After a 10-year hard-fought battle with the earthly scourge of cancer, our family’s hero, champion, protector and leader, Minister Flora Fort Miller, passed away peacefully at 4:32 p.m. on Saturday, September 18th, surrounded by her family. Our mother was one of the sweetest people on this planet, who loved her family, friends and her church, Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, in which she was a dedicated member, financial board volunteer and assistant minister for over 40 years. Our mother never met a stranger. In fact, we have seen her on numerous occasions walk up to college kids in a bus station who lacked money to get home and give them money; or walk up to a homeless person on the street and not just give them money, but take them to a restaurant to tell them to order what they wanted.

Though she was such a sweet person, our Mother was as tough as nails and a true warrior. Before she decided to stop futile treatments and pass away with dignity on her own terms, she told her trusted son David, “I put up a good fight. I tried my best and battled this disease every step of the way, with everything I had and more.” She was a true fighter and was by far one of the spiritually, physically and mentally strongest individuals on earth. In fact, on the day that she went into the hospital for the last time after chemo and radiation had ravaged her body and her physical strength to the point where she could barely walk, she got up and worked to make sure she and her family had a better life.

Flora was born in Northport, Alabama on January 13, 1948, the thirteenth and last child of Mrs. Eva Pearl Eatmon and Monroe Eatmon. She left the racially segregated South – which has a long history of trampling on the hopes and aspirations of African-Americans – as a teenager and moved to Worcester, MA in search of a better life. She was educated in both Alabama and Massachusetts. In addition to all of the much warranted superlatives, Flora was known as a hard working woman who owned her own small business for over 50 years, while working at Allegro Microsystems, a semi-conductor company, for 25+ years. She was a community activist (i.e. confronted numerous drug dealers in her neighborhood to stop selling drugs to youth, etc.). She was a long time supporter of numerous charities, especially Saint Jude Hospital and Save the Children. She also financially supported several universities financially, especially Colgate University, mentored many young people and performed missionary work in her community.

Minister Miller had three children, Janice (Eatmon) Bull from Worcester, MA, Charles “Chuck” Fort and David (Fort) Mapinga-Kabonga and his wife Kimberly Kabonga both from Worcester, MA. She is predeceased by her son, Charles Fort. Minister Miller leaves behind not only her remaining children, but her three grandchildren: Monique Bull, Janay Bull and Dominique Bull, as well as her three great-grandchildren Jada Norfleet, Javion Norfleet and Taron Troy. Additionally, Minister Miller leaves behind her remaining living siblings Bobbie Eatmon from Queens, NY and Frances Eatmon from Northport, Alabama, and so many nieces, nephews, friends and church family members, who loved her so much. Furthermore, Flora is predeceased by nine out of her 13 siblings: Eva Lee Johnson, Jessie B Wallace, Johnny Mae Fowler, Lorena Horton, Willie Mae Eatmon, James Eatmon, Herbert Lee Eatmon, Annie Mae Curry and Benjamin Eatmon.

Though we will miss her laughter, her smile, her tireless energy, her incredible strength and her incomparable dedication, we definitely know that she is with Jesus.

Though she had brought many people to Christ in her life as a minister, missionary and friend, her best advice going forward to all, especially to her children “is to dedicate your life to God and trust him, no matter what, especially during the difficult times. God never fails and with him, we will never lose.” We will follow your advice Mom. Mom, we are so proud of you and you will always be our hero. We wish you were still on earth with us, but God needed you more. When you left this life, God welcomed you into his fold by saying “Well done, good and faithful servant; though hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the lord.” You are loved until infinity and back. Miss you our champion and leader.

Calling Hours will be on Saturday, September 25, from 8 a.m. until her Funeral Service begins at 9 a.m. at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Interment will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.