Jean Lee Miller

Mrs. Miller was born June 29, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Dudley Bruce Clark and Lillian L. Moore. She was raised in the home of her paternal grandparents, the late George Washington Clark and Maude Friel. She spent her summers on Hamlin Lake near Ludington, Mich.

She attended Midway Elementary School, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, was a 1959 graduate of Catawba College, did graduate studies at Appalachian State University and attended the Radio School of N.C. During WWII, she was employed with the Illinois Central Railroad and did volunteer decoding work at the University of Chicago Naval Station. Her inspiration in life was her late uncle, Dr. Charles Alexander Moore, a professor of philosophy at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Mrs. Miller shared her love of learning as a teacher in Rowan County and Kannapolis City schools. After retirement, she spent the next eight years caring for grandchildren and other children in her home.

In her spare time, Mrs. Miller studied the Bible, French, Latin, New Testament Greek, piano and clarinet. She read numerous medical, historical and religious books in addition to three newspapers daily, where she also indulged her love of crossword puzzles. She made trips to Hawaii and Chicago but was unable to travel extensively, though she maintained a desire to return to Chicago and tour the museums, libraries and art galleries.

In addition to learning and teaching, Mrs. Miller’s passion was her fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. It was a great relaxation for her to ride her lawn mower and rake leaves in the sunshine. Another hobby was photographing her family and keeping photo albums.

Mrs. Miller was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Salisbury, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, member of the Women’s Missionary Society, choir, singles club and senior citizens group. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and a member of the Shrine.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was predeceased by her brother, Bruce Lee Clark.

Mrs. Miller is survived by her daughters, Barbara Miller Collins and Mary Frances Miller (of the home), and sons, Bruce Lee Miller (Judy), Dudley Albert Miller (Anita) and Richard Eugene Miller (Kelly), all of Salisbury. Her grandchildren are Kim Collins Tate (Les), Jennifer Collins Hogan Messer, Brian Collins (Kim), Alicia Miller Corbett (Paul), Randall Miller, Catherine Miller McCracken (Art) and Joshua Miller (Amy). Great-grandchildren are Christine Myers Mize (Gavin), Gunnar Hogan, Bryson Collins, Morgan Miller and Garrison Collins.

Visitation will be 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Linn Honeycutt Funeral Home in China Grove. At other times, the family will be at the home of Barbara Miller Collins.

The service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Grace Lutheran Church in Salisbury, with the Rev. Gene Bost officiating.

Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Rowan County Hospice or the charity of your choice.