The community, friends and family members said farewell to a public servant who served as a city councilman for the City of Gray for 20 years last weekend.
Ronnie Miller graduated from Jones County High School and worked for J. P. Stevens Company in Milledgeville and a short time in South Carolina. A source said he also worked for J.M. Huber Corporation before going to work at Brown and Williamson, where he was employed until he retired.
Miller married Hilda Sue Glawson in 1966, and they celebrated 58 years together before his death March 24. The couple had one son, Brent.
Miller’s first try at politics in 1981 to become a Gray City councilman was successful. He actually raked in more votes than any of the other four candidates. In 1985, he ran for mayor and lost, but he was not deterred. He came back on council in 1989 and remained there until 1997, when he took a break from politics.
After sitting out for four years, Miller felt he was needed and qualified to run again in 2001.
However, it was not his competition for his council seat that would almost derail his comeback. The candidate became ill at work and underwent quadruple bypass surgery Oct. 25, just days before the Nov. 6, 2001, election.
The surgery went so well that Miller was on hand when the votes were counted. He defeated his opponent with a two-to-one margin and pledged to be available for those he represented.
The councilman did exactly that for two terms before deciding not to run for re-election in 2009.
Miller did not retire completely but raised Black Angus cattle with his son on Miller Farms.
Miller’s full obituary is on page A5 in this week’s edition.
