Loretha Lilly (Lozier) Miller

Loretha Lilly Miller, 82, of Commercial Point, OH passed away on Wednesday, Oct 21 at St Ann’s Hospital in Westerville. Loretha was born on Oct 18, 1938, to the late Harless Melvin and Anna Pauline (Leach) Lozier in Lockbourne, OH. Loretha was a Realtor and an Artist. 

Besides her parents, Loretha was preceded in death by her sister Betty McCumber and her brother Melvin Lozier.  Loretha is survived by daughter Anita Jean McHugh (Jack) of Commercial Point, OH and son James Perry Miller (Sharon) of Blanchester, OH.  Also survived by four grandchildren Ashley Anna McHugh-Fogleman (John), John Patrick McHugh (Catie), David Boyer (Melissa), Julie Amanda Kuhn (Nick). And she is survived by eight great-grandchildren Olivia Jean McHugh, Charlotte Avery McHugh, Alexander David Boyer, Kylie Elizabeth Boyer, Matthew James Boyer, Peyton Scott Boyer, Colton James Kuhn and Kenna Rose Kuhn.

Due to COVID-19 visitation is for family only will be held from 10:00-10:30 a.m. with a funeral service for family only to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct 26th at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St, Ashville 43103 with Pastor Ron Goodling officiating.  Interment will follow at Fernwood Cemetery at 11:45 in Lockbourne, OH and is open to the public. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Loretha Lilly Miller of Lockbourne, Ohio was born on October 18, 1938 to Anna Pauline and Harless Melvin Lozier.  Her mother passed away when she was only 13 years of age.  She was married on October 2, 1954 to Meredith Eugene Miller her husband of 32 years.  Together they had two children, Anita Jean McHugh (Miller) and James Perry Miller.

Loretha married just before her 16th birthday and finished her high school education by completing her GED when she was an adult. She always had a love for art and while living in Pegram, TN she graduated from a mail course named Famous Artist School. She directed her talents more toward crafts, floral arrangements, and wreaths.

While raising her son and daughter, she and her husband traveled entertaining in Holiday Inns, Bob Evans Farm, and other localities. Loretha, known as “Rita” accompanied her husband on the drums in their comedy act “Miller and Company.”  They also owned a local business in Grove City where they entertained as well known as “Mike and Rita’s Lounge.”

After raising a son and daughter, Rita went back to school to gain her real estate license and became a successful Realtor for 14 years.  Again in a partnership, she owned and operated another local business called, The Mellon House which featured antiques, crafts, and art.  It was during this time she began painting lessons with a local artist and instructor David Maple.

Retiring in 2001 she continued to pursue painting, and in August of 2002, she began to show her work which was very well received.  After receiving several awards, Rita opened an Antiques and Gifts Shop known as the RMiller Art Gallery located on the Ohio River in New Richmond, Ohio in 2003.

Rita enjoyed travel and shared many trips with friends, especially her companion Charles Gamble.  She owned a condo in Cincinnati which she enjoyed immensely still painting and displaying her art in local venues while being employed by Visiting Angels.

Her favorite flower was the daisy and her favorite color was green.  She loved playing Euchre, but her favorite game Scrabble, was best played with a tough competitor, Betty McCumber (her sister).

She told the story of her very tall Aunt Mary defending her to an elementary teacher for trying to make her write with her right hand.  Rita was left-handed and was going to remain so.

Mom loved to laugh, paint, travel, and listen to Canon in D major. She was an inspiration and a true entrepreneur who loved her family, and we loved her.  Mom, you will be missed. And since you loved them so much, when we see a beautiful sunset, we will be thinking of you.

Online condolences at olivercheekfuneralhome.com

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