Loretta Rose Miller

Obituary for Loretta Rose Miller

Loretta was born August 24, 1917 in San Diego California. She was raised in Bakersfield by her parents Theo and Rose Miller along with her only sibling, her brother Lloyd.

Loretta loved music and began performing professionally in her early years. When she was age nineteen she accompanied an entertainment troupe to the Hawaiian Islands and toured for eight months. On her return to the mainland she purchased a car with the money she saved. She worked in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and other locales in theatre, musical productions, and night clubs.

She toured the United States for several years with other stage and music performers and made a great effort to break into show business in the movie industry in Los Angeles. She was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and other professional organizations and had a lifetime passion for music, acting, and entertaining. She was also a composer and wrote the music and lyrics for several songs. Even as she aged she sought parts written for older actors. Entertainment was truly her passion.

To pay the mortgage on her home and keep bread on the table she waited tables, was a dinner hostess, and tended bar at many high end restaurants in Los Angeles. She was also a licensed real estate agent. She attended college, took acting and voice lessons, was an avid reader, and loved animals; especially dogs and cats.

Loretta returned to Bakersfield in 2003 much to the enjoyment of her family and spent her final years making new friends, raising her cats, and generally being independent. She lived alone, drove her car, and managed her own affairs until the final few weeks of her life. She passed away March 20th, 2012 at the age of ninety four and half years.

She is survived by her niece Margie Taylor and husband Val and her nephew Robert Miller and wife Wilma. Loretta is also survived by five great nieces and nephews and thirteen great-great nieces and nephews.

Viewing for Loretta will be Sunday March 25 at Kern River Family Mortuary Chapel from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Graveside services will be held Monday March 26th, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. at Greenlawn Cemetery on Panorama and River Blvd.