Russell Samuel Miller

Russell Samuel Miller "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," Psalms 116:15 Surrounded by the love of his family, Russell Samuel Miller, age 95, peacefully took the hand of Jesus, April 30, 2014, to be reunited with his sweetheart of over 66 years, Frances Jackson Miller, who predeceased him in November 2012. Three sisters and a brother also preceded him in death. Russell was born on May 3, 1918 in Washington, DC, the eldest of 11 children. His first job was to learn the trade of becoming a coppersmith at the Washington Navy Yard, which was the position that he was assigned to aboard the USS Currituck when he entered active duty to serve in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. After the war, he continued his career with the Department of the Navy and retired from the Naval Air Systems Command in 1973. Upon retirement, Russell devoted many years to being church treasurer and head of the bus ministry until his move to Wilmington in 1980. He had a special talent for carpentry and made many pieces of furniture that he gave as gifts. Russell is survived by his two daughters, Carmalyn and Becky; two granddaughters, Stephanie Baker (Matt), and Lisa Miller; three great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Ethan Baker, and Peyton Miller; two sisters, Edna Hartman and Frances Cook; four brothers, Herbert, Ottie, Fred, and Charles Miller; two sisters-in-law, Anne Stancer and Peggy Jackson; and a host of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11am Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Pine Valley Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Entombment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to Pine Valley Baptist Church, 3940 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28403, or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.