On January 4, 1933 in Talladega County, Alabama, Dorthulla McElderry was born to the parentage of Selonia McElderry Groce and Gus McElderry.

Dorthulla was educated in the Talladega County School System and graduated from Ophelia S. Hill High School. She was a hard working woman and retired from Anniston Sportswear.

Dorthulla met and married Robert "Rusty" Miller, Jr. on October 10, 1953 and to this union five children were born. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age and was Baptized at the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. After her marriage, she joined the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully until her health declined.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, she transitioned to her "new life" with her Heavenly Father. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Robert; three children, Robert Earl, Kenneth and Tonya; her parents; and three siblings, Otis Tarrant, Willie McElderry and Edna Jones. She leaves to rejoice her memory: her daughter, Sharon (Reginald) Archie; her son, Michael (Robin) Miller; two sisters, Lucille Colley and Earnestine Cooley; six sisters-in-law, Corean Tarrant, Georgia (James) Brown, Alva Chatman, Betty Miller, Susie (Robert) Bush and Johnnie Miler; one brother-in-law,Willie (Mary) Miller; six grandchildren, Nicholas Miller, Nigel Miller, Kelvin Foster, Lludalmi Miller, Ameehna Miller and Samara Miller; her lifelong friends, Alberta Wynn and Virginia Holiday; her mentee, Willie Pearl Clark; and a host of other relatives and friends.