Serena Miller

On June 15, 2003, at 11:21 PM at Regional Medical Center in Memphis Tennessee. Carrie Swart welcomed to the world, a beautiful bubbly baby girl and gave her the name Serena Lin Swart after the movie named “Selena.” When Serena was born on this planet, it was as if she lived two lives at the beginning of her life. It started in Memphis, restarted in Alabama, Re-restarted in Memphis and returned to Alabama. WOW. Never complain about the deck of cards You have, just play the hand that has been dealt to you. At an early age, Serena committed her life to being a survivalist. This was the hand that was dealt to her. This was observed by her faithfulness to her baby sister. Kira came along in 2005. Serena loved Kira and enjoyed being her older sister so she could be able to boss someone around. If they needed something to eat and she could not find anything, she would fix a bowl of cereal or make a peanut butter sandwich. When they started to school if they missed the bus, then they would just walk to school. While growing up she spent over six years in foster care system. When Raena came along in 2009 “The baby sister”, if they were ever separated in different homes, Serena would not quit until they were all three in the same house. While Serena was growing up. She never knew for sure what she wanted to do as an occupation as an adult, so she sampled a few occupations as a pre-teen. She tried to be a dentist, in her sleep she pushed Kira off the top bunk and broke off part of her front tooth. After having the tooth repaired, Serena seen Kira with one of her ring pops in her mouth, Serena reached up and pulled it out of Kira's mouth and broke out her front teeth again, so she decided not to chase that dream. She tried being a fashion designer. So, she would take some of the doll clothes and put them on Kira, but that didn’t work out for her either. Then Serena knew for sure she had a dream that would make her a star at Hollywood and in the fashion world, “A hairstylist!” Yes, that’s right, she would do hair and become filthy, stinking rich and buy whatever she wanted for herself, family and friends. Serena would take Kira and use her as the model. She tried cutting straight bang lines, diagonal bangs, and offsetting bangs. Then to increase her empire, if the neighborhood kids needed a change of hairstyle, Serena would do their hair too and yes, we do have photos as proof as well. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and who you hang out with is who you become. You don’t get to choose your family but friends you have to choose carefully. If friends have baggage, then soon, you will be carrying their baggage for them. If your friend is successful, then you will most likely become successful. When Serena was 13, she was introduced to a new friend “Seizure.” Her friend Seizure had some baggage that he carried wherever he went. Seizure always seemed to have an answer for everything. He was witty and fast on his feet. The life of every party and Seizure was a smooth operator as “Sade” would sing in her hit song. Sometimes Seizure would want to dance with Serena doing the floppy fish. He would always pop up and want to go for a spin. The first ride that Serena took with her friend was short and sweet, but it was vicious, and the ride was only three seconds long. Serena’s reaction was temporary blindness and screaming. Seizure never treated Serena with tender love and care because he became more abusive with her. Behind his back, she could show you the bruises, busted lips, bitten tongue, stitches, and even concussions. Seizure stalked her and never left her alone. He was as always hanging around even up to her last breath. Serena wanted to be a comedian, so she had some jokes. She said people didn’t know how to handle her seizures and how to talk about them. So, she made fun of herself and laugh about it. Her smile lit up the room. Her laughter was infectious, even to the point of hearing her snort, which made the moment even funnier. Serena graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 2022. She attended North Glencoe Baptist Church. Serena's dream job was to be a makeup artist. Her favorite colors were blue and green. She also loved cookie dough ice cream and lemon pepper wings. In Serena's spare time she enjoyed social media apps, painting, drawing, sleeping, baking cookies, watching TV, going on vacations, selfies, math, coloring her hair, and last, but not least spending the night parties with Kira and Raena. Serena loved being, doing and going with her family. She loved her family with her whole heart, and she held a special place in her heart for her two younger sisters. She was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece, aunt and friend, she will be greatly missed. On the morning of Thursday, December 21, 2023, somewhere between 8 AM and noon time. GOD called for Serena to surrender her J-Train ticket and board the J-Train to Glory. Upon boarding the J-Train Serena was welcomed by a very close family friend that never made it out of the womb and was 15 weeks old. Tucker will hold Serena’s finger and walk her down the isle of the J-Train to meet her family that waits on her to ride to the other side. Grandparents, Shelby Miller, Ray and Betty Swindall; Uncle and Aunts, Dianna Swindall, Steve and Brenda Swindall. She leaves to cherish her loving memories Parents, Kenny and Deborah Miller; Sisters, Kira and Raena Miller, Acie Stargel, Brandy Homesley; Brothers, Derrick McCormick, Daniel, Deke, Giovanni and Matisse Miller; Uncles and Aunts, Benjie and Robin Miller, Joel and Brenda Miller, Bill and Rebecca Swindall, and Ricky Swindall, Angelia Swindall; Grandmother, Betty Miller; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The memorial service will be held at North Glencoe Baptist Church on January 21, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Tributes

Serena Miller

June 15, 2003 - December 21, 2023