Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Remembering Uncle George

I know several people who regularly read my blogs and articles. Sometimes they deal with topics that make people feel uncomfortable. I know that I have probably angered people with my commentaries on various subject, particularly directed at apostate Christians.

I have the wonderful blessing of having been blessed with a great family. I don't remember a time when there was sadness or crying. My family (and it is huge) loves to tell stories about times gone-by and it seems we all talk at the same time, about different things, to different people who are present. It is a madhouse and I love it.

We will all be gathering tomorrow, February 16 for my wonderful Uncle George's funeral service. He was my grandmother's little brother. I grew up hearing stories about the Great Depression, the War (and all my uncles and grandfathers served). It was a trying time for our nation. I recall that my grandmother had three small children and left her little town to go to San Francisco to share an apartment with a women she had never met, whose husband also was gone. They took turns watching one another' children while the other one worked. One worked day shift, the other worked night shift. Back in those days, there were no disposable diapers, bottles, or any of the things we think we can't live without.

People like my grandfather and my Uncle George served their country proudly and came home and served their communities in many ways. They are the "Greatest Generation."  They honored God and family as well as their country.  They helped build their neighborhoods and communities. What a blessing to have a family like that.

My Uncle George was a wonderful man in many ways. He spent his life serving others. He had a wonderful sense of humor and this world is less because he has gone. But, there is no sadness for his passing.  We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that his soul is with our Lord.  There will soon come a day when we will all join together again and what a wonderful time we will have!  We will celebrate his life tomorrow.

I am posting his obituary here. I want people to pay particular attention to it. Note that there is not a selfish mention of anything in it. We are to serve and so many fail to do so these days.

God rest your soul, Uncle George. We will see you soon.

GEORGE WILLIAM MILLER


MILLER, GEORGE WILLIAM Age 84, passed away on February 12, 2011. Survived by his beloved wife of over 61 years, Sarah Frederick Miller, and devoted family: daughter, Jamie Miller Etheridge (Dr. Wayne Etheridge), and son, Stephen William Miller (Johanna Taft Miller), four grandchildren, Stephanie Etheridge, Carol Etheridge Cooper (David Cooper), Bradley Miller, and Wesley Miller (Jessica Carpenter, fiance). Visitation will be at Eastside Baptist Church, 558 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham from 10am-12pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. The service will follow immediately with Reverend Mark Smith officiating. Bradley Miller, Wesley Miller, David Cooper, John Mitchell, Doug Goodwin, Gary Hyche, Don Larson, and John Maddox will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Golfers of Grayson Valley Country Club. Born in Birmingham, he was baptized in 1938, licensed to preach in 1948, and ordained to the gospel ministry in 1949. He graduated from Howard College (Samford University) with a BA in Religion and English. He received both a Bachelor of Divinity and a Master of Theology Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Theology Degree from Luther Rice Theological Seminary. Dr. Miller pastored various churches in Kentucky, Florida, and Alabama through a ministry that spans 62 years. He instituted chaplaincy programs and served as Director of Pastoral Care at both Western Baptist Hospital, Paducah, Kentucky and Baptist Hospital, Miami, Florida. A member of The College of Chaplains, he was awarded the highest honor of diplomate in 1977. Dr. Miller was recognized for his creative ideas concerning the hospital chaplain's moral and ethical responsibilities in the area of death and dying. This honor was based on his book, The Moral and Ethical Implications of Human Organ Transplants, published in 1971. Dr. Miller had a number of leadership roles, including Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Care at Luther Rice Theological Seminary, Founding Member of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Care, President of Southern Baptist Association of Hospital Chaplains, President of the Baptist Association of South Florida Chaplains, Conference Leader on Marriage and the Family and Youth Groups on Dating Seminars, and Guest Lecturer at the University of Miami Nursing School. An accomplished author, Dr. Miller wrote numerous articles and essays on Medical Ethics, Marriage and Family, The Pastor's Hospital Ministry, and Ministering to the Terminally Ill. A World War II Veteran, Dr. Miller served with distinction in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater. He was a Petty Officer Third Class aboard the USS Kinzer, APD. 91 Attack Destroyer. His medals include the Bronze Battle Star, Victory Medal WWII, China Service Medal and Ribbon, and WWII Combat Action Ribbon. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

No comments: