Charles Goode Miller

Princeton, WV---Charles Goode Miller of Glenwood Park Retirement Village in Princeton, formerly of Harrisonburg, VA, and Welch, WV, died at 2:30 Sunday morning, June 3, 2018, at Princeton Community Hospital. He was 98 years old. Born May 8, 1920, in Welch, he was the son of Frank Leonard Miller and Myrtle Goode Miller Stomberg. Charlie, as he preferred to be called, was a 1936 graduate of Elkhorn High School in Switchback, WV. He went to Concord State Teachers College (Concord University) in Athens, WV, on a music scholarship. He was blessed with abilities to play the piano, violin, and clarinet, but his greatest musical talent was in his beautiful tenor voice, which he shared throughout his life in church choirs and singing at weddings, funerals, and other community functions. Charlie received his AB degree from Concord in 1940 and began his teaching career at Iaeger High School in Iaeger, WV. In 1948 he earned his MS degree from WVU and also did postgraduate studies at Marshall College (Marshall University). While at Concord he was a member of Tri Delta Tau, Chi Beta Phi, and Blue Key.

In October, 1941, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy. He was commissioned on October 28, 1942. On November 9, 1942, he married the love of his life, Nell Lucille Birkelbach, of Iaeger, WV. Nell was able to go with him to each base in the States where he was sent during active duty in World War II. He served as a Naval Aviator, completing his tour with the designation of Patrol Plane Commander. He was placed on the retired list in 1963 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 22 years of reserve service.

After serving in World War II Charlie and Nell returned to West Virginia and settled in Welch, where they raised their two daughters, Pamela Ann and Martha Jo. Charlie was employed by the McDowell County Board of Education for 35 years as teacher of physics and chemistry (Welch High School), school board photographer, supervisor of the audio-visual department, and administrator over school board finances during his last years of service. While administrator he served a term as president of the West Virginia Association of School Business Officials. During his years in Welch he participated in numerous civic, fraternal, and church activities, among them Rotary, Eastern Star, Masons, and the Methodist Church. Charlie served as chancel choir director at the church for 13 years.

In 1975 Charlie retired from the McDowell County School Board, and he and Nell relocated to Rockingham County, VA, in the Layman’s Trestle area. Charlie was employed in the office of the Board of Supervisors of Rockingham County for 7 years, retiring in 1982. After coming to Rockingham County he attended Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. He was a member of Keezletown Ruritan Club for 23 years, serving terms as Secretary and Treasurer before moving to Harrisonburg in 1996. There he was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, a member of the Brotherhood Bible Class, and a choir member for 20 years. He performed volunteer work as a member of the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 13 years and for the American Red Cross. He was a regular blood donor all of his adult life, making his last donation on his 90th birthday. Charlie was one of only three persons made honorary members of the former Rockingham County Extension Homemakers. He was a 50-year Mason and life member of NEA, American Legion, VFW, and Military Officers of America Association. He and Nell loved to travel, taking at least 16 major trips to various parts of the world in their retirement. They especially enjoyed cruises.

Charlie and Nell were very passionate about Christmas. While in Welch, as well as in Harrisonburg, they decorated their home beautifully each Christmas and invited friends and family to come visit and enjoy the delicious Christmas cookies and candies Nell made to share with others. They had a collection of over 50 nativity sets from all over the world. Many of their Christmas ornaments and decorations were hand-made by Charlie and Nell. At Asbury UMC Charlie was affectionately called “Mr. Christmas”. Another wonderful God-given talent of Charlie’s was carpentry and wood carving. He was a master! Over the years he carved dozens of Santa Clauses, 20 large eagles that grace the mantles of the homes of friends and family, and family crests for many individuals, and the Rockingham County crest. He also made wooden stables for the nativity sets of family and friends. Some of his wood carvings earned him blue ribbons in the Rockingham County Fair. He became intrigued with the jigsaw and each Christmas chose a new pattern for that year’s “Charlie’s Angel”. Daughters Pam and Martha knew their daddy to be a problem-solver, a “fixer”. He could fix just about anything that was broken. He was a very intelligent man and an avid reader. However, his greatest attributes were spoken by himself in a thank-you speech at a dinner in his honor in 2002 when he retired from the choir at Asbury UMC at the age of 82. He said of his life: his first priority was God, his second was his family, and third were his friends. He had a very strong faith in God and he served his family, his church, and others as a reflection of this faith. He was always willing to use his talents and abilities to help others. Charlie also enjoyed photography, Sudoku puzzles, and had an avid love for cats. He spent 70 wonderful years of life with Nell. In January, 2014, six months after Nell’s passing, Charlie moved to Glenwood Park Retirement Village to be near daughter Pam, where he remained until his death.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nell, and son-in-law Robert (Bob) Swander. He is survived by daughter Pam and husband Roger Rose of Bluefield, VA, daughter Martha Swander and partner David Dunlop of Todd, NC, grandson James Bryan England and wife Allison of Plano, TX, great-grandson Elliott England of Plano, TX, and good friend and former son-in-law James William England of Bluefield, VA. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was the oldest surviving member of both the Miller and Goode families.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Charlie Miller will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg, VA. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Robert E. Talbott and Rev. Dr. E. Thomas Murphy, Jr. A reception will follow the service in The Gathering Place in the church. After the service and reception Charlie’s urn will be placed beside that of his beloved wife Nell in the mausoleum at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens near Harrisonburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 205 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Arrangements for Charlie Miller are being handled by Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery of Princeton, WV.