Dolores Jane Gates Miller was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 16, 1927, the daughter of Dr. Donley Gates and Estelle Boyce Gates. She was married to Myron Howard Miller from January 4, 1947 until his passing in 1980. From the time of her marriage, she lived on the Miller family farm, a Missouri century farm. After Myron's passing, Dolores took over the running of the farm.

Family was central to her life, and this priority translated itself into a passion for genealogical research—most of which she accomplished in the days before the Internet! In this way, she taught her children and grandchildren the stories that formed the fabric of their larger family story.

Dolores was a born artist and teacher. Although she never received formal training, her artwork can be found in many homes and buildings in the Dixon area and beyond. For 25 years, she worked at Dixon Middle School, where one of her chalk murals has been preserved in a classroom. Her love of literature and poetry made her a patient teacher, and many former students remember her helping them learn to read and write.

Dolores passed away peacefully on September 1, 2014 after a long illness. She is survived by their five children Lynette (Frank) Ballard, Marshall (Carol) Miller, Wendell Miller, Kenneth Miller, and Myra Miller; her brothers Myron C. (Marcella) Gates and Rector K. (Kathy) Gates; her four grandchildren Jane (Boaz) Roth, Jason (Cathy) Miller, Eric (Jennifer) Miller, and Andrew Miller; her five great-grandchildren Liat, Sela, and Orli Roth and Evan and Lily Miller. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna, Missouri, followed by a graveside service in Dixon, Missouri.