Lowell Anthony Miller Obituary (1917 - 2018)

Lowell Anthony Miller, born July 28, 1917, to David Racy and Sarah Frances Wampler Miller, died September 9, 2018, at his home in the Bridgewater Retirement Community. Lowell, the youngest of eight children, was born and raised on the Miller farm in the Greenmount area, and spent most of his life in Rockingham County. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by seven older siblings: Robert H. Miller (Ora), Virginia Armentrout (Lyle), Miriam Hoover (Maynard), Dorothy Myers (Mark), Margaret Davis (Ike), Ralph Miller (Bonnie), twin baby brother, Lawrence, and a granddaughter, Stephanie Grace Miller. He is survived by his wife of seventy one years, Peggy Wright Miller, and five children: Michael A. Miller (Karen Stoneburner), Harrisonburg; Marilyn Miller Knopp (David), Staunton; Lawrence W. Miller (Ellen Burkholder) Bridgewater; E. Dustyn Miller (Sherry Stitt) Weyers Cave; and Robert R. Miller (Terri Gladwell), Bridgewater. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Ashley Miller Bucher (Jonathan), Molly Miller Billhimer (Wayne); Joy Anna Knopp Greer (Steve), Joel Knopp (Patricia), Samuel Knopp (Brandy), Nathanel Knopp (Jackie); Kelly Marie Miller; Matthew Miller (Kariann); Rebekah Miller Stovall (Bill), Stephen Miller; and twenty great grandchildren. Lowell graduated from Linville Edom High School and Bridgewater College. His wife and five children are also BC graduates. While at Bridgewater, he served as co-captain of the basketball team. After college, he spent a year in graduate school at Virginia Tech, and a another year as a Southern States store manager, before joining the Army in 1942. Having been raised in the Church of the Brethren, Lowell initially registered as a conscientious objector, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he gave up that status. Soon afterward, he found himself on a troop ship headed to North Africa, and while serving in Italy, Captain Miller was awarded a Bronze Star and the Silver Star for "Gallantry in Action." On June 8, 1947, Lowell married Peggy Wright of Roanoke, who survives. Lowell taught Vocational Agriculture and coached at Linville Edom High School for several years before being elected to the first of two terms as Commissioner of Revenue for Rockingham County. In 1958, he accepted the position of Business Manager & Treasurer at Bridgewater College, a job which he held for 25 years. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal. In May of 2017, Lowell was again recognized by the college with the Phillip C. Stone Award for Exemplary Service to the College. Lowell was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren, first at Greenmount and later at Bridgewater, serving as a deacon for 40 years. He served on the board of directors of the First National Bank for 30 years, was a long time Ruritan, served on the Rockingham County Equalization Board for many years, and was chairman of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the town of Bridgewater. Lowell was a farmer at heart. Whether planting and harvesting his vegetable garden, fruit trees or roses, some of his happiest times were when his hands were covered with dirt. He seemed to almost feel an obligation to can and freeze enough produce every summer so that Peggy would rarely have to visit the grocery store. His family can remember many spring and summer nights when Lowell would shine the car lights on the garden in order to keep working. He and Peggy enjoyed traveling in their retirement, visiting all 50 states and 40 countries on 6 continents. He also enjoyed golf in his retirement, managing to score two holes-in-one. He cherished most, however, the friendships with his golfing buddies. Lowell's children are grateful to God for their father's long and productive life, and the rich Christian heritage that they inherited. The family thanks the staff of the Bridgewater Home for their compassionate care of both parents. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 6 at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, at 11 A.M. A reception will follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to: The Lowell A. & Peggy W. Miller Scholarship Fund c/o Bridgewater College, 402 East College St., Bridgewater, VA 22812 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.McMullenfh.com.