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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE REVEREND O'NEAL MILLER OF SAINT STEPHEN AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of the Reverend O'Neal Miller of Saint Stephen on March 28, 2017, at the venerable age of nearly eighty-four; and
Whereas, born April 14, 1933, in Williamsburg County, the Reverend O'Neal Miller was the son of the late Reverend Huley Miller and the late Nettie Parson Miller Smith. He was a graduate of Williamsburg High School in Salters; and
Whereas, at an early age, O'Neal Miller joined St. Phillip African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. He soon accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He also became an active member of the Sunday School and the ACE League. Reverend Miller did not allow anything to stand in the way of his work for the Lord. He believed God's love for him would allow him to know everything he needed to know to promote God's kingdom; and
Whereas, in May 1954, Reverend Miller preached his first sermon and later that same year was admitted to the Palmetto Annual Conference. Four years later, Reverend Miller received his itinerant deacon degree and in 1956 added to it his itinerant elder degree; and
Whereas, Reverend Miller's forty-five-year journey as an AME pastor took him to various towns and cities in South Carolina. His first church was his father's last church. He began his ministry in the Lake City Circuit, where he served for five years. He then served in the Johnsonville Circuit (ten years), Great Present Circuit (seven years), Brown Chapel and Reeder Point AME churches (five years), St. John AME Church of Pawley's Island (eight years), St. Paul of Little River (five years), and Sweet Beulah AME Church (five years). After his retirement, he returned to Brown Chapel AME Church, where he served diligently as a part of the retired ministerial staff. He was an active pulpit minister until the time of his illness, thus completing a life of service toward the building up of God's kingdom; and
Whereas, on April 27, 1958, O'Neal wed his beloved Julia Alston Miller, God blessing their union with two delightful daughters, Melissa E. Miller and Gloria K. Pressley. The senior Millers were married for forty-nine years before Julia was called home to be with her Savior; and
Whereas, Reverend Miller believed strongly in personal involvement with his community, and his convictions led him to serve that community in several capacities. He was very instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement of Williamsburg County in the early 1960s, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was very active in many community organizations. He was a member of Square Deal Lodge #448 Free and Accepted Masons (Kingstree), former chaplain of the Lily White Chapter #349 OES, and former treasurer for the Young People's Benefit and Christian Association; and
Whereas, Reverend Miller leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Melissa E. Miller and Gloria K. Pressley, and a host of other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Reverend O'Neal Miller of Saint Stephen and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Melissa E. Miller for the family.
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