Kenneth Miller

Kenneth McGlaughon Miller of Danville, Virginia, died at Sovah Health-Danville Hospital on November 7, 2021, at the age of 87. The third son of Rev. James Herbert Miller and Elsie McGlaughon Miller, he was born in Whiteville, North Carolina, on October 19, 1934. He was a retired school system administrator, and a vital member of the Danville community for over 60 years. Ken Miller grew up in a series of Eastern North Carolina towns and graduated from Laurinburg High School in 1952. Like his father and two brothers before him, he attended Duke University, where he sang in the Men’s Glee Club and the Chapel Choir. He received his AB in English from Duke in 1956 and an MAT from Duke in 1958. After teaching for one year in Southern Pines, North Carolina, he settled in Danville and embarked on a long career in education. He began as an English instructor at George Washington High School, where he also served as advisor to the student literary magazine. Eventually he transitioned into administration, rising to become Director of Instruction, Assistant Superintendent, Interim Superintendent before his retirement in 1994. Shortly after arriving in Danville, he met Evelyn Ellison of Anderson County, South Carolina, and the couple married in 1960. Evelyn taught public schools and later at Averett College, now Averett University. She predeceased him in 2001. In 2005, Mr. Miller married Suzanne Jones of Danville, also an educator. This happy union brought into his life stepson Brian Jones (Trisha) of Clayton, North Carolina, and two beloved grandsons, Nolan and Cole, who called him “G-Dad” for Granddad. Mr. Miller was an avid reader who wore his erudition lightly. He enjoyed fiction, poetry, history, and biography. He was a faithful congregant at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, where his distinctive bass graced the choir for many years. He loved choral music and classical music, as well as Big Band music of the 1940s. He was a member of Kiwanis Club of Danville (President 1981-82, and later Citizen of the Year), the Duke Alumni Association, Iron Dukes, Blue Devil Club, and other organizations. He served as President of The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region. For most of his life he was a competitive tennis player and recreational walker. Few things, however, surpassed his enthusiasm for Duke Athletics: he attended football and basketball games with his brother Ed for nearly 70 years, and the two of them were a familiar sight among die-hard fans at Wallace Wade Stadium and Cameron Indoor Stadium. He and Suzanne liked to say that while they lost many a football game, they never lost a tailgate. Ken Miller was a kind and gentle soul, a progressive Southern gentleman, devout Christian who truly lived by his ethics. He was also a sharp wit and lively conversationalist who loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him. Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Suzanne Miller; his stepson, Brian Jones (Trisha); his grandsons, Nolan and Cole Jones; his brother, Rev. James Herbert Miller, Jr. of Kinston, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Dr. D. Edmond Miller of Durham, North Carolina. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 10, 11:00AM at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. Masks and social distancing are required. Interment will follow the service at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the local Kiwanis Foundation or to The Danville Community Foundation. The family is appreciative and grateful to the staff at SOVAH and to his daughter-in-law, Trisha, for the comfort and care given to Ken during his brief decline in health.