Mary June Miller — Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Matriarch, and God’s Beloved.
June 3, 1930 – December 21, 2014
Mary June Miller, 84, beautiful and devoted wife and mother of five children, entered into the presence of God on December 21, 2014. She was the loving wife of Kenneth C. Miller for 61 years. June was born in Toledo, Ohio to Dalton W. and Lona Gouge. Her family moved to Elizabethton, Tenn., when she was a child. June attended Happy Valley High School, where she was Valedictorian of her class and went on to attend East Tennessee State College in 1950, to receive a degree in Finance. She enjoyed her employment at Citizens Bank, prior to marrying and starting her family.
June was the President of the PTA at Hunter Elementary School, her children’s elementary school, for a number of years. She was an avid reader, gardener and a fabulous cook. Her Iris gardens, grown on the family farm at Lincoln Drive, were toured annually by the local chapter of the DAR and flower arrangements were made for their spring meetings. She was known for her cake baking.
June and her family became members of Hunter First Baptist Church in 1964, where she faithfully served her beloved church family. She is best described in the words of her oldest grandson, Samuel T. Beale V, “My grandmother was a force in my life from the beginning, her home was a paradise for me as a child and her wisdom and values provided me with a strong, Christian foundation for my life. I will never forget the love that she showed me as my grandmother and I hope that I can impart just a little of what she taught me to the people I care about and make a difference in the lives of others with a career in public service.”
June was preceded in death by her loving parents and two loving brothers, Murrel and Vernon Gouge, both World War II veterans. She has one younger brother, Gene Gouge and wife Betty of Johnson City, whom she loved dearly. June is survived by her adoring husband of 61 years, Kenneth C. Miller, and her five children, who loved her unconditionally, Pamela, Michael, Susan, Donna and Julie; three sons-in-law, Don Gibson, Sam Beale IV and Sam Taylor; one daughter-in-law, Tammy Miller; six grandchildren, Samuel Beale V, Kendall Beale, Lili Snyder, Caroline Taylor, Julianne Taylor and Gabby Miller; nephews and nieces, Larry Gouge, Lee Gouge, Mark Gouge, Eric Gouge and Gina Speropulos.
The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, December 27, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, with Rev. Sherrel Nave officiating. Interment will follow on the Miller family farm. Pallbearers will be Michael Miller, Samuel T. Beale V, Kendall Beale, Samuel T. Beale IV, Sam Taylor, Don Gibson Jr., Lee Gouge and Kevin Stafford. The family will receive friends Saturday, prior to the service, from 12:30-2 p.m. at the church. The family requests those who prefer to make memorial contributions, please do so to First Baptist Church of Elizabethton, 212 East F Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.appfh.net.
Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, (928-6111), is serving the Miller family.