Mary Miller

Mary A. Miller, 85, of 150 Clarendon Rd., Asheville, died Monday, April 23, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Campus, Mission Hospitals. A Yancey Co. native, she was a daughter of the late Sadie Lockey Anderson. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray Ervin Miller, who died in 1995. Mrs. Miller graduated from Montreat College and then in 1963, joined the staff of Asheville-Biltmore College (now UNCA) as secretary to the Dean of the Faculty. Later, she was promoted to Director of Personnel and remained in that position until her retirement in 1986. She was also very active in the GFWC-NC serving as the President of her local club, the Rhododendron Woman’s Club, and as the Secretary-Treasurer of the district from 1970 to 1972. Mrs. Miller was also a member of one of the first Southern Appalachian square dance groups. She was a member of both West Asheville Presbyterian Church and Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Miller is survived by her daughter, Paula Franklin and husband Roger L., of Candler; son, Chris Miller and wife Gloria, of Asheville; four grandchildren, Dale Allen, Dana Allen, Stacy Rice, and Casey Miller; and two great-grandchildren, Brennan Allen and Christian Allen. A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Will Gaines officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, or to Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, 2 Bear Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28806.