Frank Clifton Miller

Frank passed away on Saturday morning, September 10, 2011. Born in Harrisburg, Arkansas on February 7, 1934, he was the son of the late Ira and Juanita Bonham Clifton. Frank was injured in a tragic house fire at six months of age and his mother perished in that fire. His father (Granddaddy Clifton) placed him in the care of C.C and Effie Miller and he eventually took the last name Miller to honor the family who raised him. In that household he became brother to Lucille Carr and was also a brother to Alan, Ronnie, Ralph, Freddie and Carol.

Following graduating from High School, he entered the Army and served at Fort Smith in Arkansas. On March 31, 1956, he married Elizabeth Martin. She preceded him in death September 13, 2006. Frank and Betty lived in Baton Rouge for five years until moving to Memphis, Tennessee. They had two children, Fran and Frank Jr., and as job transfers for Frank occurred, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and then to Charlotte, North Carolina. He became a licensed pilot while living in Memphis. He learned the art of piloting by taking off and landing on Mud Island.

Frank loved his long career with Delta Airlines. He retired as a marketing director after 37 years of faithful service. In earlier years he enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and traveling with his family. During his career, he developed a long standing love for golf and in his retirement owned the Swing Shop, a golf repair shop in East Charlotte. He played golf as often as his health would allow and loved to report that he was still a “par or better golfer” and always had his scorecard ready for doubting eyes to examine. He counted his golfing buddies among his closest friends.

In his final months, Frank fought the battle of advanced dementia /Alzheimer’s. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Northeast Behavioral Care Unit, Preston House, and Hospice and Palliative Care Lake Norman for assuring his final days and hours were met with comfort and dignity. To each of you that provided his care, there are no words to describe the compassion and love you each demonstrated in his final weeks, days and hours. Bless you for what you did to make the journey one with less sorrow and pain.

Frank leaves to honor his memory, his children Fran (Ed) and their children, Lizzie and Eddie, his son Frank (Becky); brothers and sister; multiple cousins; and extended family and a host of friends.

The service to honor his life will be held 6:00 PM Friday, September 16th at McEwen Funeral Service - Derita Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Memorials be directed to Preston House, PO Box 837 Davidson, NC 28036 or Hospice and Palliative Care Lake Norman, 705 Griffith Street, Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036.

Arrangements by McEwen Funeral Service - Derita Chapel, 6300 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262 (704-596-3291). Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenderitachapel.com.