Chelsea Marie Miller's Obituary
Chelsea Marie Miller, 33, passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her parents, Alvin William Miller, Jr. and Lori Walker Miller, her sister Julie Lauren Miller, nieces Claire and June Little, all of Memphis, aunts Phyllis Madison of Nashville, Charlotte Armstrong of Germantown, and Vicki Childs of Parma, OH.
Born on November 5th,1987, Chelsea was the youngest of two daughters. The family resided in Germantown, TN. Chelsea’s notable musical talents were nurtured with piano and cello lessons throughout her formative years. Chelsea graduated from Saint Agnes Academy H.S. in Memphis in 2006, where her interest in vocal musical performance blossomed.
She received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Drury University in Springfield, MO, graduating magna cum laude in 2010. From there Chelsea moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to attend LSU, and received a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance. After graduation, Chelsea worked to establish a professional career as an opera singer, traveling to and performing with Chautauqua Opera in New York state, Anchorage Opera Company, San Francisco Opera, the Ohio Light Opera, and Kentucky Opera. She was also a frequent fixture on the Opera Memphis stage.
Chelsea’s stage presence and coloratura operatic voice moved audiences to laughter and tears. She was known to have the talent of a diva but without the attitude. She never saw herself as a star, but her performances and reviews said otherwise.
She will be remembered for her kindness, her honesty, and her compassion. She was a devoted dog mom to her diabetic, half Tibetan terrier, half
Shih Tzu, Worf. Chelsea’s loved ones and her wide reaching opera “family” friends are devastated by her loss.
As is sung in Stephen Sondheim’s finale number “Children Will Listen” from the musical “Into the Woods”: “Sometimes people leave you, Halfway through the wood, Do not let it grieve you, No one leaves for good” Chelsea’s family has chosen to forego visitation. In keeping with Chelsea’s love of nature and hiking, her ashes will be scattered in the Smokey Mountains with her parents, sister, nieces, aunts, cousins and lifelong friends, Christine Lamey and Meghan Price, both of Memphis, in attendance. Rest in peace, Chelsea.
Donations should be made to Opera Memphis. Here is a link to the website: www.operamemphis.org Click on the red “Support Us” button in the upper right corner, and scroll down to the “Donate” button and complete the form, or call 901.202.4542 and request to make a donation in Chelsea Miller’s name.
To view the memorial tribute video. Please click the link below.
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/Z7KFMTS5NRJY6LRG
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