Samuel Miller

Samuel E. Miller ABINGDON, Va. Samuel E. Miller, M.D., 95, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010, at his home. He was born July 29, 1914, in Greeneville, Tenn., and was a son of the late Will and Sue Lemming Miller. He graduated Greene County High School and then Tusculum College in 1934. He joined the armed services and achieved the rank of Major in the horse cavalry and later assigned to investigate and test equipment for the motorized cavalry. He was discharged from the military with an injury and during his rehabilitation graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Masters in Chemistry. He then worked as a chemist with the Food and Drug Administration until 1941 when he wed Mary Agnes Ault, who also preceded him in death. He attended and taught at NYU and Columbia University, and also at VMI while completing his pre med courses at W&L University. He then went to UVA Medical School where he graduated in 1950. Dr. Miller returned to Abingdon and practiced medicine from 1952, until 1971, when he returned to UVA and was co-founder of the Medical Family Practice Unit. He was the only doctor there to have dual appointments in family practice and internal medicine. After teaching at the medical school he returned to Abingdon and began an intense study of writing in 1994, and later published a book of poetry titled Second Sight in 2004, which is in its third printing. He was also active with local writers and poets groups in Abingdon. Dr. Miller held honorary doctorates from Tusculum College, initiated the funding of Acts Arts Academia Program at Tusculum, taught and attended classes at the SWVA Higher Ed. Center for older adults, was an avid sports car fan and a successful racer, and President Emeritus of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). He was a patron of the Virginia Highlands Festival, Barter Theatre, William King Regional Arts Center and the Arts Depot. He was also a Trustee with the Library Foundation Board. Dr. Miller was a member of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Survivors are a son, Raymond Ault Miller and wife, Barbara of Somerset, Ky.; his nephew, of whom he had guardianship, Don Ault; five grandchildren; numerous great and great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to faithful caregivers, Stella Montgomery of 15 years, Diane Wise, Mary McKenzie and granddaughter, Debora Holley Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon with Rev. Beth Yarborough officiating. The family will be receiving friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. A committal will be held later that same day at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SWVA Higher Education Center's Samuel E. Miller Memorial Fund, Hospice of Southwest Virginia or Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St. Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700 is serving the family of Dr. Miller.