Norma Jean Potts Miller

Norma Jean Potts Miller, a longtime resident of Cleveland, Ga., died Oct. 14, 2021, following ongoing health issues and a short stay at Seasons Hospice in Cumming. She was 83.

She was born August 22, 1938, to Roy Potts Sr. and Martha Cohen Potts in Pittsburgh. As a young wife and mother, she moved from Pittsburgh with her husband, Robert (Bob), and their children to Stuart, Fla., where both were active in local politics, and then moved with her husband to North Georgia 38 years ago. After spending several years in Atlanta, she returned to Cleveland.

She is survived by her three children: Robert Miller, Jr. (Kathy) of Kansas City, Mo., Connie Miller Keck of Cleveland, and Lisa Miller Heller (Rob) of Atlanta. She also is survived by five grandchildren: Peter Keck of Helen, Ga.; Amanda Keck Toner (Bobby) of Cleveland; Seth Heller of Madison, Wisc.; Ben Heller of Los Angeles; and Sean Miller of South Georgia. She also is survived by her sister, Stella Wallace, of Cleveland, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her brother, Command Sgt. Major Roy Potts, Jr., and her son-in-law N. Mark Keck.

Before entering the hospital, and then Hospice, she experienced the joy of holding her second great-grandchild, Jameson Thomas Toner. Her first great-grandchild is Dakota Miller, of South Georgia. Family has always been most important to Norma and her husband, who died in 2000.

Norma and Bob Miller both had a keen interest in public service and social issues. He was a former Mayor of Stuart, previously a city commissioner, and she served on the Martin County School Board. There she was instrumental in obtaining state funding for South Fork High School, the second high school in Martin County. Her passion about education led her to become an educational consultant and speaker. In Georgia, she and her daughter Connie created Clear Choice Educational Products and traveled internationally, helping train teachers in innovative educational processes.

Her love of shopping and beautiful objects led her to open an antique store in Avondale Estates in Atlanta after being widowed. She was an avid reader and cook, and loved entertaining, especially during the holidays. She could taste a food and often identify all the ingredients and reproduce the recipe.

Norma set goals and achieved them through considerable talent and perseverance. She had a big personality, and a big heart. She was so proud of her family, and was their champion and supporter. Her absence will be most difficult for those who loved her.

Arrangements are by Barrett Funeral Home 118 North Brook Street in Cleveland. The family will celebrate her life at 6 p.m. on November15th. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Next Rung, https://www.nextrung.org/pages/changed-lives-campaign