Thomas Miller, Sr.
Thomas Lee Miller, Sr., of Chattanooga, died peacefully after an 87-year-long life of self-sacrifice in service to his immediate and extended family, and to others on Thursday evening, Oct. 30, 2014 for the heavenly life promised him by his Lord Jesus Christ, “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Tom was born July 17, 1927 to Joe and Jimmie Miller of Columbus, Mississippi. Graduating high school in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving from June 1945 until August 1946 as a seaman first class in the Pacific in World War II. He married Ellen Lucille Gibson on May 7, 1949. Over the extent of his working life, Tom was employed by Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, MS, the United States Post Office as a postman, and for the last thirty years of his working life he was employed by Louis Dreyfus Corporation, ending his career as a Purchasing Agent for them in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and later the Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church, both of Pascagoula.
He and Ellen moved to Chattanooga in 2006, having been victims of hurricane Katrina. They resided at 415 Forest Glen Drive, in Chattanooga until health issues necessitated their move to the ManorHouse Assisted Living facility in Chattanooga. During his time in Chattanooga, Tom was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church in Red Bank, Tennessee. He was a third degree Mason and an Ordained Deacon.
Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He spent his life in service to others, always placing the needs of his family above his own. He was beloved by us all and will be missed immensely.
Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Miller Johnson of Vicksburg, Ms., he is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Ellen; his son Thomas L. Miller, Jr. (Linda) and his daughter Ellen Miller Matulich (Chris) all of Chattanooga; his sister, Lillian Miller Chapman of Frisco City, Al.; four grandchildren, Tiffany Godbehere (Stephen) of Chattanooga, Lesleigh Odell (Jeremy) of Knoxville, Alyssa Matulich, and Kelli Matulich, both of Chattanooga; and six great-grandchildren, Drew Godbehere of Knoxville, Tn., Maddie Godbehere, Ethan Godbehere, and Jon Ryan Godbehere, all of Chattanooga, Emily Odell and Bentley Odell, both of Knoxville; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held in the Coulter Chapel of Lane Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, followed by a military funeral service at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Sam Greer of Red Bank Baptist Church will be officiating.
Contributions as a tribute or memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org are requested in lieu of gifts of flowers.
Visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences.
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 423 877-3524.