Douglas Franklin Miller

Douglas Franklin Miller, age 74, of Smyrna, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Summit Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miller was the son of the late Florence Scheffler Miller. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Biffle and her husband Craig of Lavergne, Tennessee; son, Scott Miller and his wife Kristina of Berwyn, Pennsylvania; former wife and best friend, Mary Miller of Smyrna, Tennessee; grandchildren, Jack, Joey, Jimmy and Brooke all of Berwyn, Pennsylvania; sisters, Patty Grady of Manchester, NJ and Betty Dieter and her husband Barry of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews, Eric Dieter and his wife Tonna of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Mike Dieter and his wife Mandy of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Stephen Grady and his wife Katie of Bayville, NJ; Rodney Grady and his wife Brenda of Bayville, NJ; and his dog and life companion, Buddy “Bud” of Smyrna, Tennessee. In addition to his mother, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Dale Miller of Cookeville, Tennessee and Wayne Miller of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Doug loved his children and grandchildren to the fullest and was an exceptional Dad. He taught the values of hard work, compassion and doing more for others than for yourself. He demonstrated all those things to his children through his own actions. Doug was Honorably Discharged from the United States Navy. He worked as an Operations Manager at ARA Vending Services for several years. In 1985, he began working in the paint plant at Nissan where he worked for many more years until he retired. He was a member of the Smyrna Lions Club and enjoyed selling (and giving away) chocolate pecans as part of his charity work with their organization.

Doug spent very little time and money on himself. Instead, it seems as though he awoke every morning wondering who he could help next. When needed by his daughter for a shoulder to cry on, a routine chat or a chore around the house, he was there for her immediately. It was routine for him to show up at the doors of friends, family and businesses with strawberries, steaks, jewelry, flashlights and other gadgets. He believed in doing the “right” thing, and he made so many friendships through his kindness. If he didn’t know how to handle something, he had the contact information of someone who did.

Doug took on many hobbies throughout the years after his retirement. He loved to go fishing, grew Bonsai trees, fixed computers, raised exotic birds and collected gemstones. Doug had strong opinions about most things and did not mince words. He loved his country, and frequently spoke about his political views.

After his divorce over 30 years ago, he and his former wife remained best friends until his passing. They talked to each other every day, went to dinner on a regular basis, handled chores for each other, spent all holidays together and cared for each other immensely.

Doug loved his dog Buddy and enjoyed taking him around town with him and to the lake. He and Buddy were true pals and protected each other.

His family and friends will miss him deeply and will never be able to repay him for the good he did for them and the life lessons he taught them. We are forever grateful to have known him. Our lives will never be the same.

Services to celebrate Mr. Miller will be at Three O’clock the afternoon of Friday, May 20, 2022 at Roselawn Funeral Home with placement with Military Honors to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends are cordially invited to visitation also on Friday, May 20, 2022 from One O’clock until the service begins at Three O’clock. We will “Live Stream” the service on our Facebook page for those unable to attend, Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens- Murfreesboro, TN. Please visit Mr. Miller’s page of our website, www.roselawnfh.com and leave a message for the family that will be included in their “Life Remembered Book”.