ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA
Edythe C. Miller, 100 years and 9 months died on August 14, 2023, in hospice care in Zephyrhills, Florida. She had lived in assisted living for the last two years. She would say to us that her work on earth is now finished. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on November 4, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Zephyrhills with burial on November 6 at 11:00 AM in City Cemetery, Columbus, Indiana.
Edythe Anna Morris was born on November 5, 1922, to William Lee and Kate (Kent) Morris in Columbus, Indiana. She attended Garfield Elementary School and graduated from Columbus High School in 1940. Edythe attended Indiana University following high school. She worked at the Columbus Evening Republican from 1941-1960. Edythe served as church secretary for Kemp Methodist Church, Tipton in 1961. From 1962-1965 she worked in the Tipton County Clerk of District Court’s office. In 1965 she began her employment with Tudor and Yager Construction Company where she was the assistant to the Corporate Secretary and did accounting for the company until her retirement in 1988.
On September 11, 1948, she married James A. Cochran in Columbus, Indiana. They lived in Columbus, and both were employed at the Evening Republican until 1960 when they moved to Tipton, IN. Jim died May 6, 1980. Edythe married John B. Miller on January 1, 1989, and they made Zephyrhills their year-round home in 1995.
Edythe had been a Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church in both the Northern Indiana and Florida conferences since 1981. She served as Lay Leader for the Methodist church in the Florida conference from 2000-2003. Edythe was a life-long member of United Methodist Women and served in many local and district offices. Survivors include daughter Jeanne Narum, Zephyrhills, FL, grandchildren Katie (Kazunori) Miyamoto, Kumamoto, Japan; Kyle James Narum (Kristi), Jordan, MN; and Kent Lynn Narum (Elisabeth), St. Peter, MN; six great grandchildren, Hailey, Carter, Elijah, Leif, Jun, and Haru. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, James A. Cochran and John B. Miller; one son, James Kent Cochran; son-in-law, Terry; two brothers W. Kent and Donald C. Morris; and sister Helen Louise Wiley.
