Some terms, like fashions, go out of style. One of those terms is “public servant.” Once upon a time, an individual who worked for the government would generally have to make significant sacrifices. But over the past decades with the emergence of unionization and increased benefits, the term that is more often used today is “public employee.”

In one sense this is a good thing, because now the term can be reserved for those who truly deserve it. And if any person ever deserved the title of “servant,” it was Annabel R. Miller. With her sad departure from this world on February 17th, it is worth giving well deserved recognition for the commitment and service of this astounding woman.

Annabel Miller graduated from Montoursville High School in 1942 and attended Goodwin’s School of Business in 1943. On May 20, 1943, she started as a typist in the Register and Recorder’s Office in Lycoming County. She worked there for four years until she married and started a family, and then returned in 1956 as a clerk in the Register and Recorder’s Office. She was promoted to deputy register and recorder in 1960 and chief deputy in 1979. In 1992, Annabel commenced her first term as the elected register and recorder. She continued to be elected and hold that office until Dec. 31, 2015, when she retired after 64 years of service to Lycoming County.

Six and a half decades working for Lycoming County alone deserves high superlatives, but it is the way that Annabel Miller worked that made her so very special. Roxanne Grieco, a colleague who succeeded her as elected register and recorder, spoke of her in terms that one rarely hears of a boss. Roxanne admired her to the degree that she called her the Ultimate Public Servant. She noted that Annabel had the dignity of Queen Elizabeth, and was always impeccably dressed. Yet her office was her home, and she did her very best every single day.

In an office that has “records” in the title must obviously pay attention to detail, and Annabel Miller embodied that truth. She was always pleasant and polite, but she was also a true professional. Those who worked closely with her knew she was a force to be reckoned with, but it was a drive to do things right. Commissioner Tony Mussare noted that this standard of excellence was what everyone grew to expect when dealing with Annabel.

He was not alone. Her colleagues noted that she was always in good spirits, always willing to help others in the Register and Recorder’s Office, and greeted all those who came the office as equals. Sheriff Mark Lusk told a story of a run-in with Annabel shortly after he had become sheriff. He handed her a document and she handed it right back —- it was not done right. She valued the little things, even penmanship. Annabel’s handwriting was impeccable, and those that were sloppy did not meet her standards.

Many people slow down as the years pile up, but that was not true of Annabel Miller. She was a professional to the day she retired on Dec. 31, 2015. She was a woman with a high school education and a year of business school that committed herself to one focus for 64 years – to treat each person with respect and do the job that the county expected her to do.

And I am one of those who owe her thanks. In August of 1974, I wanted to get married to my high school sweetheart, Debbie Steward. I was told I had to go to the county courthouse and get a marriage license, and I was scared to death. (Not of getting married but going to the courthouse). I was directed to an office where I was greeted by a toothy woman with a wonderful smile who calmed me down with her sweet demeanor and gave me my necessary paperwork. Twenty-five years later I needed a certified copy of that marriage license for an adoption we were processing, and I was surprised that the one who provided it was that same lady. She signed our marriage license, in perfect penmanship, Annabel Miller.

Larry Stout welcomes your comments or input. He can be reached by email: lionwebbweekly@gmail.com.