Doris Miller

Charlotte - Doris Glenn Brown Miller, born on March 28, 1932 in Charlotte NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, September 10, 2016, surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was cherished, having brought love and laughter to all that knew her.

A lifelong native of Charlotte, Doris graduated from Central High School in 1950. She attended Limestone College in Gaffney, SC, where as a freshman girl, she could take her Buick Brewmaster convertible, which she loved. After college, she returned to Charlotte and went to work for Wachovia Bank. In 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart, John, whom she first met at age 14. Doris was involved with all of the family businesses over her life, including the operation of Green Acres Rest Home, Green Acres Inc., and the Doris Corporation. She gave her time and leadership, working with her close friends, for many charity events, such as the Heart Ball and the Shriner’s Minikin’s Society, which raised college funds for former Shriner’s Children’s Hospital patients. Doris was a member of Central United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She served on the CUMC’s Finance Board for over 30 years and was named CUMC’s “Woman of the Year”. Doris loved Charlotte Country Day School so much that she lived across the street for 40 years. She was a loyal CCDS supporter, and for 10 years, hosted an annual BBQ dinner for football players and their parents, which became a tradition. She and John were honored as Charter members of the CCDS Alumni Association in 1981.

Doris enjoyed traveling the world with John and friends. Their travels included Europe, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Africa. She especially enjoyed their trip to Africa, seeing all the different animals and countries. Through her travels she enjoyed visiting the three major waterfalls, Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls and Iguazu Falls. She also traveled extensively in the U.S. with John, attending many Shrine events in support of the Shriner’s Hospitals. Doris loved spending time in Linville, NC, Myrtle Beach and Lake Wylie. She was a long time member of both Carmel Country Club and Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

Doris dearly loved her friends and family. She fed anyone who walked in her kitchen door, which her sons’ teenage friends enjoyed. Doris made Christmas special every year with decorations and gifts, which she gave to not just her family, but to everyone she knew. She loved flowers, animals, traveling, and doing needlepoint, including Christmas stockings for the family. But she especially loved John, her boys and her family. Her grandchildren knew her as Mama Doris, which was synonymous with “Love”. She showered them with the love only a grandmother knows and they loved her back. They could do no wrong in her eyes and each has special memories of the fun they had with Mama Doris.

Doris is predeceased by her parents, Gaynell Hager Brown and Craig T. Brown Sr.; by her brother, Craig T. Brown Jr.; and by her infant daughter, Doris Glenn. She is survived by her loving husband, John S. Miller Jr.; her sons, John Miller (Claire) and Tom Miller (Janet); and her grandchildren, Carrie Miller (Keirnan Willett), Shannon Miller, Zach Miller, Jackson Miller and Mary Elizabeth Miller. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Jackie Miller (Ken) and Maryann Cathey, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends that she considered family. The family gives special thanks and gratitude to Brenda Jones for her care and love to Doris, John and the family, as well as to Linda Workman for her many years working with the Miller family. The family also wants to recognize and thank the caring staff at Southminster for their kindness and help.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 16, 2016 at 11:00 am at Southminster, 8919 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210. The family will receive friends following the service at Southminster. Parking provided at Southminster or Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church, 8801 Park Rd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, c/o Oasis Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Pl., Charlotte, NC 28262; Central United Methodist Church General Fund, 6030 Albemarle Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212; or a charity of your choice.