Theda D. Miracle

Theda Eunice Dunavent Miracle

Theda Eunice Dunavent Miracle passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at the age of 93. Theda was born October 31, 1922, in Ages, Kentucky, the only child of Earl Bastin Dunavent and Lavina “Dolly” Ball. After graduating from Loyall High School at the tender age of 15, Theda enrolled in and graduated from Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1942 at age 19, with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Shortly after graduation, while conducting a raffle to support the war effort, Theda struck up conversation with one Andrew Wilbur Miracle. Although she had known of him while in high school, it was at this meeting and a dance later that week, that Theda knew Andy was the one. The dashing young Army Air Force bomber pilot knew as well, but was off to war in Europe.

After flying 25 combat missions, Andy returned home to his Theda and proposed, with the two marrying on March 12, 1944 in Loyall, Kentucky. Over the next eleven years, during which their two sons Andy Jr. and Bill were born, the young family moved between Kentucky, Avon Park and Michigan, finally settling in Avon Park in 1955. It was in Avon Park that their third child, Margaret Lynn, was born.

Theda’s time in Avon Park saw a continuation of her life of selfless service to Church and Community. While Theda had taught school for two years prior to 1955, it was in Avon Park that she began in earnest her education career, teaching at Avon Park Elementary and Middle Schools from 1966 to 1974 and then at Avon Park High School from 1974 to 1988.

In 1988, after serving as an FHA Advisor for 14 years, the state organization honored Theda as that year’s recipient of the Florida Advisors Award. Theda later served as president of the Retired Educators of Highlands County for 20 years and as a member and past president of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority. She also served as a Board member for the Avon Park Community Child Development Center, the local Civil Service Board, Historical Society of Avon Park and the Bougainvillea Cemetery, and generously volunteered her time as a member of Friends of the Avon Park Library.

Theda was a member of Union Congregational Church since 1955. She was a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, a founding member of the Church Bell Choir, past president of the Women’s Fellowship, a Church Board member, and Moderator for ten years.

Theda was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Sr. on March 3, 1974 and her eldest son, Andy Jr. on September 25, 2007. She is survived by her son Bill Miracle (Andrea) of Bridgewater, Virginia, her daughter Margaret Miracle Oliver (Charles) of Towaco, New Jersey and her sister-in-law, Mabel Smith of Hesperia, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren Rebekah (David), Jed (Virginia), Molly (Ryan), Andy (Emila), Ashley (Jeff) and Brooke (Brian); and eight great-grandchildren (Harrison, Audrey, Fletcher, Kit, Dean, Charlotte, Luke and Kylie).

Theda’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service at the Historic Union Congregational Church in Avon Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 6th, with Charles Oliver, Jr. officiating. Visitation will follow on the church lawn (weather permitting), followed by a private family graveside service at Bougainvillea Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Friends of the Avon Park Library (100 N Museum Ave, Avon Park FL 33825) or Scholarship Recognition, Inc. (426 School St, Sebring FL 33870) to support the Andrew Miracle Achievement Award, ensuring a continued legacy of Theda’s selfless service throughout her cherished life.