Miller, Lucille McDonald

Lucille McDonald Miller, 100, of the White Gate community departed her earthly life on June 30, 2006 at Riverview Nursing Home in Rich Creek, Va. and entered into God’s Heavenly Kingdom.

She had been a resident of Riverview Nursing Home since Feb. 8, 2005. Prior to entering Riverview she was a resident of Pulaski Retirement Community in Pulaski from July 8, 2000.

Lucille was born in White Gate, Va. on April 7, 1906, a daughter of the late William Tobias and Ossie Virginia Bane Miller. She was preceded in death by sisters, Mary M. Fanning, Frances M. Davis, Billie G. Miller, Eliza S. Miller and Reba M. Brand.; brothers, J. Robert Miller, Joseph S. Miller and William T. Miller, Jr.; nephews, Gerald B. Straley, William W. Fanning; and niece, Darlene F. Collins also preceded her in death.

A sister, Bane M. Straley of Riverview Nursing Home survives her. Also surviving are nieces, Virginia F. Affeldt and Cedella M. Pitzer; and nephews, James R. Davis, Jr., Donald C. Straley, Joe S. Miller, Jr., Donald A. Davis, Ernie Miller, Tom Miller, W. T. Miller, III and W. Mac Miller. A large number of great-nephews and greatnieces and great-greatnephews and great-greatnieces also survive.

Lucille was a member of New Dublin Presbyterian Church where she had transferred her membership in June 2003, following the closing of her home church, Walker’s Creek Presbyterian at White Gate, where she was a member for 83 years. During that time frame she was very active in the Women of the Church and was a pianist and a Sunday School teacher for many years.

She was a graduate of White Gate High School class of 1923 and was the oldest living alumnae of that school. Following her high school graduation, she enrolled at Radford State Normal School (now Radford University), attended for less than one year and then returned to her home in White Gate. From the late 1920’s through the 1930’s she raised hundreds and hundreds of turkeys on her parents’ farm and then shipped the dressed birds packed in ice in 50 gallon wooden barrels. These barrels of turkeys were hauled to the railroad depot at Dublin and shipped to markets in Baltimore and Philadelphia. This endeavor earned her the nickname of “Turkey” by her oldest nephew, William Fanning.

During this same time period she also did substitute teaching at the White Gate School in the lower grades. She was richly blessed with the special ability of being able to teach young children how to write longhand. Lucille had beautiful handwriting and many of her former pupils thanked her later in life for teaching them their writing skills.

She was an exceptionally devoted caretaker of her parents in their twilight years and also of her sisters, Billie, Eliza and Reba as they fought cancer and heart disease. Many of her nieces and nephews also received her loving care for extended periods of time while they were young.

Lucille was also known as a very talented artist. Although she never had any formal training she painted many beautiful oil paintings of Giles County scenery and also of several family members. She continued this hobby until she was well into her 80’s. In addition to her artistic abilities, Lucille was also a talented seamstress and did beautiful needlework.

She was the chauffeur for many years for her sisters, Eliza and Billie, who had chosen not to learn to drive a vehicle. Gardening, canning and cooking her harvest were some of her favorite pastimes.

A service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held at Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church, White Gate on Sunday, July 2, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Jean Brown officiating. Burial will follow at the Walker’s Creek Cemetery, Inc., White Gate. Lucille felt very strongly that her church building which was closed in 2003 should be preserved and maintained for the use of future generations. In lieu of flowers, she asked that memorial donations be made to Walker’s Creek Historical Presbyterian Church, Inc., 369 Walker’s Creek Valley Road, Pearisburg, Va. 24134. The family will receive friends at the church one half-hour prior to the service. A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, is in charge of arrangements.