Dr. Ernest E. Miller passed away peacefully on May 10, 2019. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake View, S.C. He was born in Lake View, S.C., on August 2, 1925 and was the youngest son of Elias Johnson Miller and Delana Horne Miller. Dr. Miller served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 as Yeoman 1st Class and received an honorable discharge in 1946.
He graduated from Lake View High School and attended Appalachian State Teacher’s College in Boone, N.C., receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Science from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and earned his Doctorate of Education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. His academic honors included Delta Pi Epsilon, Pi Omega Pi, and Phi Delta Kappa. Dr. Miller enjoyed a dedicated and richly fulfilling life in the field of education. He taught on both high school and college levels; however,he made Florida his home and taught at both Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. He eventually made Central Florida his choice for a long and distinguished career as a Professor of Business Vocational Education. During his 22 years of service at Central Florida, he was the recipient of many awards for his innovative ideas and achievements in the educational field. He was chosen as the recipient of the Lawton Distinguished Professor Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a professor by his colleagues. He was also named Teacher Educator of the Year and served as President of Florida’s Vocational Association. He was a member of the American Vocational Association, National Association of Business Teachers, Southern Business Association, Florida Business Association, and Delta Pi Epsilon. He is also credited with authoring and co-authoring various publications concerning the numerous aspects of Business Education. Dr. Miller was a member of the Statewide Advisory Board of Business Education and served as a consultant for numerous schools in Florida. He also served as chairman for the University Business Teacher Educators of Florida, along with establishing and being editor of the Journal of Florida Business Educators Association. He took great pride in serving as a visiting professor at Robert Norris University, Jacksonville University, Winthrop College, and Alabama State University. He held positions at IBM in office management and was a consultant for McGraw-Hill speaking at various conferences across the Southeast. He was well known among his colleagues for his tireless work and dedication on behalf of Central Florida University and his love for teaching. He found great joy in guiding his students and seeing their accomplishments. Dr. Miller made lifelong friendships with many of his students.
Dr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Elias Johnson Miller and Delana Horne Miller; brothers, Wade Miller and Lide Miller; and sisters, Rosalee Goodnight, Blondell Flowers, Eunice Anderson, and Louise Miller. Surviving are his numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.
Visitation was held at First Baptist Church of Lake View Monday May 13th, 2019, from 1-2 p.m. Funeral service followed at 2 p.m. with burial to follow at Lake View Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Lake View, P.O. Box 397, Lake View, SC 29563.
