Carol Latique .
Services will be held at St Luke’s UMC at 1 p.m. on January 6, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cancer Fighters of Houston P. O.
Box 272641 Houston, TX _77277-2641 or a charity of your choosing. Nothing would make Barbara happier than knowing others were helping those in need in her honor. Barb said she had a blessed life & died knowing she was loved.