Jane Carol Greear Miller

Jane Carol Greear Miller, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her five children on February 4, 2025. Born in Washington, DC on June 18, 1939, Jane was the oldest of six children born to John and Valeria Greear. Along with their parents, Jane and her siblings lived in numerous cities, finally settling in Atlanta in 1953. In 1957, she graduated from Christ the King All Girls High School which was located at the current Christ the King School. Her spirit of adventure in high school inspired her love of learning and ignited her love for Atlanta history. In her early adult life, Jane played the accordion, taught herself to sew, honed her tireless work ethic, and completed her degree at Georgia State University. On August 3, 1963, Jane married Walt Miller at Our Lady of the Assumption Church and they built their first home (next door to her parents’ home) where they later raised their five children.

Jane gave generously of her time, loved a challenge, and had tremendous capacity. She managed to do more in a day than most could accomplish in a week. While raising her five children, she sewed dresses for her daughters, prepared home cooked meals seven days a week, managed all of her children’s activities, and all the while making their house a welcoming home. Jane loved to socialize and one of her greatest loves was having a house full of family and friends - secretly hoping everyone would get snowed in for the night! She was always known for welcoming everyone with a plate of brownies. Though she considered raising her children and being a homemaker her greatest vocations, she also shared her talents in the workplace at HEW, IRS, and at St. Bede’s Preschool. When Walt’s health declined in his later years, Jane returned to her role as a caregiver and focused her energy and efforts on caring for him.

Jane was a faithful servant and devout Catholic, prioritizing Catholic education for her children and modeling how to live and love like Jesus. Jane attended daily Mass, assisted with the altar guild, packed necessities for the military overseas, and baked weekly meals for the priests at Holy Cross parish.

Affectionately known to her grandchildren as Mi Mom, she cherished her grandchildren and guided them in their faith and academic pursuits. She surprised them with donuts, attended games and recitals, baked cookies with them, gave them pennies to throw in the fountain at Carillon on the annual family beach trips, and warmed up blankets in the dryer to keep them cozy. She made each grandchild feel like they were her favorite and delighted them with her sincere interest in the small details of their lives.

With a servant heart, a sweet generous soul, and a tenacious spunk, Jane lived vigorously. These gifts gave her the grit and grace to fight a courageous battle with kidney disease in her last year. It seemed as though the harder her days became, the more likely it was that she was thinking of doing something for someone else.

Jane was predeceased by her loving husband, Walt Miller, and her grandson, Liam Wall. She is survived by her children, Melanie Wall (Bill) of Birmingham, AL, Valerie Maloof (Steve) of Atlanta, Mary Lisa McCarthy (Billy) of Dothan, AL, Holly Emberson (Tom) of Nashville, TN, and Lee Miller (Jeaneen) of Cumming. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, five siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11 from 6 to 8 pm followed by a Rosary at 8 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 12 at 11 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walt and Jane Miller Family Scholarship at Saint Pius X Catholic High School, 2674 Johnson Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30345.