MILLER, BARBARA NESBITT (1947 ~ 2016). The following is an obituary for Barbara "Babs" Miller, spouse of Texas House Member Rick Miller. The obituary was published in the Fort Bend Independent on February 5, 2016.

Barbara Nesbitt Miller (Babs) died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Sugar Land, Texas on February 2, 2016. She was born on May 25, 1947 in Washington, D.C. The youngest of three girls, Babs spent her early life in the Washington suburbs. In October of 1958, the family moved to Beirut, Lebanon where her father became Head Economic Officer of the Embassy and acting Ambassador.

After returning from Beirut in 1961, Babs graduated from Walter Johnson High School. She then attended the University of Maryland where she majored in American Studies with an interest in classical art, and was a member of Tri Delta Sorority.

While attending the University of Maryland, Babs met Midshipmen 2nd Class D.F. (Rick) Miller on a blind date. Rick and Babs were married in Bethesda, Maryland on June 15, 1968. Their bond was powerful, and they were inseparable. Because of Rick’s military career they moved frequently, living at various times in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, Virginia, and Maryland, before settling in Texas in 2000. In 2012, with Babs’ support, Rick became the District 26 Representative to the Texas Legislature.

Babs was an intense Republican who, according to a friend, had one setting: “full steam ahead.” This was particularly true in political matters. She served on the board of the Spirit of Freedom Republican Women, serving as its president in 2008 and 2009, and was a delegate to the Texas Republican Convention and the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Babs was also a profoundly religious woman of deep Christian faith. Her many friends remember her for her powerful and strong support of Israel, her devotion to pro-life causes, and her commitment to reinforcing America’s Judeo-Christian roots. Babs was the epitome of a “Proverbs 31” Woman. She studied the Bible extensively, taught bible study classes at various churches, and traveled to the Holy Land several times. In addition to her deep and abiding faith and her devotion to her family, Babs also loved ballet, music, and all the arts.

Babs was preceded in death by her parents, Trevanion and Marjorie Nesbitt, and her youngest son, Mark Patrick Miller. Babs is survived by her husband, Rick, and her two sons, Scott (Amy) and Beau (Patrick), her sisters, Lynne (George) and Claire (Christopher), her three grandchildren, Paige, Rhys, and Charley, and her nieces and nephews, Suzanne, Julie, Douglas, Flavia, Ted, Jeff, Carter, John, and Devon. Her family will remember her with enormous joy, and takes great pride and strength from the outpouring of love and support they have experienced following her death.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 6-8 pm at the Sugar Land Mortuary in Sugar Land, Texas. Funeral services will be Friday, February 12, 2016 at 4 pm at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 12 pm at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Babs’ memory to either Leukemia Texas, 6060 North Central Expressway, Suite 416, Dallas, Texas or Blessing Israeli Believers, P.O. Box 564, Pearland, Texas 77588.