Judith Louise (Bryan) Miller

Judi Miller passed peacefully on May 15, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She is survived by her three daughters (the Miller girls!): Nicole Miller (Lakeland, FL); Danelle Cauley (Lakeland, FL) and husband Dale Hastings; and Jaimie “her favorite” Caltabellatta (Midland Park, NJ) and husband Jimmy Caltabellatta. Judi was predeceased by her husband, Jim Miller, her parents, Rudolph and Louise Bryan, and her sister, Melanie Bryan.

Grandma Judi loved her grandchildren and great grandson and enjoyed her digital picture frame rotating reminders of their shenanigans: Zachary Miller, Matthew Miller, Jacob Smith, Emily Miller, Jimmy “Jammers” Caltabellatta, Nicolas Miller, and Torey Smith.

While Judi served in many occupations during her working years, (from silk screen artist to police officer to postal worker), she enjoyed especially spending time in retirement with family and friends celebrating life. One of her favorite things was hosting dinner parties and gatherings to bring people together with food and fun! Judi brought the energy and mischief everywhere she went! People remember the difference she made in their lives by being fully present, listening, and offering guidance, not to mention adding elements of sparkling fun to every encounter.

A few of her favorite things included sewing, cooking, traveling (with Jaimie!), and creating chaotic fun wherever she went. In addition to beautiful quilts, she made clothing and costumes that showed off her artistic talents and allowed people to shine on and off the stage. She was a finalist in The Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest and harassed the entire family to enter this contest for years. While some did their best to just get an entry submitted, Jaimie, eventually qualified, too!

If you ask the grandchildren for some of their favorite memories about Grandma Judi, they might have to pause to make sure the story they want to share won’t get them in trouble! She was the BEST kind of grandma! Names are withheld to protect the grandchildren! Grandma Judi took a new driver for a lesson and let them go right on to the highway. Her philosophy was, “You have to learn, right?” They laughed the whole time and ate seafood after that outing. On another road trip (Grandma Judi driving!) a stop was made to buy huge Amish cookies on the way to Bessemer, and no one will admit how many cookies were consumed! Treasure hunts with rhyming clues and trinkets that only true believers can recognize as treasure are another favorite memory! One grandchild still has the “treasure chest” from such an adventure and cherishes it. When Grandma Judi had an extended stay in NJ, the best part was simply hanging out together everyday. From shopping trips for amazing shoes to baking contest taste tests to Christmas sparkles and magic—her passion for life and fun was infectious. The best thing about Grandma Judi might be that she was a great listener and wouldn’t judge anyone or push parent-type advice on anyone. She simply listened.

Judi did not want a funeral nor a memorial service. She asks that her family and friends find ways to celebrate life wherever they are. Go out to your favorite restaurant (bonus points if seafood or steak is involved!), order up something delicious, and raise a glass while sharing your favorite stories about this gem of a woman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude (www.stjude.org) or Shriners Children’s (www.shrinerschildrens.org).