Rev. James Randall Miller

Reverend James Randall Miller, 89, achieved the reward of his life on earth when he entered the presence of the Lord and His gift of eternal rest when he peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, surrounded by his adoring family and just a few weeks short of his 90th birthday.

In 2011, Bishop Miller and his wife of 66 years, Sandra, retired from their pastorate in Hickory, North Carolina, culminating 52 years of active, full-time ministry and marking their first season of retirement in their hometown of Phenix City, Alabama. At the age of 82, the Millers embarked on their second era of retirement when they became residents of Plant City, Florida, where they have resided in the Walden Lake community since 2018.

Reverend Miller was born on December 16, 1935, the sixth child to the late James Hubert and Rossi Gladys Renfroe Miller, sharecroppers from Coffee County, Alabama. Through the years, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Lily Miller, Lillian Miller, Myrtle Matthews, Leroy Miller, Pauline Butts, and Hazel Harnett.

Having worked from the cotton fields to the textile mills of Alabama, to sailing the Great Lakes as a Merchant Marine, James Randall Miller acknowledged a divine ministerial calling at the age of 22 and was credentialed with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). A year later, he and his young bride, Sandra Faye King of Cottonton, Alabama, set out on a life of evangelistic, pastoral and administrative ministry that took them from Dixie’s country roads to many of the largest cities in the world.

The Millers served as the Senior Pastor for congregations in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. They also served the Church of God denomination as Evangelism Director in DelMarVa-DC (1981-86; 1997-2002); Administrative Bishop of Hawaii and Ministry to the Military Director of the Far East (1986-90); and a member of numerous boards, committees, and task forces. Reverend Miller was a powerful gospel preacher whose heart for world missions led him to Romania, the Philippines, Haiti, Grenada, and Trinidad & Tobago. His acumen for property transactions, building projects, and capital funding endeared him to his colleagues and leaders.

Randall Miller was a well-read country boy who was as comfortable dining in a BBQ shack in East Alabama as he was enjoying the trappings of the Governor’s Mansion in Annapolis, Maryland with his friend Donald Schaefer. He was a lifetime lover of America’s favorite pastime and was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves, before becoming a Tampa Rays fan late in life. He had a quick wit to match his swagger, an ever-present newspaper to satisfy his thirst for information, a firm handshake to complement his integrity, and was famous for using the “power of the pause” in his love for dialogue.

Pastor Miller’s life was characterized by his priority of faith and passion for family. He is the father of three daughters: Cynthia (Steve) Bauer of Baltimore, MD; Carla (Jeff) Robinson of Plant City, FL; and Charlotte (Chris) Music of Columbia, MD. He cultivated meaningful and consistent relationships with each one of his seven grandchildren: Samantha Blades, Christopher Bauer, Carter (Abby) Music, Stone (Emma) Robinson, Abigail (Tyler) Hughes, Randyl Music, and Lily Robinson. And his joy was living long enough to know his great-grandchildren: Graham Music, Oakland Hughes, Jude Music, and soon-to-come Baby Hughes. He is a beloved brother-in-law to his and Sandra’s siblings’ spouses and a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews all over the South, with a special place in his heart for Gayle, Donita, Wayne, and Penny.

A Celebration-of-Life service will be held at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Rd, Plant City, FL 33566, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. On Friday, November 14, 2025 a visitation and Memorial Gathering will take place at 10:00 am and 11:00 am (EST) respectively at Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 3738 Hwy 431 N, Phenix City, AL 36867. Graveside Farewell will immediately follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City. Hopewell Funeral Home is handling the Florida arrangements and Vance Brooks Funeral Home is handling the Alabama services.