Marla Zelene Harman, 68, departed this life on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, May 25, 2025, from her beloved Sugarbottom residence in Upper Tract.
She was born on Jan. 9, 1957, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the daughter of the late John and Mary Pauline (Ruddle) Harman.
Ms. Harman’s childhood was filled with love and the strongest of bonds with her older siblings, John R. (Johnny) Harman and the late Paula Harman Raynar. Her days at the Harman farm were filled with joy — especially time spent with her pony and swimming in any puddle big enough to hold water. She was a proud 4-H’er and greatly enjoyed it throughout her youth.
A Franklin High School Panther through and through, she loved her alma mater and graduated with the class of 1975. Her next step was Bridgewater College where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in both history and political science in 1979. Law school at West Virginia University followed where in 1982 she earned her doctor of jurisprudence degree and was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar.
Her legal career spanned 43 years during which time she served as a Guardian ad Litem tasked with protecting the interest of children involved in the legal system. She advocated fiercely for thousands of abused and neglected children during her career and was the bright light during their darkest moments. She always enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing “her kids” happy and watching them grow into successful adults. She also took great joy in her many friendships in the legal community. She was the current president of the South Branch Valley Bar Association and loved the comradery of the local bar.
A history buff, she had also served in numerous roles in the Pendleton County Historical Society. Additionally, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and member and past president of the Daughters of the Confederacy chapter in Highland County, Virginia.
She also enjoyed many interests. She was an avid Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast and spent many happy days on horseback. Her beloved horses — Jack, Stretch, Benny, and Thunder, no doubt greeted her upon her return home. She was an excellent hostess and so enjoyed getting people together at her Sugarbottom home in Upper Tract to celebrate important life events of her family and friends. Her Halloween parties were always a hit, and she so loved to host the children of the community for trick or treat fun. She was a fan of astronomy, swimming holes, drive-ins, gardening, antique stores, and road trips to her favorite Florida hot springs.
Her greatest love by far was her husband, Max Baer Miller, Jr., her college sweetheart and life-long love. Reunited later in life and never ones to let an opportunity for a good story pass them by, they were married Dec. 28, 2015, at the Buncombe County Detention Center in Asheville, North Carolina. They spent many happy times together and enjoyed being at home with their pets, Jorge, Leonie, and Thumper.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, Max, are brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Honey Harman; brother-in-law, Karl Raynar; stepdaughter, Courtney Branch-Clark (Vincent); father and mother-in-law, Max and Goldie Miller; nieces and nephews, Sarah Crider (Tony), Betsy Dean, Jonathan Harman, John Preston Harman (Gayle), John Karl Raynar (Alice) and Laurel Raynar; numerous great-nieces and -nephews; and cherished friends and extended family whom she loved dearly.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Paula Raynar; a nephew, Tony Dean; and a stepson, Max Baer Miller, III.
The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Franklin Presbyterian Church in Franklin. Funeral services will follow with the Rev. Deborah Beam officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Pendleton County 4-H Fund, PO Box 96, Franklin, West Virginia 26807, or to the Corey Simmons Memorial Scholarship Fund, 162 Gold Nugget Drive, Franklin, West Virginia 26807.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.
