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Jill Miller Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jill Miller
Sponsored by Jill's husband and friend, David M. Veater..
David Leroy Strickland
May 3, 2022
I met Jill soon after she moved to Georgia. She was a beautiful person and a free spirit. I cherish the memories of our time together. I do wish to send my deepest and most sincere condolences to Jill's husband and family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Sean Fretwell
April 18, 2005
Words cannot begin to describe the level of impact Dr. Miller has had and will continue to have on so many lives. She was truly and amazing woman and never ceased to amaze me. The influence she had during her time at AASU is greater than most professors are able to acheive in a lifetime of teaching. She inspired and motivated like noone else. Dr. Miller, we all love and miss you dearly ... but it is great to have your memory, which will stay with me and many many others for the rest of our lives. Thanks for everything and we love you.
Sabrina Koneman
April 15, 2005
I guess the first thought that comes to my mind is..."I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!!" I've just found out about Dr.Miller's death and am honestly just speechless. She was an absolutely WONDERFUL teacher! It's really ironic, because I was just looking through my journal that she made our class keep (3 years ago)and thinking about how much Dr. Miller changed my ideas about art. I went into the class dreading having to take it, but when it was over I was sad that it was ending. She truly made me see the beauty of art and the world around us. I will surely cherish this journal now, because of the many inspiring (and funny!) comments she made to me throughout it.
Well, the art department at AASU will surely never be the same. Dr. Miller will surely be missed. And Dr. Miller, if you can hear me, "Thank you for your influence in my education and I'm sure you're thrilled to see that there is no "kitsch" in heaven!"
Debbie Gerold
April 1, 2005
My deepest sympathy to the family. I met Jill when she lived in Minneapolis and grew to love and appreciate her. She was so excited about going to Savannah and starting her life there. We travelled together to visit the school soon after she received her position. Dear Jill, the world has lost a beautiful soul.
Leonard Thomas
March 31, 2005
I never had Dr. Miller for a class. I knew her as an honors advisor. I don't think I ever talked to her about anything official though. I just loved to talk with her about life and school, the people we knew and the art we loved. I never felt anything ingenuine from her. She was a fantastic woman of great character and heart. I quit AASU, but I looked forward to going back to her office, to tell her all about my life and hear what she was doing with the Honors program and her classes. She was a true friend and the world is a much emptier place without her.
Landa Swindle
March 29, 2005
Dr. Miller always had a hug and smile to share. My fondest memory of her is from last spring when I brought my then 4 year old daughter to class and afterwards we all went downstairs to her office. She was so captivated by my child and was so sweet as she conversed with Caitlin. Jill just illuminated the room with her presence and I will truly miss stopping by her office to say hi or passing her in the hallway as I'm trekking to class. I feel such a void but am grateful for having known her the short time I did.
Mandy Morris
March 29, 2005
I have been severely heartbroken since I learned of Dr. Miller's passing. I first took Art Appreciation with her and I was hooked on her classes. I went on to take two more classes with her and I learned tremendously about art and life in general from her. Her enthusiasm was always so contagious. I remember her as going out of her way to help her students in any way possible. In fact, I owe her credit for helping me get into graduate school. I had emailed her asking for her to write a letter of recommendation. She was out of town doing research but she took time out of her schedule to get the recommencation in on time. This is just one of the many examples of what a great person and professor she was. She had much impact on my life and I know many others and I hope that can be a comforting fact for her family. She will certainly be missed and remembered.
Mildred Huie Wilcox
March 29, 2005
It was a rare opportunity for me to have lunch with Dr. Miller and her husband, David Veater, this past year at which time she presented me with a book she had written on French art. Her unselfish demeanor and willingness to share her knowledge made this a memorable occasion.
Tammy Luke
March 29, 2005
Dr. Miller was one of the greatest teachers that I've ever known. Her passion for art led me to find a deeper understanding of the importance of art and cultures. She was a very special person to me. I will never forget her kindness and her excitement both in and out of the classroom. Dr. Miller was encouraging and one of the brightest women that I've ever met, and I'm glad to have known her as a teacher and a friend. She was a wonderful person and she will be missed and remembered always. God bless her family and be with them through this time. My prayers are with you all.
Sarah Allen
March 29, 2005
Dr. Miller was an inspiration to all of her students. She put 120% into every class she taught. Her enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter made me want to learn. She made art personal and exciting! She helped me solidify my decision to become a designer. She will be greatly missed.
Katie Staley
March 29, 2005
My deepest sympathies, Upon hearing this news I was startled, Jill Miller has only been my professor for two semesters, she was a profound and intelligent woman. I am baffled to death, all I can think of is What happened? I send my deepest regards to her family. She was loved.
Susan Brown
March 29, 2005
I am one of the many former students of Dr. Miller that can only dream of being the kind of teacher, role model, friend, encourager, etc., etc., that she exhibited to us every day. Her love and knowledge of art made her classes so interesting and inspired a burning desire in me to learn so that I could pass on that information and passion to others. The world was definitely a better place because of Dr. Miller and I know she will be missed by so many, but her legacy will live on in the lives of all of us that she touched. Thank you and say hello to the greatest artist of all time for me, would you?
Jeanette Kehr
March 28, 2005
The world is a much better place for having had Jill a part of it. She is an inspiration and a joy to be around and I will miss her deeply. When I first met Jill,her mere presence intimidated me. I signed up for her Art History class after I had had another professor for 2 other Art History classes. Needless to say I dropped her course. (I was a chicken). The next semester I signed up for her class again determined to give her a chance. I fell in love with her enthusiasm and her energy. What I like the most about her is her accute sensitivity to the one thing a student needs to succeed. She hones in on that need and fills it full of laughter and challenges. After taking that first class with Jill, I took any class she taught. She has made a positive impact on my life and on how I view myself as an individual.
I, being the mother of a daughter, wanted to thank Jill's mother for giving such a wonderful gift to the world. A daughter is a special gift. I send my sympathy to Jill's family. I will always miss her, but I will also feel the impact of her enthusiasm and hear the smile in her voice.
Michael Smilonich
March 28, 2005
I just want to thank everyone for their kind comments and invite you to remember my sister by sharing your stories and memories at: http://www.RememberMySister.com
This is a permanent site to honor Dr. Jill Miller.
Thank you,
Mike Smilonich (Jill's brother)
Maggie Chamberlain
March 28, 2005
Participating in art history instructed by Dr. Miller was an honor. Dr. Miller provided enthusiasm, inspriation, and devotion to her classes. Dr. Miller's passion and intelligence make her a role model. I will miss Dr. Miller very much.
Judith Wild
March 28, 2005
My deepest sympathy to Mike, Melissa and to all of Jill's family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon (Togstad) Minton
March 28, 2005
I went to high school with Jill & Mike and got to know Jill through extracurriculars. I remember her infectious laughter, sharp wit and compassion--she affected everyone she was around and you were a better person just for knowing her. I am so blessed to have been among those touched by her radiance. May God bless your family & grant you His incredible "peace that passes all understanding" during this difficult time.
Jessica Rice
March 27, 2005
I don't have words to express how much I will miss Dr. Miller. She was the only teacher in all my years of education to have ever inspired my life and mind. I have never learned so much and will cherish it always. The world has lost one of its greatest teachers and a truely wonderful person. I don't know of a life or a mind that she has not touched or inspired. Thank you Dr. Miller for making me want to learn and for helping me see the world through different eyes. I came out of your classes a better and more intelligent person. I will never forget you and what I learned.
Melanie Christian
March 27, 2005
Dr. Miller, Jill, was an exceptional scholar, teacher, friend, and woman. She will always be one of the most influential people in my life. Her passion for art, academics, and life in general, was palpable! Again and again, I heard students comment that before taking her classes, they had little interest in art, but now they couldn't get enough! I think that speaks volumes for her. She was not only extremely intelligent but she also had a fierce sense of humor-from Monty Python to the Simpsons, she was well versed.
Thank you Dr. Jill Miller for all the many, many gifts you gave. You will live on through so many people!
" The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels." Hazart Inayat Khan
Sarah Chamberlain
March 27, 2005
Dr. Miller was one of the most amazing and wonderful people that I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. I worked extensively with her last year as it was her first year as the Honors Program director and my year as president. I truely loved Dr. Miller as a friend and as a mother away from home. We spent many hours together just talking about school, politics, art, philiosophy and what else came to our minds. My heart and mind have truely been changed by this miraculous woman. Dr. Miller, thank you for.. it all!
Ginger Anderson
March 27, 2005
Such sadness....I feel more alone in the world and yet equally determined to make my mark as a teacher...to encourage,empower,inspire,laugh at and laugh with my students.Thank you Jill. David my thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to you and to all who Jill inspired..Ginger
Charles Estes
March 27, 2005
Dr. Miller was my friend and mentor. She is truly one of the most amazing people that I have ever met.
Carmen Cobb
March 27, 2005
Dr. Miller was much more than just a teacher or the Honors Program Director to me... and to all of my fellow Honor's students. She was a mentor, a second mother, and a very dear friend. She encouraged us to reach higher and think harder than we ever had before- and let us know that there was nothing we could not do. Dr. Miller will not be forgotten. Goodbye Dr. M, and Thank you so much.
Walter Julian
March 27, 2005
I am the father of a daughter on whom Dr. Miller made a profound impression. For the good things Dr. Miller did for my daughter I am deeply grateful.
Laurel Mergl
March 27, 2005
Unfortunately I didn't get to "know" Dr. Miller very well in person, but her husband talks about at work all the time, especially about her accomplishments. After her accident she more worried about her students than herself, so I believe that speaks volumes about her character. Don't worry, Jill. We'll take good care of David...I promise. God Bless You.
Mike Smilonich
March 27, 2005
I am Jill's Brother.
Thank you all who have written such kind words. This has been a very difficult time for us, but the ability to learn more about how Jill impacted other's lives is comforting. I have set up a blog to log stories and memories of Jill. It is a little quirky as it just went up a few hours ago. I would appreciate it if you would share your stories and thoughts at: http://www.RememberMySister.com
Th
ank you!
Terry Brown
March 27, 2005
Jill helped open my eyes to the beauty of art and made me understand its subtle nature. She was great teacher as well as being a wonderful human being. A great loss to us all.
Rob Oldham
March 27, 2005
It is with sadness that I write here. Dr. Miller was a bright light in the educational and artistic wilderness, her level of attention and caring for her students was ummatched. As a teacher and mentor to her students, all of whom loved her deeply, she was a shining example of what the quest for knowledge should be about. My final memory of her is one full of laughter and smiles and I will carry that memory with me forever. Even though she was taken from us so soon, she made an indelible mark on the lives of so many and that will be her lasting legacy. I only wish I had gotten to know her even better than I did. I do wish to send my deepest and most sincere condolences to Jill's husband and family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Maria Chatman
March 27, 2005
Dr. Miller was a kind and phenomenal woman. She was always nice to me and she will be missed. My prayers are with her and her family.
Lindsey Thompson
March 27, 2005
There are few words to express the deep sense of loss that is felt throughout the Armstrong campus. Dr. Miller's classes always meant so much more than dates and artist's names. She had an amazing ability to inspire us all. It was because of Dr. Miller that I didn't quit school altogether. I walked into Contemporary Art and Criticism that day not knowing that a lesson on Claes Oldenburg's "I am for an Art" would hit me so deeply and remind me why it was I wanted to be an educator. Dr. Miller's Contemporary Art and Criticism class helped shape my personal views as an artist and as an educator. Regardless of how busy she was, Dr. Miller was always willing to sit in her office and talk. She truly cared for her students, and I will miss her.
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