Retired First Baptist Church pastor Paul Sears spoke about Patty Waite Miller at the dedication of a bench in her honor.

SHERMAN — Friends and classmates of Patty (Waite) Miller gathered in front of the Yorker Museum in Sherman recently not just to dedicate a memorial bench in her honor, but to share memories of her life.

Patty (Waite) Miller died on February 28, 2021, at 54 years of age, but as the Rev. Paul Sears, retired pastor of the First Baptist Church across the street from the Yorker Museum, said, “her life was full.”

Michele Warner spearheaded the effort with the Sherman Central School Class of 1987, to have a bench in Patty’s memory put in place before Memorial Day.

“Patty was my friend, my neighbor and my classmate and I wanted to pay tribute to her.” she said.

Warner said she and Miller had known each other since they were very young, “When I was four, we moved to Klondike Street and Patty was my first friend. Soon after she became my classmate.”

Warner reminisced about how much Miller enjoyed walking throughout her life.

“There wasn’t a day that I did not travel up and down Klondike Street and see Patty walking” she said. “Whether it was raining or snowing or windy, she just wanted to walk.”

Kimberly Cole came forward and told how she was best friends with Miller throughout their school years and their entire lives.

“Patty and I grew up as best friends forever,” she said. “We started in the nursery at that church.”

Cole spoke of how Miller was a wonderful mother. She shared her memory of the time when Miller’s son, Kenny was 1Ç years old and she had to rush him to Buffalo, where he received treatment for cancer.

“She was just such a wonderful mother. She spent weeks taking care of him (Kenny) in Buffalo,” she said. “And I really miss her,” she said.

Sears spoke of Miller’s joy in life, but also of her fortitude.

“Patty had some hard times in her life,” he said. “She had a hope in Jesus, she had family that loved her and she had friends like you, gathered here today.”

Sears went on to say how Miller lived a life filled with church, community family and care-giving.

“Whether down at the softball diamond, at the church or at the gymnasium, Patty was involved in it,” he said. “She had a great spirit of joy. Patty was involved with the whole life of Sherman.”

Sears elaborated on Miller’s involvement with First Baptist Church including youth group, sports and many other things.

“We loved her very much,” he said. “The one thing we are most grateful for is that she was a part of our church and she loved the Lord.”

Sears said he was shocked when he learned of Miller’s death.

“She was a great mom and she had a great life,” he said. “She always had a good spirit and a great attitude. She would give extra time to whoever needed it. She was strong in the spirit of fortitude.”