Obituaries from Gazette.net, November 1997: Montgomery Co., MD Permission has generously been granted by Gazette.net to include these obituaries in the MDGenWeb Archives. This publication is available on-line at http://www.gazette.net. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** *****Nov. 5, 1997***** Wesley D. Pointer Wesley Donald Pointer, 63, of Laytonsville, died Monday, Oct. 27, at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. He was the husband of Anna Pointer. Born Sept. 4, 1934, at Petersburg, Va., he was a son of the late George Wesley and Violet Bartholomew Pointer. Mr. Pointer graduated from North Western High School in Hyattsville, and earned his bachelor and master's degrees in criminology from the University of Maryland. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1953 to 1956. He retired from the State of Maryland as deputy secretary for correctional services, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. He was a member of Flower Hill Church of the Brethren, Gaithersburg. Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Warren Randall Pointer of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jon Wesley Pointer of Damascus; and a sister, Diana Bush of Boyds. The family received friends on Oct. 30 at the Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville. Memorial services were held on Oct. 31 at Flower Hill Church of the Brethren. Burial was private. Memorial contributions in Mr. Pointer's name may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to Flower Hill Church of the Brethren. Willing W. Walker Willing W. Walker, 87, formerly of Mount Airy, died Thursday, Oct. 30, at Fahrney-Keedy Home, Boonsboro, where he had been a resident. He was the husband of the late Mary D. Walker. Born July 9, 1910, at Mount Airy, he was a son of the late William A. and Laura A. Day Walker. Mr. Walker was a retired farmer. He was a former member of the Browningsville Cornet Band and a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Mount Airy. Survivors include a brother, Earnest Walker of Madison, Wis.; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family received friends on Nov. 2 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, where funeral services were held on Nov. 3. Burial was in Bethesda Methodist Cemetery, Browningsville. Maureen E. Gum Maureen E. Gum, 58, of Gaithersburg, died Saturday, Nov. 1, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville. She was the wife of James F. Gum. Born Sept. 9, 1939, at London, England, she was a daughter of the late George and Catherine McPherson. Mrs. Gum was a homemaker and a member and officer of VFW Auxiliary, Gaithersburg. She was a member of the Roman Catholic church. Surviving besides her husband are two daughters, Patricia Ann Gum of Fairfield, Pa., and Catherine Knight of Damascus; three grandchildren; and one sister, Connie Biddis of Australia. The family received friends on Nov. 4 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, where funeral services were held the same day, with the Rev. Peter Sweeney, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Damascus, officiating. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Wilbur B. Robinson Wilbur B. Robinson, 83, of Gaithersburg, died Saturday, Nov. 1, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville. He was the husband of the late Magdalen Elizabeth Robinson. Born Oct. 9, 1914, in Washington, D.C., he was a son of the late Oscar B. and Katherine Waple Robinson. He was a retired lumber salesman. Survivors include four children, Kathleen D, Lowing and Donald Robinson, both of Gaithersburg, Bernard W. Robinson of Adamstown and Stephen R. Robinson of Atlantic City, N.J.; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family received friends on Nov. 4 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. A Mass of Christian Burial is being offered at 9 a.m. today at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 9250 Damascus Road, with the Rev. Peter Sweeney officiating. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring. Sarah A. Romano Sarah A. Romano, 96, formerly of Washington, D.C. and Damascus, died Saturday, Nov. 1, at Homewood Retirement Center, Frederick. She was the wife of the late Pasquale J. Romano. Born June 20, 1901, at Norfolk, Va., she was a daughter of the late Michael and Teresa Mancuso. She worked for more than 25 years as a seamstress at Frank R. Jolloff's Ladies store in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Romano was a member of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality in Washington for 28 years. She then became a member of Our Lady of Grace, Leisure World, Silver Spring, and a member of the Catholic Daughters, from which she transferred to CDA in Damascus at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Court St. Paul 2274. Survivors include a daughter, Theresa M. Ridgley of Frederick; a son, Paul Romano of Los Angeles, Calif.; a sister, Frances Swecker of Falls Church, Va.; two brothers, Vincent Mancuso of Chicago, Ill., and Anthony Mancuso of Canoga, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren. Mrs. Romano was predeceased by a daughter, Josephine T. Dore, and a sister, Josephine Amanto. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, at the Molesworth Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus. The Catholic Daughters of America will recite a rosary at 4 p.m. and Christian Wake services will begin at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. on Nov. 6 at the funeral home. with the Rev. Peter Sweeney, St. Paul's Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Memorial contributions may be made to the CHEO, Homewood Retirement Center, 31, W. Patrick Street, Frederick, Md. 21701, or to St. Paul's building fund, 9240 Damascus Road, Damascus, Md. 20872. Jeanette Swan Jeanette Lowman Swan, 28, of Germantown, formerly of Spencer, NC, died Oct. 28 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney after a sudden illness. She was the wife of Mark Earl Swan. Born Nov. 24, 1968 in Rowan County, NC, she was the daughter of Judith Raper Main and Bruce Wayne Lowman. Mrs. Swan was a graduate of South Rowan High School and also attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She was a homemaker and mother of two. Mrs. Swan attended Faith United Methodist Church in Rockville. Surviving besides her husband and parents are a son, Zachary Michael; a daughter, Amber Dawn; brother Jody Wayne Lowman of Linwood, NC; sister Rachelle Ruth Lowman of Charlotte, NC; grandparents H.H. and Rachel Raper of Spencer, NC. The family received friends Oct. 31 at Summersett Funeral Home in Spencer, NC. The funeral took place on Nov. 1 at Oakdale Baptist Church, followed by burial in the church cemetery. Phyllis J. Orelli Phyllis J. Orelli, 78, of Rockville died Nov. 1 at Mediplex of Gaithersburg. She was born in Connellsville, Pa., on April 3, 1919, to the late Amato and Christina Natale. Mr. Orelli was a homemaker and the mother of Angelo Orelli of Mt. Airy, the mother-in-law of Cindy Orelli and the grandmother of Jennie and Ann Orelli. She is also survived by her sister, Rita Benson of Connellsville; a brother, Anthony Natale of Warrenton, Va.; and dear friends, Anne Lake, Carma Engle and Kenneth Miller, all of Rockville. Friends were received on Tuesday at Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home, W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Further services and interment will be held in Connellsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, Md. 20902, or the Montgomery Hospice Society, 1450 Research Blvd., Suite 310, Rockville, Md. 20850. Milford W. Howard Milford W. Howard, 72, of Silver Spring, died Oct. 25 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. He was the husband of Bertha C. Howard. Born Dec. 16, 1924, in Maryland, he was a son of the late Marvie and Florence Shipley Howard. Mr. Howard graduated from Clarksville High School and had served in the army in World War II. He was of the Methodist faith and was a farmer. He also was a general contractor and owner of Howard Construction Co. in Silver Spring. Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Larry M. Howard, Joyce L. Howard and Wayne Howard, all of Silver Spring, and Steven M. Howard of New Market, Md.; two sisters, Frances Jacobs of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Lucille Howard of South Carolina; one brother, Russell Howard of Martinsburg; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services were held at Colesville United Methodist Church. Interment was at Parklawn Cemetery, Rockville. Arrangements were handled by Barber Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. *****Nov. 19, 1997***** John M. Ausherman John Melvin Ausherman, 83, of Mount Airy, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, at College View Nursing Home, Frederick. He was the husband of Pauline M. Ausherman. Born April 23, 1914, at Burkittsville, he was a son of the late Tillman and Bessie May Suman Ausherman. Surviving besides his wife are six children, Melvin Richard Ausherman of Mount Airy, Sylvia M. Dickensheets of Frederick, Nancy L. Martini of St. Petersburg, Fla., Miriam Hall of Hot Springs, Ark., Betty J. Butler of Frederick and Eva L. Chaney of Mount Airy; a sister, Pauline Kimmel of Frederick; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was no funeral home visitation. Graveside services were held on Nov. 17 at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. The Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, was in charge of arrangements. Albert L. Gregg Sr. Albert L. Gregg Sr., 90, of Woodbine, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, at home. He was the husband of Mary G. Gregg. Born May 30, 1907, in Maryland, he was a son of the late George Edgar and Sadie Alberta Cornwell Gregg. Surviving besides his wife are three children, Albert L. Gregg Jr. of Columbia, Gladys Gregg of Silver Spring and Alberta E. Ferguson of West Friendship; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Belle Stevens of Woodbine; and a brother, Clarence Gregg of Merritt Island, Fla. The family received friends on Nov. 14 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, where funeral services were held on Nov. 15. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mount Airy. W. Douglas Carlin W. Douglas Carlin, 65, of Boyds, died Thursday, Nov. 13. He was the husband of Eleanor M. Carlin. Born May 15, 1932, at Boyds, he was a son of the late William Melvin and Virgie Beall Carlin. Mr. Carlin was the president and owner of Bethesda Auto Parts, which he operated with his son. He was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Shrine, Barnesville. Surviving besides his wife are a son, Thomas Glenn Carlin of Urbana; a sister, Jean Easter of Miami, Fla.; and two brothers, Harold Carlin of Fairfax, Va. and H. Leon Carlin of Boyds. Mr. Carlin was predeceased by a son, Stephen Lee Carlin. The family received friends on Nov. 16 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Nov. 17 at St. Mary's Catholic Shrine, Barnesville, with the Rev. George B. Reid officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Carlin's name may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Shrine, P.O. Box 67, Barnesville, Md. 20838, or to Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Inc., Carlin Memorial Fund, 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, Md. 20894. Vergie B. Peacock Vergie B. Peacock, 82, of Damascus, died Saturday. Nov. 15, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville. She was the wife of the late James P. Peacock Jr. Born Oct. 25, 1915, at Altha, Fla., she was a daughter of the late Charles J. and Martha Jane Hanna Bailey. She was a retired nurse and a member of First Baptist Church, Blountstown, Fla. Survivors include five children, James P. Peacock III of McKendree, Bob Peacock of Damascus, Mary Lou Taylor of Blountstown, Fla., Jane Hassel of Tallahassee, Fla., and David E. Peacock of Westminster; four brothers, Roy Bailey of Sarasota, Fla., Paul Bailey of Richmond, Va., Samuel Bailey of California and Rudolph Bailey of Chattahoochee, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. The Adams Funeral Home, Blountstown, is in charge of funeral services and burial, which will take place on Nov. 20. Local arrangements are by the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. John E. Monroe Sr. John E. Monroe Sr., 60, of Rockville died Nov. 7 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. Born Oct. 3, 1937, in Maryland, he was a son of the late Eugene E. and Sadie Frazier Monroe. He was the husband of Dixie L. Monroe. Mr. Monroe was a heavy equipment operator and had retired from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation after 37 years of service. He had attended Gaithersburg High School and was a former member of the Rockville Moose Lodge. His hobbies were hunting and fishing and he was a Washington Redskins fan. In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children, John Edward Monroe Jr. of Germantown, Upton Eugene Monroe of Rockville, Debra Jane Kidwell of Germantown, John Douglass Monroe of Brunswick, Frankie Monroe of Frederick and Joy Collins of Tennessee; three stepchildren, Charity Savage of Frederick, Hope Williams of Tennessee and Faith Monroe of Germantown; one sister, Frances Hayes of Gaithersburg; two brothers, Marshall Eugene Monroe Sr. of Gaithersburg and Donald Byrd Monroe Sr. of Mt. Airy; and numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Ethel Coleman. Visitation was held Nov. 10 at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Funeral services were held Nov. 11 at the funeral home. Interment was at Providence Cemetery in Kemptown. Dorothy J. Shackelford Dorothy J. Shackelford, 68, of Silver Spring died Nov. 10 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. Born June 21, 1929, in Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Oscar Thomas and Eula Rose Karcher Smith. She was the wife of Robert L. Shackelford. Mrs. Shackelford attended Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., in the field of nursing. She was a member of Ashton Baptist Church, and her hobbies were ceramics and reading. She was devoted to her family and church work. Besides her husband ,she is survived by four children, Lynn Susan Parrish of Middletown, Gail Ann Hess of Boyds, Lee Thomas Shackelford of Annapolis and Jeanne Marie Zierdt of Arnold, Md.; and nine grandchildren. Visitation was held Nov. 12 at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville. Funeral services were held Nov. 14 at Ashton Baptist Church, 17826 New Hampshire Ave. Interment was in Parklawn Cemetery, Rockville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Arthritis Foundation 4455 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C., 20008. Benjamin "Bernie" Lewis , Benjamin "Bernie" Lewis, 61, of Burtonsville, died Nov. 12, 1997 at South Baptist Hospital, Plant City, Fla. He was an electronic technician and a Burtonsville resident for 11 years. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 1504, Laurel, and the Sons of the American Legion, Laurel. Born November 25, 1935, in Braddock, Pa., he was the son of Edith M. Pownall and the late Benjamin Lewis. He is survived by his wife, Elaine A. Kuhar-Lewis; 12 children, one sister, three brothers and 14 grandchildren, A service was held Nov. 17 at Fleck Funeral Home, Laurel. Interment followed at Union Cemetery, Burtonsville. Herbert J. Miller Sr. Herbert J. Miller Sr. of Potomac, president and CEO of Social Scientific Systems in Bethesda, died Nov. 7 at the University Hospital of Arkansas in Little Rock of complications after a bone-marrow transplant. A 38-year resident of the Washington, D.C. area, Miller was born in Camden, S.C. and graduated from Clark College in 1956 and from Howard University in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. After several positions in information systems development and microsimulation modeling, he was a co- founder, director, executive vice president, and president of the Hendrickson Corporation from 1969 to 1978. In 1978, Miller founded Social & Scientific Systems, a firm providing computer programming and research support to the National Institutes of Health and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. Miller and the firm were recently recognized in Black Enterprise magazine's B.E. Industrial/Service 100. The firm was awarded the HHS Minority Small Business of the Year Award in 1987. In 1991, he received an honorary doctorate from Clark Atlanta University for his leadership in the cause of minority education, his success as a small business owner and his contributions to the university. Other awards include the Outstanding Business Development Award from the Montgomery County NAACP, 1990; the 1991 Outstanding Undergraduate Alumnus award from Clark Atlanta University's School of Business; a Special Award for Support to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter, 1992; the Community Service Award for Public Service in Montgomery County from the Montgomery County, Maryland, Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1992; the Outstanding Community Service Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Omega Omega Chapter, 1992; the Outstanding Service Award from the Washington Inter- Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund in 1985; and the 1987 Presidential Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. In 1995, he received a certificate of appreciation from the Montgomery County Office of Economic Development for dedicated service in helping new business entrepreneurs succeed through the county's Small, Minority, Female and Disabled- Owned Business Mentorship Program. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Ballard Miller; two sons, Herbert J. (Jerry) Miller Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Upper Marlboro and Rick Miller of Gaithersburg; two grandchildren LaKendra Brown and Ashley Miller; his mother Blanche Miller of South Carolina; two sisters Willie Mae Walker of Connecticut and Thelma Miller Johnson of Connecticut; his mother-in-law Louise Ballard of Atlanta; a sister-in-law Psalm Johnson of Connecticut; and two brothers-in-law Robert Ballard of North Carolina and C. Anthony Ballard of Atlanta. Services were held at Woodside United Methodist Church, 8900 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. Internment is at Potomac Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The Herbert J. Miller Memorial Fund, Clark Atlanta University, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. *****Nov. 26, 1997***** Ruth A. Mills Ruth A. Mills, 53, of Monrovia, died Sunday, Nov. 10, at home. She was the wife of Edward Otis Mills. Born Dec. 11, 1943, at Winchester, Va., she was a daughter of the late Russell J. and Gladys Foltz Whittington. Mrs. Mills was a full-time mother and wife. After raising her family she returned to Frederick Community College to further her education. She was a dean's list student and at the time of her death was pursuing education in human sciences. She completed training as a Frederick County Hospice volunteer in 1989 and was a member of the Mt. Airy Full Gospel Church. Surviving besides her husband are five children, Tamyra Shafer of Keedysville, June Hoffman of Frederick, Edward Mills III of Mount Airy, Angela Mills of Libertytown and Dawn Mills of Monrovia; seven grandchildren; her stepmother, Bertha Eader Whittington of Monrovia; four sisters, Betty Fertig of Moorefield, W.Va., Jean Puffenberger and Joyce Ruddle, both of Fort Sybert, W. Va., and Beverly Eader of Kensington; and three stepsisters, Nancy McFadden of Rockville, Kathy Anderson of Shenandoah, Va., and Frances Lowe of Silver Spring. The family received friends Nov. 19 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. Funeral services were held Nov. 20 at Mount Airy Full Gospel Church. Burial was in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Mills' name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Frederick County unit, 1011 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, Md. 21701. Claudia J. Morningstar Claudia Jamison Morningstar, 88, of Burtonsville, died Monday, Nov. 17, at Montgomery General Hospital, Olney. She was the wife of the late Hazel Morningstar. Born March 20, 1909, in Maryland, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Exie Purdum Jamison. She was a longtime member of Bethesda United Methodist Church, Browningsville. Survivors include two sons, Eugene Morningstar of Rockville and James R. Morningstar of Poolesville; two daughters, Mae Spong of West Virginia and Mary E. Blackburn of Laurel; a sister, Edith Jamison of Hyattstown; two brothers, Purdum Jamison of Hyattstown and Leo Jamison of Frederick; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Morningstar was predeceased by a daughter, Doris A. Steele. The family received friends Nov. 18 at the Hilton Funeral Home, Barnesville, where funeral services were held on Nov. 19. Burial was in Bethesda Methodist Cemetery, Browningsville. Catherine G. Clagett Catherine G. Clagett, 81, of Snohomish, Wash., formerly of Germantown, died Thursday, Nov. 20, at Everett, Wash. She was the wife of the late Albert W. Clagett Jr. Born July 29, 1916, at Germantown, she was a daughter of the late Joseph G. and Ivy Catherine King Howes. She was a member of Neelsville Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a son, James A. Clagett of Snohomish; four grandchildren; and a brother, Dorsey Howes of Germantown. The family received friends on Nov. 24 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, where funeral services were held on Nov. 25. Burial was in Forest Oak Cemetery, Gaithersburg. Katherine L. Ide Katherine Louise Ide, 73, of Derwood, died Nov. 22 at her home. Mrs. Ide was born in Worcester, Mass. She was past worthy matron three times of the Pentalpha Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star; past mother advisor of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls; and a member of Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, Philip Ide; sons, Bruce Ide and Ralph Ide, both of Florida; mother Jessie Beatrice Mackay of Illinois; sister, Janet Commings of Illinois; brother, Gerald Mackay of Florida; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, 610 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Burial at Maryland Veterans Cemetery will be private. DeVol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg is handling the arrangements. Memorial donations can be made to the Pentalpha Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star, Masonic Food Baskets, c/o Phyllis Johnston, 22821 Wildcat Road, Gaithersburg, Md. 20882. Herbert J. Miller Sr. Herbert J. Miller Sr. of Potomac, president and CEO of Social Scientific Systems in Bethesda, died Nov. 7 at the University Hospital of Arkansas in Little Rock of complications after a bone-marrow transplant. A 38-year resident of the Washington, D.C. area, Miller was born in Camden, S.C. and graduated from Clark College in 1956 and from Howard University in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. After several positions in information systems development and microsimulation modeling, he was a co- founder, director, executive vice president, and president of the Hendrickson Corporation from 1969 to 1978. In 1978, Miller founded Social & Scientific Systems, a firm providing computer programming and research support to the National Institutes of Health and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. Miller and the firm were recently recognized in Black Enterprise magazine's B.E. Industrial/Service 100. The firm was awarded the HHS Minority Small Business of the Year Award in 1987. In 1991, he received an honorary doctorate from Clark Atlanta University for his leadership in the cause of minority education, his success as a small business owner and his contributions to the university. Other awards include the Outstanding Business Development Award from the Montgomery County NAACP, 1990; the 1991 Outstanding Undergraduate Alumnus award from Clark Atlanta University's School of Business; a Special Award for Support to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter, 1992; the Community Service Award for Public Service in Montgomery County from the Montgomery County, Maryland, Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1992; the Outstanding Community Service Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Omega Omega Chapter, 1992; the Outstanding Service Award from the Washington Inter- Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund in 1985; and the 1987 Presidential Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Ballard Miller; two sons, Herbert J. (Jerry) Miller Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Upper Marlboro and Rick Miller of Gaithersburg; two grandchildren LaKendra Brown and Ashley Miller; his mother Blanche Miller of South Carolina; two sisters Willie Mae Walker of Connecticut and Thelma Miller Johnson of Connecticut; his mother-in-law Louise Ballard of Atlanta; a sister-in-law Psalm Johnson of Connecticut; and two brothers-in-law Robert Ballard of North Carolina and C. Anthony Ballard of Atlanta. Services were held at Woodside United Methodist Church, 8900 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. Internment is at Potomac Methodist Church.