Lamar Gowan Miller

Lamar was born in a sawmill camp in Kosciusko, Mississippi on August 11, 1925. He attended Pickens County High School in Reform, Alabama and liked to tell people he went to reform school to see their reaction. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 during World War II. He was in Germany on VE Day-Victory in Europe, May 8, 1945 and in the Philippines on VJ Day-Victory over Japan, August 15, 1945. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant on March 1, 1946.

Lamar came home intending to go to college on the GI Bill but ended up going to work for Western Electric in 1947 as an installer. This began his long career with the Bell System until he retired in 1987 as an equipment engineer.

Lamar was a faithful member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama since 1968. He served as chairman of the deacons and was instrumental in starting a mission church known as Valleydale Church. He had a passion for missions and began going to Brazil in 1991 to work on building churches. He went for over 25 years and his last trip was in 2019 at the age of 94. In addition to international missions, he was involved in Carpenters for Christ for many years.

Lamar enjoyed gardening and was an avid University of Alabama football fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Orpha Miller; his brother, Judson Miller; and his sister, Alice McDonald. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Virginia Beard Miller, and his wife of 24 years, Florence Tisdale Miller.

Lamar is survived by his daughters, Linda Oliver and Cynthia Mace (Michael); one son, Floyd Miller (Pam); three step-children, Bruce Tisdale, Lisa Tisdale, Linda Baker; sister, Florene Elliott; and brother, Norman Miller (Sarah). He was blessed with 11 grandchildren who called him Pawpaw: Farrah Caudill (Phil), Stan Oliver (Chera), Jonathon Oliver, Michael Oliver (Dannielle), Tyler Miller (Katie), Cameron Miller (Danielle), Sydney Richmond (Matt), Brock Mace (Mercedes), Brandt Mace (Emma), Murray Cook, and Adam Blaylock. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The celebration of Lamar's life will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Lakeside Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to the service. A private family burial will take place at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to missions at Lakeside Baptist Church, 2865 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. For more information, visit www.lakesidebaptist.com.