Obituaries

Diane Elizabeth Miller

Obituary

Diane Elizabeth Miller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, teacher and friend, joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven, Friday, May 23, 2025.

 

Diane Elizabeth Smeed was born to Betty and Glenn Smeed, Sr. in Orangeburg, South Carolina March 31, 1944. She was the only daughter, oldest child and a sister to her brothers Stephen, Glenn and Paul. Her dad often referred to her by the name of Princess.

 

Soon after Diane was born, Glenn and Betty moved to Eugene, Oregon and raised their family there. As a child she was quiet and shy. Growing up, she loved spending time with her cousins and family.

 

Diane graduated from South Eugene High School and met Robin Miller while earning her undergraduate teaching degree at the University of Oregon. Robin worked for her father at his business Smeed Sound Service while also attending the University of Oregon.  He was drafted in January 1966 into the United States Army, Robin and Diane married in March 1966, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Oregon in June of 1966 .  She wasn’t able to join her husband, stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, until she graduated!

 

In the little town of Lapel, Indiana, Diane started her teaching career as a 6th grade elementary school teacher.  There, the other 6th grade teacher and mentor, Jack Howell, inspired and encouraged her to pursue an advanced degree since Robin was also in college studying Engineering at the same time.  She graduated from Butler University in Indiana with her master’s degree in 1969.

 

Robin and Diane welcomed Gregory Rob in January 1970. She taught school full time until they moved to the Pacific Northwest.  In 1972, the Miller’s moved from Lapel, Indiana to Renton, Washington once Robin graduated from Purdue and took a job with the Boeing company. They welcomed Stephanie Diane in February 1973.

 

She stayed home until Greg and Stephanie were school age, but she never stopped teaching.  Diane became involved at the Renton First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school, as well as organizing the Minnows women’s group to provide meals to people in the church who experienced births, deaths or major surgeries.  When Stephanie was in 1st grade, Diane began substitute teaching so she could have the same vacation/school schedules.  Family is very important, and her focus was being available and very present for her family.  As time went on, though teaching school, Diane found time to be a Campfire leader, fostered adventures in camping, chaperoned school events, and belonged to several carpools to ferry kids to sports, ballet, 4-H and band practice. In addition, she was a Den Mother during Cub Scout and later Boy Scouting weeklong events.

 

When Stephanie was in High School, Diane went back to full-time teaching for another 25 years. She helped start up Gold Bar Elementary school, in the Sultan School District. Diane spent countless additional hours beyond the typical school day, working to ensure lessons were prepared, papers were graded, kids were fed who didn’t have means, and made special surprises for each student. This created an encouraging and engaging environment that kids loved. She started the ASL (American Sign Language) club as an after-school activity. Diane continued learning and achieved Model Classroom awards on several occasions.  Long after she had students in her class, she often received graduation announcements, wedding and birthday celebration invitations for past students. In 2013 she retired at the age of 69, though continued as a substitute teacher for a few years afterward because she missed the kids and teaching so much.

 

Diane was very active spiritually and all in for Jesus Christ.  She would talk to anyone and everyone about their needs for prayer and also merely "How are you doing?" and "How can I pray for you?" She genuinely cared about people. Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) was a source of community, guidance and a chance to really study God’s word.  Diane became involved in BSF in the 1970’s and was a Teaching Leader for decades up until 2024… 50 years. She also taught the Alpha course at church for those with questions about Christianity.

 

Staying active in her community, being outgoing and helpful to friends, family, neighbors and faithful to God, kept her young at heart. She touched many lives with her wisdom, humor, laughter and compassion.

 

Robin and Diane were married for 58 1/2 years until Robin passed away Sept. 25, 2024.  She is survived by her loving siblings, (Glenn & Karen Smeed, Paul & Karen Smeed) her children (Greg Miller and Stephanie & David Lewis), grandchildren (Sharayah & Nathan Lewis, Shad & Christi Lewis, Clara Lewis, Madison & Kyle Davis and Rebecca Lewis) and many friends and extended family.

 

A memorial service will be held at 2pm, November 1st, 2025, at the Chapel of the Resurrection in Bothell, WA.