John Maurice Miller, Jr.

Miller, John Maurice, Jr., 93, of Richmond VA died Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Spring Arbor of Richmond. Born June 6, 1922 in Richmond VA, Miller was graduated from St. Christopher’s School in 1941. His years as a Washington and Lee undergraduate were interrupted by World War II. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, married Ada Mae Whayland, and trained to fly a B-17. During the war he was stationed at Bury St. Edmunds in England, and after the May 1945 German surrender he flew transport missions for the Army all over Western Europe and Northern Africa until March 1946. Miller returned to his wife and home and resumed his studies at Washington and Lee. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar Association and was graduated from Washington and Lee School of Law, in that order, in 1949. He was a member of Sigma Society at Washington and Lee. He moved to Richmond with his wife and daughters to begin his legal career at Southern States, after which he worked for Hunton and Williams. In the 1950s he joined the Law Department at Life Insurance Company of Virginia/Richmond Corp. Twenty five years later he retired as General Counsel and Senior Vice President. He served the insurance industry influencing legislation in the General Assembly in Richmond. He was active in the Association of Life Insurance Counsel, serving as president in 1975. Miller joined Mays & Valentine in 1978 and continued his law practice well past his 65th birthday. He and Ada Mae cherished their life together. They appreciated their opportunities to travel extensively in the United States, Europe, Turkey and India. They loved the traditional gatherings in Richmond each summer when five generations from both sides of the family shared stories old and new. Miller is predeceased by his parents John Maurice and Marguerite Watkins Miller, his wife Ada Mae Miller, his daughter Carter Miller Forrester, and his grandson Randolph Patteson Green. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Miller Green (John) of Centennial, CO and Nancy Watkins Miller of Richmond; his dear son-in-law Charles Tucker Forrester III and his friend Phyllis Mead of Alexandria VA; and his beloved grandchildren John Branch Green III of Littleton, CO, Wesley Forrester Dowdy (Josh) of Roanoke, VA, and Madeline Carter Forrester of Washington, D.C. His great grandchildren were a joy for the final eight years of his life. They are Charles Randolph and Lillian Marie Green, children of the late Randolph and his widow Amy Green Zimmerman (Troy) of Arlington, TX, and Shepherd Luke and Briar Douglas Dowdy, sons of Wesley and Josh. A memorial service celebrating Miller’s life will be Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, 1:00pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Ave. in Richmond, followed by a graveside service at Hollywood Cemetery.