LaFern Constance Portele Miller, 99 years old, peacefully passed away on July 19, 2022.   While we are saddened to have lost the matriarch of the Miller family and our greatest treasure, we realize how blessed we are to have had her steady, loving presence in our lives for all these years.

She loved her central Texas hometown of Marlin, Texas where she was born on November 27, 1922 to Celestine Demanche Portele and Rudolph Portele. The Portele family was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish and she attended Marlin High School where she was an excellent student, began her lifelong love of reading, and was a spirited cheerleader.  While attending Southwest Texas Teacher’s College, she met a handsome graduate student in the school library, Roland Miller, who became the love of her life.

When Roland enlisted in the army during World War II, she returned to Marlin and her parent’s home with their son Ronald, again residing in the loving arms of family and her hometown.  Once Roland returned, they continued their life together having three more children: Sharon, Monica and Steven.

LaFern, known by friends as Fern and by family as Fernie, was an outgoing person and always loved activities with family, friends and with her children’s catholic parish schools.  She was an active member of her childrens’ parent-teacher organizations taking on various leadership positions.  During her time in Galveston as a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, she spent many years managing the church’s Thrift Shop providing clothing and household items to those in need and raising funds for the church. She also enjoyed playing cards including poker and contract bridge and making casino trips which regularly included hitting some big wins at the 3-card poker table.

She was predeceased by her husband Roland Miller, her brother John Rudolph Portele, her sister Celestine Portele Bradley, and her youngest son Steven Miller marking the saddest time of her life.

Fern is survived by her sister, Loraine Portele Bearden (Louis), her son Ronald Miller, her daughters Sharon Miller Hernandez and Monica Miller Melson (Christopher); grandsons Todd Hernandez (Tahnee), Christopher Melson Jr (Leigh), and Steven Melson; great-grandchildren Jordan Morgan, Jaron Morgan, Jaselyn Hernandez, Jett Hernandez, Christopher Melson III, James Melson; great great-grandchild Merritt Morgan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

As she requested, a simple graveside service will be celebrated on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 1pm at Hillcrest Cemetery, 206 Hwy 147, Marlin, Texas.

As mentioned, she had a lifelong love of reading. In her later years her vision was diminished by macular degeneration.  The services of the Texas State Library’s Talking Book Program allowed her to continue her enjoyment of books.  We ask, in lieu of flowers, that donations by check be made to the Texas State Library noting on the memo line the donation is for the Talking Book Program. Please mail donations to:

Talking Book Program

P.O. Box 12516

Austin, TX  78711-2516