George Miller

George William Miller, 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, fianceI�), sisters Louise Miller McKee, and Margaret Ann Miller Catalano, numerous nieces and nephews. 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. In lieu of flowers make donations to Eastside Baptist Church. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.