Charlotte L. Miller's Obituary
Charlotte Lucille Miller was born August 8, 1937, to the late John and Louise Washington in Chicago, IL . She was the fifth child of ten children to their union. She was preceded in death by her siblings: John Washington, Harold Washington, Jean Washington, and Marilyn Washington. She was also preceded in death by Calvin John Birks, son; Vanessa Birks, daughter; Kiwan and Calvin, Jr., (wife, Patrice); and great-grandson, C. J. Calvin Birks, Jr., two brother-n-laws, Jerome Miller (Doody) and James Miller (Butch).
Charlotte confessed to Christ at an early age. She attended Doolitttle Elementary School and Wendell Phillips High School. She worked at Michael Reese Hospital.
Charlotte married Larry Birks. To their union, seven children were born. She later moved her family to Southern California and worked at several military bases. There, she would meet the love her life, Ulysses Miller, Jr. They would live the last 50 years of her life in marital bliss. Charlotte was able to fulfill her life with work at Child-Care Centers at military bases, while traveling many parts of the world. Together they poured their lives into the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 0049 and the Ladies Auxillary.
Charlotte became very involved in local veteran projects that the Ladies Auxillary supported from local and state-wide initiatives, to planning for National Purple Heart Conventions. She was well known for her participation in Purple Heart work. Most notably, Charlotte was named by the Ladies Auxillary as “Person of The Year”, for all her hard work and dedication to the organization. The award was made in October, 2020.
Charlotte was a caring person, affectionately known to her family as “Roni”. Roni would help anyone who needed help. If she had a dollar and you were in need, she would give you fifty cents. If you needed her, she was there. She loved her family and children, no matter the circumstance. She will be truly missed. She had her own jazzy way of letting you know she cared. She was a special lady.
On Sunday, December 6, 2020 Jesus called Charlotte’s name and she took His hand with joy.
Charlotte leaves a devoted family to cherish her memories. She is survived by her husband, Ulysses Miller, Jr. She is also survived by her sons, Lawrence Birks (Tennessee); Warren Birks (San Bernardino, CA); daughters, Tara (Donald) Johnson (Colton, CA); April Birks (Victorville, CA); and Sheila Birks (San Francisco, CA); 23 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers and sister-n-laws, Earl (Doris) Washington, (Chicago, IL) and James (Evina) Washington (South Holland, IL); three sisters and four brother-n-laws, Jeanette Baggett (Chicago, IL) Sylvia Washington (Harvey,IL); Linda (Derrick)Cobb (Chicago, IL) and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.
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