Alfred "Al" Nelson Miller

Al was born on June 9, 1951, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Altoona High School, where he was active in the band and served as Drum Major. After attending community college, Al continued his education at Penn State University.

In 1980, you would likely find Al at a local disco. That was where he met his future wife, Mary. A career change eventually led them from the East Coast to the West Coast. Al and Mary were married in 1990 in Valencia, California, and made their home there until they realized the cost of living was much more affordable back East. In 2006, they made the decision to move to Charlotte. Al didn’t yet have a job, but Mary was confident her background in the healthcare industry would sustain them until Al found work.

With his strong customer service background, Al spent the remainder of his working career as a TSA agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. That tall, handsome gentleman was the one you had to convince to let you on the plane.

Al was always gracious and ready to serve. A man of deep faith, he willingly answered the call at his local churches. His booming bass voice resounded through the sanctuary on Sunday mornings at Blair Road United Methodist Church. He served on several committees, most notably as chairperson of Staff Parish. Overseeing the staff of a church is both rewarding and challenging, and Al was always a gifted mediator.

When the call came to establish a new church, Al brought his talents to The Road Church. He again served on Staff Parish and became one of the original members of the praise team, fondly named The Rolling Tones. This group of musicians became his core group at the church.

You could never miss his voice when he sang “Oh Happy Day.” When the pastor struggled to refocus the congregation after the Passing of the Peace, Al found the perfect solution: leading the singing of “This Is the Day.” That tradition began three years ago when The Road Church was founded and continues to this day.

Friends and family always looked forward to Al singing “Happy Birthday.” There was something uniquely special about this man with such a big heart taking time to make someone’s day brighter. Many people still cherish recordings of that joyful song from a very special man.

Al was an avid golfer. He and Mary made their home in Charlotte overlooking one of the holes at Olde Sycamore Golf Community. When he wasn’t on that course, you could find him swinging clubs at Rolling Hills in Monroe. The golf course was more than recreation, it was a place of peace for Al and Mary, where they enjoyed sitting on their back deck enjoying a glass of wine with cheese and crackers as the sun set over the fairway.

Al had a heart as big as his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When Al’s heart began to fail and it became clear that all measures to save his earthly life had been exhausted, Al knew exactly what the Lord had in store for him. He would soon be another strong bass voice in God’s heavenly choir.

Al is survived by his wife, Mary: brothers, Garland Miller, Monford Miller, Dennis Miller and Curtis Miller; extended family and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requests that donations be made to The Road Church, Post Office Box 690683, Mint Hill, NC 28227. Please designate gifts to the Capital Fund.