Dorothy Ann Gilberson Miller

Dorothy Ann Gilberson Miller, 96, entered into eternal life on Monday, August 29, 2022. She was born on October 26, 1925 to Dr. Joseph Gilberson and Annie Blakely Gilberson in Andrews, S.C. At the age of 4, she went to live in Jacksonville, Florida with her grandparents, where she developed a close bond with her grandfather. Later in life, she would enjoy reminiscing about her early years with him and loved to tell of how he would sometimes ask her to go pick an ear of corn from their garden and bring it to him. She would then ask, "Is it ready yet Grandpappy," and he would reply, "Not yet Sugarlump!"

Dorothy returned to Charleston just before she started high school. After graduating from Bishop England High School, Dorothy attended the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina, ultimately pursuing her calling as a nurse. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier Infirmary Training School for Nurses in 1949 as a Registered Nurse. She got her first nursing job at St. Francis Hospital, where she met and married Dr. Edwin H. Miller. Together, they raised 7 children on Sullivan's Island. She used to say the best years of her life were spent on "the island" caring for her children, grandchildren and pets.

In her role as "Mom," Dorothy provided a setting of love, support, sacrifice and discipline for her children. She gave selflessly to her family and became a second mother to many of her children's friends, who were always greeted with a smile, a kind word, and something good to eat, as she loved to cook and usually had something delicious sitting on the stove. She instilled in her children a great sense of compassion and respect for nature, animals, and for other people. Her great love of animals earned her the nicknames "Bushy Tail" and "Ol' Gray Wolf" from her children.

Throughout her life, she stayed active as a nurse, as time allowed, and retired from the Medical University of SC in 1992. She was a member of Phi Mu National Fraternity. Dorothy dedicated her life to helping others. Her family was her proudest accomplishment. She will be dearly missed but will live in our hearts forever. She was a Catholic and longtime member of St. John's Church.

She is survived by 6 children: Mary (Craig), Anne (John), Edwin (Lynette), Grace (Bobby), Dottie (Bill), and Matthew, 5 grandchildren: Mary Riddle, David Toma, Russell Smith and Braxton Smith, and Stephanie Collier, and 5 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Riddle, Dayton and Calynn Smith, Eva Smith, and Nora English, and her beloved Chihuahua, Little Boy. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edwin H. Miller, a son, Joseph A. Miller and a great-grandson, James Markley Riddle.

Her funeral is 11am Tuesday. September 6 at St. John's Catholic Church and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Charleston Animal Society.