Elizabeth Miley Latella

Elizabeth Miley Latella, 77, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away, surrounded by love, while visiting family in Connecticut on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She dedicated her life to her family, helping others, and her passions, gardening, teaching, and philanthropy. She was born in Bridgeport, CT, on January 20, 1949, to Patrick Dubbs Miley and Frances Patrick. She spent her childhood in Brighton Township and Beaver, PA, and every summer at her grandparents' home in Oxford, GA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Emory University and received a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Georgia. She taught Special Education in Georgia and Tennessee.

Elizabeth was very involved in her community throughout her life, always with joy and guided by her faith in God. She was an active member of Highland Presbyterian Church, the Women's Circle, the Bible Study Fellowship, the Fayetteville Garden Club, the Fayetteville Symphony, and other organizations. She served as a docent at the North Carolina Governor's Mansion and volunteered as a cuddler for premature babies in the NICU at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. She loved playing mahjong with her friends. She particularly loved holidays, entertaining, and getting the family together at the beach.

She served in many leadership capacities during her husband Donald's career in the United States Army. As a commander's wife, she was at the forefront of family life, coordinating all officers' wives' activities, communications during deployments, and supporting the health and welfare of all soldier families, even conducting bread-making classes.

She is preceded by death by her parents and many more loving aunts and uncles and relatives.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, of Fayetteville, NC, married for almost 56 years; daughter Liza; son-in-law Marshall; grandchildren Marshall and Baker of Darien, CT; daughter Leah Latella; son-in-law Alex Scott of Iowa City, IA; brother Eugene Miley of Beaver, PA; and loving nephews, nieces, and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The CARE Clinic in Fayetteville, NC. For more information, visit: www.thecareclinic.org Elizabeth will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, her bright presence, energy, and devotion to family and friends.

Elizabeth was special and will be deeply missed. A celebration of life will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Highland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, NC, with a reception following in the fellowship hall. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. at a later date.