Dr. Mercer Miller

r. Mercer B. Miller, age 82, a resident of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2011. Dr. Miller was born on March 20, 1929, in Jackson, MS. After graduating from Crystal Springs High School in 1947, he went to Mississippi State University and received his B.S. degree in 1951. He completed his M.A. degree in 1956 and his Ed.D. in 1963 both at the University of Southern Mississippi. Growing up in central Mississippi, Dr. Miller was a Boy Scout, and he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He began his teaching career in 1953 as a teacher and coach in the McComb Public Schools. He also worked as a teacher, coach, and elementary principal in the Hazelhurst Public Schools, as the principal of Lumberton High School, and as the principal of Gulfport High School. From 1966-1974 he served as the assistant superintendent of the Gulfport Public Schools. In 1974 Dr. Miller was appointed the superintendent of the Gulfport Public Schools, and he served in that capacity until his retirement in 1983. In 1984 Dr. Miller began working as a field representative for then Congressman Trent Lott. He worked as a staff assistant in Washington, D.C., and as a field representative for Senator Lott until he retired a second time in 1995. Dr. Miller served in the United States Army from 1951-1953, in the Mississippi Army National Guard from 1955-1964, and the Mississippi Air National Guard from 1964-1976. He retired from military service in 1976 with the rank of major. Dr. Miller was active in both professional and civic organizations. He belonged to the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals, the Mississippi Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Secondary Commission for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Finance Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Jurisdiction Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Task Force for Educational Excellence in Mississippi. Dr. Miller served on the Board of Directors of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce and the United Fund of Harrison County. He was a member of the Gulfport Noon Lions Club, the executive committee of the Mississippi Research and Development Center, and the Mississippi Marine Conservation Commission. Dr. Miller was member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gulfport for over fifty years. He served as a teacher and superintendent of the Pioneer Sunday School Department and was a member of the Men's Bible Class. Dr. Miller was preceded in death by his mother, Annie England Miller and his father, Mercer Bowden Miller, Sr. Dr. Miller leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of twenty-nine years, Dianne; son, Robert Bowden "Bo" Miller and his wife Stacey of Atlanta; son, Dr. John Hampton Miller and his wife Carolyn of Gulfport; and grandson, John Michael Miller of Gulfport. He is also survived by his step-mother, Edna Miller, a brother, Vincent Miller and a sister, Beverly Miller White. He was extremely proud of his grandson, John Michael, and their shared love of the game of golf. He also leaves many dear friends. Dr. Miller had many hobbies. Traveling was one of his favorites. He and his wife, Dianne made thirty-one international trips during their years together. A voracious reader, Dr. Miller was a scholar of history, especially the history of World Was II. He spend many hours in his workshop creating treasured pieces of wood work for Dianne, family and friends. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th St. Gulfport, MS. There will be a private graveside service for the family following the visitation. The family prefers memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 10885 O'Neal Road, Gulfport, MS. 39503 or one's favorite charity. View and sign the register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.