Sarah Atkinson Miller

Sarah A. Miller, age 93, passed from this life into glory on June 2, 2015. She was born January 6, 1922 in Auburn, AL to Professor Thomas Prater and Irene Carroll Atkinson. She graduated from highschool in Auburn, then attended Goucher College for women in Baltimore for 2 years, then returned to Auburn, where she graduated from Auburn University with a BS degree in sociology in 1943. She also spent most of her school-age summer months with her beloved brothers,aunts, uncles and cousins in Ozark, AL. At her father's urging, Sarah moved to Bradenton, FL in 1945 to help run his newly purchased Bonny Oaks Travel Home. She soon realized it was a fortunate move for her to make when she met the love of her life through an introduction by her new neighbor. She was introduced to Jack Miller (John M.), who, along with his older brother, Bob, was brought home from the South Pacific immediately at the end of WW2, to take over the operations of Miller Trailers, Inc., after the early death of their father. Sarah and Jack were married at First Methodist Church, Bradenton, on June 7, 1947. It has been the most wonderful and exemplary 68 years of marriage! She was a most loving and kind wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, and she will be sorely missed by many. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Thomas and John Earl Atkinson, son Timothy Thomas Miller, and grandson, Blake Fenton Miller. Her family smiles this week to think of Timmy and Blake being among the first to greet her with loving arms into heaven. She is survived by a large and loving family: husband of 68 years, Jack Miller; son Mike (Ruth) Miller, of Carrollton, GA, daughter Susan Miller Raetz (husband, Paul, recently deceased) of Bradenton, daughter Melanie Miller (Dick) Knowles of Bradenton, daughter-in-law Carol Miller (Don) Lewis of Bradenton. Also, 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grands (plus 2 on the way!): Lisa Miller (Matt) Tolbert and children, Tiffany and Tinsley of Carrollton, GA; John Michael (Janelle) Miller III, and son, Tanner of Bradenton; Stephen (Elizabeth) Miller and children Riley, Kennedy, and Finley of Cape Coral, FL. Tommy (Jordan) Miller and their daughter, Ellie, currently serving in the U.S.Air Force in Colorado Springs, CO; Meghan Miller (Jared) High and children Natalie, Sawyer, and Blakely of Ocala, FL; Leslie Lewis of Bradenton. Becky Fleming (Rich) Gatanis of Bradenton, and their children Rachel, Nathan , Hannah, Andrew, Abbey, and Nicholas; David (Nellie) Fleming of Chicago; Libby Fleming (Steve) Jaquith of Bradenton, and children Gabriel and Emma. Rich, Philip and Jack Knowles of Bradenton, Sarah and Katie Knowles of Black Mountain, NC, and Caroline Knowles of Raymond, MS. Sarah loved the Lord Jesus Christ, enjoyed a lifetime of reading and studying her Bible, serving over 25 years in the young children's ministry in Bradenton, and also regularly participating at the Highlands (NC) Methodist Church and her group Bible Studies in the summers there. Secondly, she deeply loved her husband and family, and truly and generously invested herself in all of them, with her time and prayers. Finally, she enjoyed serving her community through Entre Nous Service Club (past president) and The Service Club, as well as coming alongside her husband in his many business and community ventures and opportunities. Her hobbies included music (piano), reading, golf and bridge at the Bradenton Country Club and Highlands CC, and watching FL Gator or Auburn football, and Braves and Rays baseball! Visitation will be Fri, June 5, 5:00-7:00 at Griffith-Cline funeral Home in Bradenton. Funeral service will be Sat., June 6 at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children's or Missions' ministries of First United Methodist Church, 603 11th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 or to Highlands United Methodist Church, 315 Main St., Highlands, NC 28741.