Rev. Roy Lee Miller, Jr. (90) died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Born on February 5, 1932, in Knoxville, Tennessee, he served a life of Christian ministry for more than 60 years, from founding new missions to pastoring full congregations and serving as minister of education, as well as senior adult pastor. During his service to the Tennessee Baptist Convention, he led state and national level Sunday school associations through leadership training, as well as serving in positions of missions, both foreign and domestic. Through his passion, leadership, and knowledge of the Gospel, many people have been led to become not just followers of Christ but also committed disciples of the Gospel. He was also the author of the book A DEBTOR SERVANT: A Life of Service to Our Lord Jesus Christ, which chronicles his life and ministry.

Roy is a veteran of the US Navy where he proudly served on the USS Roanoke during the Korean Conflict. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman College (now University), and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His ministry began during seminary when he founded the First Baptist Mission Church in Pekin, Indiana in 1960. From there he held pastorates at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Madison, Indiana, Bethel Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, Fort Sanders Baptist in Knoxville, Mt. Carmel Baptist in Knoxville, and First Baptist of Pleasant Hill in Crossville. He was the Associate Pastor and Director of Education at Broadway Baptist in Knoxville, City View Baptist in Knoxville, and Lincoln Hills Baptist in Nashville. He also served as the Director of the Sevier County (TN) Baptist Association and Associate Director of Sunday School of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Brentwood, Tennessee. He served as Senior Adult Pastor of Manley Baptist Church in Morristown, Tennessee before being forced into retirement by a stroke in 2007. His last position was as a Sunday school teacher at Lantana Road Baptist Church in Crossville.

However, his greatest accomplishments include 62 years of marriage to the love of his life, Nina Ruth Bailey Miller, who preceded him in death in 2018, as well as being the father of four, grandfather of five, and great-grandfather of seven. While his ministry earned him eternal status as a child of God, his humor, love, and compassion endeared him to anyone who ever met him.

Also preceding him in death are his parents, Roy Lee Miller, Sr., and Gladys Elizabeth Riggs Miller; his brothers, Robert and Richard Miller; his sisters, Nettie Mae Miller, Hazel McPhetridge, Margaret Smith, Mary Ann Buchanan, and Linda Reese. He is survived by a sister, Brenda DeFord; children, Marian Holtcamp and husband Barry, Kimberly Afong and husband Scott, Timothy Miller and wife Virginia, and David Miller and wife Robin; grandchildren, Melissa Robinson, Meagan Holtcamp, Brittany Shassere and husband Benjamin, Shelby Burnett and husband Patrick, and Sebastian Miller; great-grandchildren, Sierra Stamper and husband Jake, Mikayla Robinson, Bryce Woods, Hadley Holtcamp, Owen Shassere, Aubriella Burnett, Addilyn Shassere, and Hudson Holtcamp.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Lantana Road Baptist Church with Bro. Scott Johnson officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 1:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will take place at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 9:00 AM (CST).