 – Once upon a time in the heart of Randolph County, there lived a remarkable woman named Cathy Stephen Miller. Known throughout her community for her radiant…){kind=link}
Cathy’s story began in the charming town of Delaware County, where she grew up and pursued her education at Muncie Central High School, later attending Ball State University. With a passion for teaching, she devoted herself to educating young minds, starting her career as a Spanish teacher at Union School Corporation. Over the years, she would grace nearly every school in Randolph County, except for one small district—Randolph Southern. As her career blossomed, Cathy transformed the lives of countless students, wearing many hats along the way: a Spanish teacher, social worker, counselor, elementary principal, Assistant Superintendent, and finally, Superintendent.
Beyond her formal titles, Cathy became a beloved cheer coach and a mentor, always ready to lend an ear or an encouraging word to students. Even after her retirement from Randolph Eastern School Corporation in 2010, she refused to step back from her calling, instead diving headfirst into community service.
Cathy’s heart remained closely tied to Randolph County, where she took on the role of board member for the Community Foundation. There, she ignited a spark that would lead to the creation of the Randolph County Promise program. This initiative encouraged families to save for their children’s college education through Indiana 529 plans, paving the way for a brighter future for local youth. With recent changes, the program blossomed into an Early Award Scholarship, providing eighth graders with a scholarship based on their hard-earned savings—an award to be used after they graduated high school.
But Cathy didn’t stop there! Her dedication to education led her to establish the Stephen Family Fund for Community Scholarships, supporting students from all five high schools in Randolph County. She also joyfully participated in fundraising efforts for the Kellie Stephen and Dave Furby Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helped ensure that deserving seniors could achieve their dreams of higher education.
When disaster struck in March 2024, leaving many residents in need after a devastating tornado, Cathy sprang into action once more, joining the Randolph County Long Term Recovery committee to help her neighbors rebuild and recover.
Outside of her many endeavors, Cathy embraced her role as a loving grandmother, affectionately referred to as “Gack Gack” by her 16 grandchildren. Her family expanded when she married Tom Miller, who brought into their lives nine step-grandchildren and three stepchildren: Brandon, Courtney, and Whitney. Together, they filled Cathy’s life with joy, laughter, and constant activity—whether they were cheering on grandkids at sports events, babysitting, or enjoying family gatherings.
Despite her busy schedule, Cathy always made time for herself. She proudly spent her afternoons soaking up the sun on long walks, traveling to new places, and getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Cathy Stephen Miller’s story is one of compassion, commitment, and community. With a heart as vast as the horizon and a spirit that inspired all around her, she truly embodies the essence of a Randolph County Hero.
And so, in her honor and in recognition of her unwavering service, the community stands together, grateful for the legacy Cathy continues to build, encouraging others to step forward and give back.
If you’d like to learn more about the Randolph County Promise Early Award Scholarship program, venture over to www.randolphcountyfoundation.org/promise. There you will find a community eager to support and uplift the youth, just like Cathy has always done.
And they all lived happily ever after, under the watchful guidance of their own community hero, Cathy.
Community Profiles series by Ben Rayman