Linda Koehler Miller

Linda K. Miller passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at the age of 83, after a brief illness. A native Memphian, she graduated from White Station High School and attended Memphis State University.

Linda devoted her career to public service, advocating for victims and working to reduce crime. Linda was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Paroles by Gov. Lamar Alexander where she served for over ten years. She was then named by County Mayor Bill Morris as Warden of the Adult Offender Center, a 600-bed correctional facility for adult men. She went on to serve as Interim Deputy Director of the Shelby County Division of Corrections under newly elected County Mayor Jim Rout. While working for Mayor Rout, she proposed a center for crime victims. Mayor Rout made it part of his 100-day plan, and Linda created the Shelby County Victims Assistance Center, serving as its first Executive Director.

Linda then turned her administrative skills to serving the families of cancer patients as Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. She later returned her focus to victims and crime reduction as Executive Director of the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission and Program Director of its Operation Safe Community initiative. After a brief retirement, she helped coordinate the development of the Family Safety Center of Memphis and Shelby County, which serves as a central location for services for victims of family violence. Linda served as the Center's first Interim Executive Director and retired once a permanent Executive Director was hired. After her second and final retirement, she remained involved with the Family Safety Center, served on the board of Safeways, and was a member of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary.

Linda is survived by her three children, Melia (Dr. Drew) Murphy, Ted (Dr. Ashley) Miller, and Jennifer (Jon) Buhler. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Will (Kate) Murphy; Andrew (Katea) Murphy of Dallas, TX; Owen Miller; William Miller of New York, NY; Everett Miller of Charlotte, NC; and Mary Taylor Buhler. She also leaves two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Samuel Murphy.

Services will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. George's Episcopal Church, 2425 S. Germantown Road, Germantown, TN. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall, followed by the service at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Inurnment in the Columbarium will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Ronald McDonald House, the Salvation Army, St. George's Episcopal Church or a charity of the donor's choice.