Laurence H. Miller, Episcopal minister
The Rev. Laurence H. Miller, 82, of Millsboro passed away peacefully at home with his daughter by his side Tuesday, April 16, 2019. He was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minn., son of the late Henry and Josephine Miller.
Rev. Miller, affectionately known as Laurie or recently as Larry, was described by all whom he encountered as a kind, warm, loving, sweet, gentle, funny, caring, intelligent, giving man who found beauty and pleasure in the small things in life.
He was a 1954 graduate of Claymont High School in Claymont, a 1958 graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and received his master’s in German from Indiana University. He went on to attend Virginia Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1962. Rev. Miller made his lifelong career as an Episcopal minister, first at St. John the Baptist in Milton, then Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua, N.H., followed by St. David’s Episcopal Church in Salem, N.H., where he served the majority of his career, followed by St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Blue Bell, Pa. The last church he served was in his retirement as a part-time minister at St. Mary’s in Bridgeville.
Rev. Miller volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Millsboro Public Library. He enjoyed singing in the barbershop quartet and was active at the Long Neck CHEER Center. In his spare time, Rev. Miller was an avid reader and enjoyed nature, walks, dancing, playing guitar, bird watching, sailing, hiking, and mountain climbing. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and dear friend and pastor to many, who will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, Rev. Miller was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Walls Miller, in 2014.
He is survived by one son, Mark Miller and his wife Jo-Ann of Menifee, Calif.; one daughter, Julie Ann Wilson and her husband Gary Lee of Rehoboth Beach; six grandchildren: Chrysta Ann MacBlain and her husband John, Michael Miller and his wife Theresa, Tasha Feilzer and her husband Baron, Brittany Ann Wilson, Brendan Lee Wilson, and Leah Ann Bell and her husband Josh; five great-grandchildren: Gavin and Kylie MacBlain, Penelope Feilzer, and Michael and Madeline Miller; and one sister, Nancy York and her husband Bob of Joppatowne, Md.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 4, at Long Neck United Methodist Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. Interment will be private at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Miller's name to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 759, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Visit Rev. Miller's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
