Rev. Paul Miller

Paul William Miller was born in Rutherford County North Carolina on July 29, 1929 to the late Ninus and Dora (Gray) Miller.  He gave his life to Christ as a young man and lived out his days being a devoted and disciplined disciple of Christ. On November 27, 2022 at 4:10 am, Rev. Miller went home to be with the Lord as his wife and daughters sang and prayed together at his bedside.  Though he is no longer with us, he leaves behind a wealth of wonderful memories and a legacy that will live on in those of us who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Miller was preceded in death by his sisters; Beatrice Miller Harris, Lillie Mae Miller Logan, and brothers O. D. and Romie Lee Miller.  Rev. Miller’s mother passed away when he was around two years of age; however, we honor the ancestors who loved, nurtured, and poured so selflessly into his life: Uncle Pearson Gray, Aunt Bertha Miller Wilkins, cousins Caroline Miller, and Rena Godlock. He was always so grateful for their wisdom and guidance.

After God, family was Rev. Miller’s next highest devotion. On April 23, 1953, Rev. Miller married the former Dorothy Hill. In 2023 they would have been married for 70 years. To their union five children were born: Michael Lewis (deceased), Barbara Oglesby (Ditrich) of Dacula, GA, Deborah Wilson (Jersey,Sr) of Cornelius, NC, Douglas Wayne (deceased in infancy), Janice Paulette of Tucker, GA. They have one grandson, Michael Williams.

In 1959, the Millers moved their young family from Polk County NC to Asheville, North Carolina. They joined Worldwide Missionary Baptist Church and served as faithful and active members under the leadership of Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. He made sure his family was raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Many of you likely remember Rev. Miller as an energetic gospel quartet singer. He developed a love for singing as a young boy in Polk County, NC at his home church, Zion Grove AME Zion Church. He went on to establish two gospel groups, The Golden Trumpets of Forest City, NC, and later the Trumpets of Joy of Asheville. With them Rev. Miller traveled all over North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

HIs lifestyle was transformed by the Word he read and sang, which ultimately led to God’s call to preach the gospel. He accepted the call and preached his initial sermon in 1965. He promised the Lord, through song on that day, “he would hold out” until the end.  He was licensed and ordained under Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. after studying at Fruitland Baptist Institute (Hendersonville, NC) and Columbia Bible College (Columbia, SC). Rev. Miller was later presented with an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Emmanuel Bible College.

With a leap of faith and a desire to be freed to serve God fully, Rev. Miller went into business for himself, selling to retailers and eventually opening the Pioneer House antiques and collectibles shop in Enka, NC. Rev. Miller loved finding antiques and collectibles. He had a keen eye and developed a knack for recognizing the value and beauty often found in ashes. He restored furniture, jewelry, and volumes of other nostalgic pieces to their former glory.

Rev. Miller was a pastor for over 40 years at the following churches:

Welfare Baptist Church in Asheville (now New Vision ), Mt Calvary Baptist Church (Whitestone, SC) and the Mikes Creek Baptist Church (Gaffney SC).

He served as interim pastor at the following churches: New Mount Olive Baptist Church (Asheville, NC) Liberty Baptist Church (Sylva, NC), Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Canton, NC) and First Missionary Baptist Church (Concord, NC).

Along with his wife, daughters and grandson, Rev. Miller leaves to cherish a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. His God-given wisdom and generous heart for people extends too many others who called him Dad or Grandpa.

Rev. Miller recently said of aging: “I don’t think of age as a number.  I never have. I just wake up every day grateful.”  He fought a good fight, now he has finished the course.