Our Family History: Leda Jean Miller

Leda Jean Miller alias Whitney Peri Worth, daughter of Ervin Nathaniel and Martha Annette “Nettie” (Couk) Miller, was born 17 October 1925 in Fredonia, Wilson, Kansas.[1] She died 7 May 2009 in Clearfield, Davis, Utah and buried 12 May 2009 in Kaysville, Davis, Utah.[2] Married first, 21 October 1946 in Independence, Montgomery, Kansas, Lawrence Joseph Reynolds;[3] second, 2 August 1985 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, Floyd Luke.[4]

Leda’s family was a little better off financially compared to many of the people in the area. Her father ran a successful painting business and was able to provide nice things. They had the first indoor toilet in the area.

Ervin’s income also helped with Leda’s education. She attended nicer schools; and after high school, Leda attended a women’s secretarial school in Wichita, Kansas. She was able to use this to work as a secretary for an author and as a court stenographer.

While she was attending the secretarial school, she was walking with a group of friends when she heard someone “cat-calling” her. Lawrence had seen her and thought she was pretty, and Leda thought Lawrence was very handsome.

While serving in World War II, Lawrence picked up a silk pillowcase and saved it for a special girl when he returned home. He gave Leda this pillowcase, which said, “Sweetheart I want you to know that my heart goes where you go. Life is much sweeter by far with a sweetheart that you are.”

Married life was not easy for Leda but she made the best she could with the situation and tried to be a good mother. Often she would play Disney children’s records so her children would focus on that rather than the tension in the home. Leda slept with the children while Lawrence had a room, which he kept locked. At times, Leda and the children would move a dresser in front of the door to prevent Lawrence from coming in. On at least one occasion, he broke down the door. While living in Pocatello, Idaho, Lawrence would be paid every other week. When he was paid, he often would drink and become enraged with anger. Margaret, a friend of Leda’s, would hide Leda and the children until Lawrence was sober.

After Lawrence’s death, Leda legally changed her name to Whitney Peri Worth.[5] She wanted a fresh start on life and felt that changing her name would help. She worked for the Internal Revenue Service, enjoyed swimming, and traveling.

On her Utah Identification Card, she is listed as Whitney Perry Worth, 77 years old (issued on 8 April 2002), green eyes, brown hair (it was a reddish brown), 5 foot 2 inches tall, and weighed 195 pounds.

She died on 7 May 2009 in Clearfield, Utah. Her death certificate states the cause of death was Lewy Body Dementia which symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it is currently widely under-diagnosed.

Leda lived in Kansas, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Texas.

[1] Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Vital Records, Birth Certificate Wilson County, Kansas, No. 103 7103, Leda Jean Miller, 17 October 1925.

[2] Utah State Board of Health, Davis County, Utah, death certificate no. 2009018002 (2009), Whitney P Worth.

[3] Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Marriage Licence # 61475, Lawrence J Reynolds and Leda J Miller, 21 October 1946, Independence, Montgomery, Kansas.

[4] “Utah Select Marriage Index, 1887-1985,” database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : viewed 12 July 2016), entry for Leda Jean Miller and Floyd Luke, 1985.

[5] Social Security Cards, Leda Miller Reynolds and Whitney P Worth; privately held by Nicol Montero, [address for private use] Eagle Mountain, Utah

Leda Jean Miller

Leda Jean Miller-- picking raspberries in Alaska-1980

Lawrence Joseph Reynolds and Leda Jean Miller- 6 April 1947

Leda Jean Miller 26 January 1974 in Layton, Utah at Dale's wedding to Allysa.

Leda Jean Miller (center back). Far left is Elizabeth Etta Jones, Lawrence's mother. Far right is Themla Miller, Leda's sister. The girls are unknown.

Leda Jean Miller with her first child, Larry.

Leda Jean Miller hold her last child Linda in Idaho.

Leda Jean Miller and unknown boy.

Dale, Leda, and Gayle.

Leda in center.

Leda Jean Miller

Leda Jean Miller on right.

Leda Jean Miller front row, fourth from left.

Leda Jean Miller Birth Certificate

Leda Jean Miller to Lawrence Joseph Reynolds 21 October 1946 in Independence, Montgomery, Kansas.

Citation: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Marriage Licence # 61475, Lawrence J Reynolds and Leda J Miller, 21 October 1946, Independence, Montgomery, Kansas.