The Celebration of Life service for Elder Charles Miller is 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Ada. Bishop Malcolm W. Coby, Ph.D. will be officiating. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery. A Wake Service will be held 6:00 p.m. Friday at St. James Church of God in Christ in Ada.
Elder Coach Miller passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016 in Ada, OK. He was born August 4, 1954 in Ada, OK to Mrytle and Johnny Miller. He graduated from Byng High School in 1972 and later received his bachelors degree in 1996 and masters degree in 2001 both from East Central University.
After working in various fields, he started his career with the Ada City Schools System in 1983. In his 32 years of service, he served as bus driver, janitor, teacher, coach, and mentor to many. In 2005, he was named Willard Schools Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for the top teacher in the Ada School District. He also served and led various boards and committees in the Ada community throughout the years. Among his most cherished were the times he spent serving as president of Caring for Adas Children, president of the Black History Month Committee, board member of CASA, and advisory board member of Ada Boys and Girls Club. He also coached youth sports for over 39 years and organized and planned many tournaments, camps, and leagues to ensure children in the Ada community had the opportunity to both enjoy sports and to practice skills that would help them in life.
Elder Miller was saved in 1979 and served St. James Church of God in Christ in many capacities. He accepted his call to the ministry in 1994 and faithfully served under his mentor, Elder James V. Moore, who led churches in Ada and McAlester. He was installed as the pastor of St. James in 2005. In this role, he displayed a great love for the church through servant leadership, and also became known as the community pastor. He gave himself tirelessly to visiting and praying for the sick, organizing community services, serving as spiritual, guidance, and marriage counselor, and officiating the weddings and funerals of many friends and family members.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 26 years, Edith Miller of the home; four sisters, Doretha Albert of San Fransico, CA, Bernice Lewis of Ada, Betty Jean Coulter and Bertha Mae Miller of Oklahoma City; a brother, Roosevelt Miller of Ada; and eleven children, Clay Johnson of Lawton, Chris Johnson (Patricia) of Oklahoma City, Raymond Miller, Eric Gray, Derrick Gray (Joanna) of Ada, Lashonda Davis (Gary) of Oklahoma City, Myrtle Miller of Ada, Lillian Miller of Norman, Maria Miller, Tenecia Miller, and Trayvon Miller of Ada. He also leaves half-siblings, 22 grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews who were all very near and dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mrytle and Johnny Miller; one sister, Maxine Miller, and four brothers, Johnny Miller, Jr., Robert Lee Miller, Edward Miller, and Eugene Miller.
The love, laughter, and legacy that he shared throughout his life will forever be engraved in the hearts of many.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
