Beverly Jean Inkton was born to N. L. Inkton and Darkies (Dorothy) May Hunley January 16, 1949, in Eudora, Arkansas. There she was reared by her loving grandparents Madear and Grandpa Hunley. In 1954, her mother and husband returned to Eudora for Beverly. As they walked the long dirt road to the train, she cried but Monroe Cashier took her hand, and said, “Stop crying gal, I’m your daddy now, don’t you worry about a thing.” Beverly Jean never worried about a thing from that point on. It was then they headed to Buchanan, Michigan.
Jean is the oldest of nine siblings: Marguerite Inkton Bland, Melvin, Eunice, Duane, Roque, Larry, Marilyn, Towanna, and Don Cashier. She was a proud big sister, helping her parents out with her siblings as they worked, and attended classes.
Beverly received her education in the Buchanan Schools System: Moccasin Elementary, Buchanan Middle School, and Buchanan High School. There she excelled in Home Economics, Shorthand, Candy Striping (nurses aide program), softball, track & field, drill team, and school choir. Most of these activities Jean was forbidden to participate in because Holiness would not allow girls to wear shorts, slacks or be a deterrent against the will of God for one’s life. Though saved and sanctified, filled with the precious Holy Ghost, she rebelled because she wanted to do what other kids were doing, and she was good at it.
During her 11th grade year of high school is when she began dating that long legged boy Bill Miller. They married the Saturday after her high school graduation, June 24, 1967, at Good Hope Baptist Church. Beverly and Bill enjoyed married life and entertaining friends at their apartment. Soon after Bill was drafted to Vietnam and enrolled to Lake Michigan School of Practical Nursing. At Lake Michigan she was the first Black recipient to receive a full scholarship from the Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She loved to study outside the box and continued her education at Norte Dame University of South Bend, Indiana on scholarships, and Los Angeles Valley College to complete a few courses to obtain her Registered Nursing Degree.
After Bill’s return from Vietnam, the couple conceived twin girls, Karen, and Sharon. After their demise came Kimberly Rochelle. Ten months later Ericka Camille, two years later Tonya Lela Yvette. They also enjoyed visits with Anthony, Bill’s son. In Michigan, they enjoyed county fairs, drag races, hunting, fishing, road trips, and hometown sporting events. In 1980, they relocated to Pasadena, California. There Beverly worked at Huntington Memorial Hospital and enjoyed walking down the street on New Year’s Day to enjoy her favorite parade in person, The Rose Parade. New birth began again for the Miller household, William James Jr. was born. They relocated to Pacoima, then Matthew Joseph, Chadwick Everett, Eddie Lawrence, and Geena Marie were born. Because of the range of age in the children Beverly acquired a community children across Los Angeles County.
Always steadfast in her commitment to God, Beverly served diligently from a child while it was day, until her night came a few days ago. She said, “Youth begat youth”,
So drawing her friends in as a girl during revivals with Eld. Melton Burton and Poppa Nathaniel Wells Sr., at Mt. Zion COGIC became her charge. She then continued serving the Lord with gladness at Holy Assembly COGIC (then Eld. Goodman); Open Door COGIC (Eld. Griffin); Christ Memorial COGIC ( Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch); Christ Tabernacle COGIC (Eld. Lawrence Kelly); and lastly West Angeles COGIC (Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr.). Bringing in the Sheaves….young teachable hearts onto the fold at each ministry. In 1983, Miller was licensed Evangelist Missionary by Bishop Crouch and Mother Esther Ferrell. Later she was appointed as Assistant Youth Department Chairlady, serving boldly with President Emmanuel Oggs, and Chairlady Barbara Fluker Chamberlain. She raised her children to follow suit as walking Bibles; serving with integrity; no lazy bones or dragging feet; loving others to life because a little leaven leavens a whole lump/ Doesn’t take much, just use what you got, and God will bless and increase. Beverly also served on the Nurses Guild of the Church of God in Christ. She wrote the song and motto for the guild, and it remains the song and motto. With this same vigor, her kingdom work ethics spread to the community with Youth Holding Hands, MASEED (Mothers Against Social Economical Educational Decline), Breaking Barriers Basketball Game between youth, firefighters, police officers, clergy, and community leaders. She served with City Council members, NAACP SFV Chapter, Pastors, and Los Angels Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti.
So much could be written and said about this gem of a lady, but it could never tell of all her life’s work attained. If she ever crossed your path your life was forever changed for the better. If you were hungry, she fed you. If you needed clothes, she clothed you. If you needed shelter, she housed you. If you were sick, she nursed you back to health. If you needed and good laugh, she was comedy. She’s been serving the Lord a long time, ain’t got tired yet…….For her hands did what they were supposed to do. Her feet went where they were supposed to go. Her day was done. Well done, thou good and faithful servant….enter now into the joy of the Lord.
Beverly is preceded in death by her parents Monroe Cashier, Dorothy Cashier; father N.L. Inkton; sister Marguerite Inkton Bland; stepson Anthony Anderson and daughter in law Delorce Anderson; children Karen, Sharen, Matthew Joseph, and Chadwick Everett; mother-in-law Wilhelmina Matten; father in laws Eddie Frazier and William Culley; sister in laws Patricia Ann Miller and Shirley Ann Culley; nieces Keri Culley and Shondra Frazier; brother-in-law Pastor Gregory Frazier; aunts and uncles.
Those that remain to cherish the treasure of Beverly’s love and memory are her loving and doting husband of fifty-five years William “Bill” Miller Sr.; her children Kimberly Augustus (Robert), Ericka Miller, Tonya Miller, William Miller Jr., Eddie Miller, and Geena Miller. Ten Grandchildren Anthony Maurice, Brianna Michelle, Lydia Danielle, Robert Antewan, Hananiah Rock, Azariah Strong, Christian Love, Ava Noel, Sir Ali Mandela, Lady LaMina Jean; Three Great Grandchildren Natalie Amanda, Noah Adrien, Braxton Lee, and Mila Rose; Gigi’s girl Jada Amina Wright; a nephew son and his family Michael Miller (Shaniqua), MJ, Michaela. Paris Beverly Kay, Patricia Kimberly Ann, and Major Sir Lee Miller; siblings Melvin Cashier, Eunice Williams, Duane (Viola) Cashier, Rocque (Howard) Cashier, Larry (Cindy) Cashier, Marilyn Cashier, Towanna (Kenya) Jones, Don (Elizabeth) Cashier; in-laws LaVada Dampier, Bishop Eddie (Diana) Miller, Hayward (Betty) Miller, Veronica Wright, Sandra Frazier, Willie Earl Culley, Delores Culley; Eddie (Beatrice) Culley; aunts Eddie Mae Hunley, Ruby Lee Bishop, and Ann Cashier; God children April Taylor, John Phillips Jr., Crystal Castillo-Young, Chad Patterson, and Jeremy Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, great friends, and community children. Her legacy will live on.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
Posted On: Friday, April 15, 2022 3:50 PM
