Charles Henry Miller
On Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, Charles Henry Miller, loving husband and father of four, passed away at the age of 88.
He was born in 1935 to James and Edith Miller in Catawba County, North Carolina, he grew up on the farm with six brothers and two sisters. He married his high school sweetheart, Virginia, on Christmas Eve. They were married for 69 years. He received a bachelor's degree in math from Lenoir Rhyne University, with the intention of becoming a teacher. He applied for and was accepted for a Health Physics Fellowship at Vanderbilt University.
He worked as a health physicist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 31 years.
After retirement , Charles began his second career in volunteer work. He lent his services to several organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, where he worked 3-plus days a week. He also volunteered at Knox Area Rescue Ministries.
He enjoyed helping neighbors, friends, church members, and his church, Faith Lutheran in Oak Ridge, where he was a long-term member. He also helped his children and grandchildren with maintenance, remodeling, and construction projects at their homes. He and Virginia enjoyed camping and took several trips across the country with their camper. He also enjoyed gardening (sharing the produce with neighbors and friends), bowling, playing basketball, croquet, and watching University of Tennessee football and basketball. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, taking them fishing, and giving tractor and wagon rides in the back yard.
Charles was a humble man, soft spoken, with a wonderful sense of humor, who loved his family and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ray, Glenn, Bill, Max, and sister Faye Braswell.
Charles is survived by his wife Virginia, his brothers, Guy, Tom (Cathy), his sister Kathleen, and sister-in-law Helen Miller, children Cynthis Kendrick, Sandra Barnard, Rebecca Wrasman (Bernard), and James (Carol), five grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge, TN on March 23rd, 2024. Receiving friends will begin at 10:00am with the service to follow at 11:00am. A private graveside service was performed on March 4th, 2024, at Woodhaven Cemetery in Claxton, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Alzheimer's Association, or the charity of your choice.