Flags will be flown at half-staff in Sedgwick County on Saturday. Here’s why
Flags will be flown at half-staff Saturday for former Sedgwick County commissioner, Kansas state lawmaker, school board member and life-long Wichitan Melody McCray-Miller.
McCray-Miller, 69, died last month after a prolonged illness. She was the first Black woman elected to the Sedgwick County commission and later represented Wichita’s 89th District in the Kansas House.
In addition to her 30-plus years in public service and community leadership, McCray-Miller and her late husband, Larry Miller, were co-owners of Miller’s Bar-B-Que. Their signature recipes for baked beans are sold through grocery stores under the brand name Millers Bar-B-Que Famous Baked Beans.
McCray-Miller also spent several years in education, first as a secondary education teacher for Wichita Public Schools and later as an adjunct lecturer in political science at Wichita State University. In 2023, McCray-Miller was elected to the Wichita school board as an at-large member. She stepped away toward the end of 2024 because of health issues.
“She had a way of connecting with students where it was very clear that the student knew that Melody felt very strongly for them and really believed in helping them reach their potential,” board president Stan Reeser said after she died. “She will be remembered as a true giant in the public service field.
“Melody McCray-Miller was revered by the Wichita community and dedicated her life to uplifting others as a teacher, professor, state representative, and county commissioner,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a press release published by her office.
From sunup to sundown on March 21, the governor’s announcement said, flags throughout Sedgwick County will be flown at half-staff in McCray-Millers’ honor.
