She was born in Conasauga, in Polk County, to Nina Tankersley Painter and Samuel Ellet Painter. Her father worked for the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Forest Service, so the family moved frequently.
When she was 14, her father was assigned to a position in Puerto Rico, which is where they lived when Pearl Harbor was bombed and war was declared.
They then moved to Cleveland, where she attended Bradley Central High School and later moved to Nashville. After graduating from Nashville East High School, she returned to Cleveland and started nurse’s training at UC and Erlanger Hospital.
She married Fred A. Miller Jr.; raised two children who made her proud; ran a successful business, Miller Furniture Co. with her husband; was involved in church and community activities; enjoyed babysitting her two grandchildren and seeing them grow up and marry into loving families and welcomed four precious great-granddaughters.
In addition to her parents and her husband, her beloved son, Drew Miller of Soddy-Daisy, predeceased her in 2007. Several aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephews also predeceased her.
She was an active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church for 65 years, serving as an office volunteer for 15 years and member of the Congregational Care Committee and enjoying Lunch Bunch, Prime Timers travelers, Rodgers Sunday School class and Laura Smith Circle fellowship.
She was named Woman of the Year for the United Methodist Woman’s Society. She also helped with the UM Youth and Vacation Bible School.
She was very involved in the nurturing and development of her children’s lives. She was proud of their university graduations and accomplishments as adults. She was a lifetime member of the Parent Teacher Association and served as president of the George R. Stuart PTA. She was instrumental in the funding efforts to build Cleveland High School.
She served as as troop leader for both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and assisted with many concerts, school trips, basketball and baseball games, school plays, celebrations and college activities.
A nursing scholarship was endowed at Cleveland State Community in honor of Nancy and Fred.
She remained close with her BCHS friends and became the coordinator of the class of 1945 reunions for the past years. She had a good time at the Bradley Girls and The Red Hat Society gatherings. She enjoyed gardening at home and with the Azalea Garden Club and Mouse Creek Home Demonstration Club.
She was active in other organizations such as the American Legion and VFW auxiliaries.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra O. Miller and her husband, John C. Thatcher, of Hixson; granddaughter, Dr. Christy Smith and her husband, Dr. B.J. Smith, of Jonesborough; grandson, Jameson Miller, CPA, and his wife, Ashley, RN/CNOR, of Hixson; four great-granddaughters: Meridith, Addie, Andrea and Ellie Smith; sister, Rozan Rogers of Oak Ridge; two uncles: Ralph Painter and the Rev. Ted Painter of Chattanooga; several cousins, including Col. Samuel T. (Ginger) Rhodes of Alexandria, Va., Nancy (Flavis) Casson and Gray Epperson of Cleveland, Billy (Gai) Davis of Cleveland, Miss., Gene (Dianna) Painter and Penny Daniel, all of Chattanooga; nieces and nephew: Laura Mudgett, Lynne Goodman, Suzette Harris, Susan Wexler, Mike Harris; step-family: John L., Melanie, John Jr. and Ryan Thatcher and Terri McCoy all of Trenton, Ga.
A Celebration of Nancy’s life will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 4 p.m., at Broad Street UMC with the Revs. Reed Shell and Debbie Stokes officiating.
Interment will follow at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Mike Harris, Jameson Miller, Dr. B.J. Smith, Ron Williams, Joe Moore and Tom Cloud serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Laura Smith Circle and Rodgers Sunday School class.
Her family will receive friends at the church from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
Debra is so thankful for many people for all of the prayers, cards, visits, calls, support, hugs, messages, love and words of encouragement that were received during her mother’s illness. They were truly a blessing at this time.
In keeping with Nancy’s wishes of no flowers, please send donations to Broad Street UMC Congregational Care, P.O. Box 3; Cleveland, TN 37364-0003 or the charity of your choice.
Fike Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Miller family guest book at www.fikefh.com.
