Obituary of Herbert Miller

Herbert Alexander Miller of Blacksburg, VA, ended his earthly journey on March 28, 2011, peacefully at home. He was born March 3, 1927, in Chattanooga, TN, to Lottie Hunziker and John Lucas Miller. He graduated from Atlanta Boys' High in 1945; from Davidson College, (Phi Beta Kappa cum laude) in 1948; and from Union Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in Virginia (M. Div.) in 1952 and later earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree. He was awarded a Graduate Fellowship from Union and spent two years studying in Scotland at St. Andrews and at New College, University of Edinburgh. He served pastorates in Houston, Texas; St. Louis, MO; Pensacola, Florida; Jacksonville, FL; Neenah, WI and Peoria, IL, before becoming an interim ministry specialist, serving churches in Montana, New Jersey, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Nassau, the Bahamas. Herb was moderator of the Synod of Florida. In Pensacola, he advocated for Civil Rights, especially for rational compliance with the court-ordered desegregation of schools. Herb had a distinguished career as a preacher, administrator and pastor. From 2000-2004 he spent regular periods of research in Atlanta, working on the history of Boys' High, published as Boys' High Forever. Herb was a lover of learning and books, acquiring a sizeable theological, literary and historical library and enjoyed a lifelong love of classical music, lectures and plays. He kept up with a multitude of friends; participated in Rotary, particularly the international exchanges; tried sculpting and painting; collected seascapes and relished trips to Perdido Key on the Gulf Coast, return trips to Scotland and time on the Oregon coast. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Lucas Miller, and a sister, Faith Dudley Ward. He is survived by Elva Marie Wallace Miller, his wife of 58 years; daughters Susan Catherine Churchill Miller, Blacksburg; Deborah Lynn Elsworth Miller (Mark Wilmot Prosser), Radford, VA; and Dr. Andrea Elizabeth Rutledge Miller-Bruce (Dr. Robert Wallace Bruce, Jr.), Atlanta, GA; brother Dr. Edward Thomas Miller (Yvonne Raftelis Miller), Mooresville, NC; sister Martha Elizabeth Thompson, Dallas, GA; and grandchildren Robert Wallace Bruce III and Ashley Marie Bruce, Atlanta, and Haydn Claire Cui Prosser, Radford; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to the Capital Funds Campaign, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 144, Blacksburg, VA 24063-0144 or to Sojourn Center "future home for hospice care, NRV", P.O. Box 295, Blacksburg, VA 24063. Graveside service Saturday, April 2, 2011, 11:00am CST, Hunziker family plot, St. Andrew's Cemetery, 290 Quintard Rd., Sewanee, TN. Dr. E. Thomas Miller will officiate. Arrangements are by Cumberland Funeral Home, 207 Mabee Ave., Monteagle, TN (931-924-2381).