Mildred Lee (Thomae) Biller passed away Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011.

She was born July 21, 1919, in Perth, Jefferson County, Miss., to Bertus Thomae Sr. and Rosa Lee (Dunn) Thomae.

Her close friends and family called her “Babe.” She was the baby of the family.

She was a gracious hostess and cooked many “fish fries” for the church family. Her favorite thing was family get-togethers. Her cooking was renowned in the family and church community. She was a tireless worker and was very tenacious.

She was involved in sanctity of life issues and Alzheimer’s research and care. She championed her beliefs. She was strong, but gentle as to how she expressed her beliefs.

She had a pleasant sense of humor. Her boys would push her to the limit playing jokes and she was always a good sport.

She worked very hard throughout her life. She was very pleasant and gracious even when she did not feel well.

Most of all, we will remember her as a choice servant of God and how she spoke clearly about salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.

She was a true lady with grace and poise. She knew what modesty and ladylike behavior was. She never ceased to pray for the president, whether she voted for him or not. She was willing to go the extra mile to help others even though her lifestyle was simple. She was an active Sunday school teacher and youth leader in church work for decades. She enjoyed going to church to hear good preaching. She studied the Bible daily.

It is ironic that the day of her death would have been her husband’s 91st birthday. We can hear her say, surprise Owen, happy birthday, I’ve come to join you in heaven. She and Owen were married 62 years.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Wilma (Thomae) Hamilton, Marion and Merrick Thomae (twins), Bertha (Thomae) Stefanchick, and Bertus Thomae Jr.

She was the beloved wife of Owen A. Biller Sr., who preceded her in death Feb. 13, 2006.

She was the mother of Owen (Tom) A. Biller Jr. and Douglas A. Biller. She was the mother-in-law of Martie Biller (wife of Tom) and Pamela Biller (wife of Douglas).

She is survived by her children of Tom and Martie Biller: Benjamin Biller and wife, Michelle Biller, and Susannah (Biller) Kness and husband, Austin Kness; the children of Douglas and Pam Biller: Jennifer (Biller) Hammond and husband, Adam Hammond, Rachel (Biller) Clemons and husband, Johnny Clemons, and Michelle (Biller) Cuzzort and husband, Michael Cuzzort; great-grandchildren of Benjamin and Michelle Biller are Emily Biller and almost-born Owen A. Biller III.; great-grandchildren through the lineage of Douglas and Pam Biller are Arabella Hammond, Corban Hammond and Alibeth Hammond, Jacob Whitman, Estella Rose Clemons, John Owen Clemons, Makayla Biller, Micah Biller and Maddox Cuzzort.

The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. David Hamilton, Pastor Jim Caywood, and the Rev. Adam Hammond officiating. Dr. Tom Biller will deliver the eulogy.

Internment will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 this evening at funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the International Mission Board; send a check or money order payable to IMB, 3806 Monument Ave., P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230. In the memo section: Lottie Moon Offering Office of Finance.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Biller family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.