Germaine Miller, age 91 years, died late in the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2024, in the comfort of her home in Houston, with family and friends who loved her by her side.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie T. Phillips and Leta Fontenot Phillips, and by her beloved husband of 55 years, E. M. (Marty) Miller. 

Germaine is survived by her beloved children, Meleene Lorio (William) of Lafayette; Mark B. Miller (Tammy) of Paris, Texas; and Christine Morris (Sealy) and Lucille Miller (Anna Garrett), both of Houston. 

Called “Grammy” by her grandchildren, Germaine is additionally survived by eight grandchildren, Lorraine Bradley (Seth) and Olivia Adler (Ryan) of New Orleans; Tara Miller (Jason) of Warrenton, Va.; Morgan Miller of Houston; Hannah Ellis (David) of Round Rock; Maxwell Morris of Houston; Amanda Morton (Jason) and Dylan Horne also of Houston. Grammy leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren as well, Emmaline and Elowyn Miller, William Bradley, Caroline Ellis, Ava, Ayanna and Tristan Morton, and Summer, Dylan and Andrew Horne. 

Germaine was born on March 2, 1933, in New Orleans, the only child of Johnnie and Leta. She was raised and lived most of her life in Lake Charles, and the friends she met in childhood remained dear to her throughout her life. She was a graduate of Lake Charles High School where she was a member of the Lake Charles Kilties, Louisiana’s first all-girl drill team. 

Germaine and Marty were childhood friends and high school sweethearts, and she followed him to Louisiana State University where she pursued two years of basic studies. When Marty graduated and received his first paycheck from Gulf Oil, they were married on July 11, 1953, in Lake Charles.

They loved their big and busy life together. Marty’s job took them to two countries, five states, and at least a dozen homes. She never met a home she didn’t enjoy decorating!

She was a devoted parishioner of the Cathedral the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles and St. Michaels Catholic Church in Houston.  She was a dedicated volunteer, patron and past president of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women for more than 33 years.  

Her family and her very large circle of friends will remember Germaine as a vibrant, charismatic woman whose humor, strength, and fierce love of her family and friends were evident every day of her life. She loved traveling the world with Marty and friends, throwing a fabulous dinner party, and humming along with her favorite Frank Sinatra tunes and sharing a glass of wine while she was cooking.

Germaine’s children would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to her devoted care team for the loving kindness they showed to Germaine in the last years of her life. Their care and love for Germaine gave her family peace and comfort.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lake Charles.  Burial services will follow at Consolata Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the church before the service.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Charity Guild of Catholic Women at Simple Store Donation (memberportal.org) or the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at johnsonfuneralhome.net.