Joseph E. Miller

Mr. Joseph E. Miller (Joe), 78, of Dalton and Acworth, passed away July 4, 2008, having been disabled by a severe stroke in the Fall of 2005, and cancer in December, 2007. He was preceded in death by his father, Ivor D. Miller and his mother, Opal Taylor Barrett, a daughter-in-law, Laurene Stanley Miller, his father-in-law Ed Owen and brother-in-law, Ed Jr. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 1/2 years, Ann O. Miller; sons and daughters-in-law, Philip and Marilyn Miller of Gainesville, TX; Steve and Cherie Miller of Acworth, GA; and Richard and Angela Miller of the Clearwater, Florida area; grandchildren, Joe, James and Robbie Ann Miller; Andrew, Benjamin, David and Paul Miller; Danielle and Melanie Miller; also step-grandsons Steve, Josh and Mark Ewings. He is also survived by his beloved mother-in-law, Pauline Owen, now 102, whom he relished caring for in recent years; one aunt, Laverne Taylor Moody of Dyersburg, TN, and several cousins. Joe was an only child.
Joe was born in Tiptonville, TN, on December 6, 1929, a few weeks after the stock market crash and the beginning of the Great Depression. His younger years were spent in Cottonwood Point, MO, and Summertown, TN. He was a graduate of Columbia (TN) High School and Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN. Joe enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean conflict. He met his future wife while stationed at Robins Air Force Base with the 14th Air Force. Following graduation from Officer Candidate School in Texas, he enjoyed duties in Panama City, FL, and Fayetteville, NC. As he often stated: "I never left the South."
Having taken early discharge from the Air Force in 1953 under the early release policy, Joe joined Bibb Mfg. Company in Macon, GA. After a training period with Bibb, Joe and Ann (whom he married in January, 1954) came to Dalton in late 1954 as a "string peddler" (his description of selling yarn), where he called on the bedspread, bathmat, scatter rug and the emerging tufted carpet industry. In 1963 he became a part of Gurley & Company (later Pharr Yarns), joining Paul Gurley and Chuck Christiansen in yarn sales, where he stayed until retirement. Growing up with the carpet industry, Joe always remembered with affection the many associations he had through the years, beginning with the pioneers in the industry.
Joe was an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed many years of golfing with friends at the Dalton Country Club, and many happy times fishing at his favorite place, Lake Weiss in North AL. Later in life he took up skeet shooting. He was a committed Christian and was associated with several Dalton churches, having served as deacon at both Dalton First Baptist and Fellowship Bible Church. He dearly loved his family and was a faithful and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
The family will receive friends Sunday, from 5:00-8:00 PM at Love Funeral Home in Dalton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite ministry or charity or Regency Hospice, 20 B Fox Chase, Cartersville, GA 30120, who faithfully assisted Joe and his family during his final weeks.
Funeral Services will be held Monday at 2:00 PM at Fellowship Bible Church in Dalton.
A brief graveside service will be held Tuesday in Hawkinsville, Georgia.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.