Twyla Lee (Carter) Miller active and healthy her entire life, died peacefully at the age of 95 in her sleep December 21, 2022, at her home in Lee’s Summit, MO. No services: make memorial donations to Share the Harvest Food Pantry, 689 N State Hwy, Camdenton, MO. 65020.
A proud Iowan and Midwesterner, Twyla was born July 2, 1927, the only child of Maxine (Moore) and Leo Carter. Raised on their farm, as she said it “dirt poor but I was never hungry,” she graduated from Leon High School, Leon, IA. Twyla met her husband Maurice D. Miller on the Allerton roller rink after he returned from WWII. They soon married and moved to Des Moines for work. Coming from nothing, they together built a house that became the creation of their family home for over 50 years bearing three successful children, William Lee, Bruce James, and Becky Jo.
With a talent for typing and bookkeeping, Twyla began her 40 year career as a role model for women in the workplace; first, in the office of the Leon Ford dealer, then progressing through several office jobs to running the office and as corporate Secretary for Backman Sheet Metal (“the tin shop” as she fondly called it). Twyla then became active in the Iowa Legislature the next 20 years as legislative assistant to two State Representatives and Senators. Twyla enjoyed her family, cooking (known for her famous “green worms” noodles), playing bridge, entertaining and socializing with her many lifelong friends, travelling, and square dancing on a national level before retiring to Sunrise Beach, Missouri on the 11 Mile Marker, Lake of the Ozarks for over 20 years before Maurice’s death in 2015.
Twyla is survived by son William (daughter-in-law Shelley Eason Miller) of Newport News, VA, son Bruce (daughter-in-law Laura Havelka Miller) of Blue Springs, MO, daughter Becky Jo Miller Knapp (son-in-law Timothy Knapp) of Delray Beach, FL, and half-brother Rodney Carter (sister-in-law Sue) of Westminster, CO. Twyla was the beloved grandmother of six grandchildren: Kelly (Chris) Ricker, Jennifer (Jason) Pareti, Daniel (Holly) Miller, Megan (Peter) Lanier, Melissa Knapp, Miles Knapp; eight great grandchildren William and Owen Ricker, Sophia, Isabella, Jack and Cole Pareti, Link and Kirin Miller; and favorite aunt of Scott Carter.
Obituary submitted by family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441