Cora Verneda Hood Miller, poet laureate
Cora Verneda Hood Miller, 81, of Rehoboth Beach departed this life Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, after an extended illness. She was born May 18, 1938, in Millsboro to Howard Hood and Gladys Coverdale Hood. She received her education in Sussex County, after which she began working in area restaurants. Following many years in the food service industry, she entered into domestic work. She married Martin J. Miller Sr. of Rehoboth Beach in May 1982.
She was a long-standing member of Faith United Methodist Church. She had many interests and hobbies. She enjoyed cooking, working crossword and cryptogram puzzles, and crocheting. She worked to serve her community with West Side New Beginnings Inc. She was an avid poet, writing and composing poems for any and all occasions. She was honored as Poet Laureate of the Sussex County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Organization. And, because of her creative ability, her poetry was requested by many and has led to a large body of work.
She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sisters Irene Geneva Whaley, Mary Kathryn Showell, Elsie Brittingham, Lillian Parker, Ruth Horsey and Gladys Hood; brothers, Courtland Hood, Leslie Hood and Thomas Hood; son Herbert (Mic) Hood; stepson Gerald Davis; granddaughter Brittany Hood; and great-granddaughter, Aiyzah Parker.
She leaves to mourn: seven children, Barbara Hood Baker (Dale) of Gainesville, Fla., Marshelia Hood and John Miller of Rehoboth, Martin J. Miller Jr. (Janice) and Benetta Miller of Blythewood, S.C., Antonio Miller (Schena) of Hartsville, S.C., and Jeremy Williams (Alpha Sr.) of Bridgeville; 15 grandchildren, Megan Hood, Mandi Hood, Brian Hood, Charmonica Hood-Mitchell (Donta), Luronda Parker (Dershawn), Martin Miller III (Angel), Callee Miller, Ashley Spangler, Vna Miller, Alpha Williams Jr., Ricardo Bannister, Isaac Tubbs, Promise Tubbs, Keelin Johnson and Elijah Morales; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Arnold Hood (Edith); daughter-in-law Bakeshia Hood; long time family friend, Merle Morris; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Cora was compassionate and generous. She touched those who met her and will be greatly missed.
Viewing will be held Friday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Faith UMC, 19940 Church St., Rehoboth Beach. Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at noon. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to service at Faith UMC.
To offer words of comfort , or visit the guest book visit http://www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional service entrusted by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
