Savannah Miller Young, was born Anna Maria Miller to the union of Willie Miller and Julia Hibbler Miller on January 12, 1937 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Keeping in the tradition of her Catholic faith, Savannah was originally named at birth for two important members of the Holy Family, Anna, the mother of Mary, and Mary, the mother of Christ. Her paternal grandmother was named Savannah and she began calling her granddaughter by her own name, and eventually the name stuck.
The Miller family were the founders and editors of two newspapers – The Mississippi Weekly in Vicksburg and the Mississippi Enterprise in Jackson. Mr. Miller went on to manage the paper for over 50 years in Jackson, Mississippi, which is where Savannah spent most of her formative years. Savannah began her education in a primary school affiliated with what is now Jackson State University, however at age 7, her parents decided to send her to Holy Providence Boarding School in Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania in hopes of circumventing the effects of her having to grow up in the harsh racial climate in Mississippi during the Jim Crow segregation era. Later on Savannah attended both Tougaloo High School and Tougaloo College before transferring to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she studied chemistry, biology and math, earning a B.S. in 1959. After receiving her teaching certificate, Savannah taught science at Fatima High School for two years, in Westphalia, Missouri. She then went on to earn her masters in science education from Lincoln University in 1963, with a concentration in political thought and education, and a doctorate in curriculum development, supervision and instructional research from St. Louis University in 1972.Â
On February 23, 1977, Savannah married the love of her life, Rufus Young, Jr. While no children were born directly of this union, together they loved and nurtured a host of nieces and nephews and one goddaughter that they treated as their own. Savannah was also blessed with Gail and Jill, Rufus’ children from a previous marriage.
Savannah was a champion for children, an academic scholar and an eminent educational leader whose career spanned more than 50 years of service to K-12 and higher education with a heavy emphasis on science, reading and parenting. In addition to working as a teacher she served as principal of Shepard Accelerated School for 11 years, where her efforts won the 1997 National Blue Ribbon School Award. Savannah served three years as the Saint Louis Public Schools Executive Director of Middle School Education and 10 years as the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary School Education for the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Her work in both school districts also involved administration and supervision of curriculum and instructional programs. Savannah was also an assistant professor at St. Louis University and was an adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University until the time of her death. Savannah was highly regarded as a lecturer and author. With over sixteen publications to her credit, she was most known for her 1997 book entitled, English: An African American Handbook.
An active member of the community, Savannah was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also worked closely with the St. Louis County Commission on Human Rights, People’s Health Clinics, the JUGS, Inc. (Justice, Unity, Generosity, Service, Inc.), The Amelians, Inc., The Women’s Society of Washington University, St. Louis Booklovers, Marian Oldham Scholarship Committee, and St. Philip’s Lutheran Church where she and Rufus were members.
On Monday, October 22, 2012 Savannah departed her earthly home, in exchange for one in heaven where she joined her beloved Rufus, along with her parents, Willie Miller and Julia Miller; brother, Joseph Pyles, Sr.; nephews: Byron and Danley; and her best friend, Sylvia Elliott.
Her sweet spirit remains embedded in the memories of those surviving: Her step-daughters: Gail Allmon (Wendell) and Jill Young Menears (Mario); her goddaughter, Samantha Elliott Briggs (Calvin); nieces: Pamela, Joni, Inger; nephews: John, Stanley, Mario; grand-nieces: Jennifer, Stacy, Veronicia, Debra, Juliana; and a grand-nephew, David, all of whom Savannah considered her children. She also leaves behind her step-grandchildren: Wendi Duplessis (Rem), Gina and Gabrielle Allmon; Brandon Young-Fountain, Blake and Brett Young-Fountain; step-great-grandchildren: Remmi, Luke, and Kaden. Savannah was also a second grandmother to her great nieces: Morgan, Sydney, Ava, Lauren, Jordan, as well as to Micah and Elijah. In addition to countless students, colleagues and friends, Savannah also leaves behind a few special people: Doretha Gilbert, Jane Irving and Mary Cobb.
