Frazier McConnell Miller Sr.

Bluefield, VA- Frazier Miller, Sr., 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of February 14, 2015, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va., after a short illness. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Frazier was born on December 27, 1937, to Bernice Frazier Miller and Harold Lee Miller, Sr., of Bluefield, W.Va. He was the second son to Bernice and Harold, and he remained close with his three brothers—Harold Lee, Marshall Stuart, and Randolph Manning (“Randy”) —throughout his life. Frazier attended West Virginia University and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After attending WVU, where he worked as a student reporter for the Daily Athenaeum, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., as a corporal and military police officer. After serving in the military, he went to work as a reporter for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph covering feature and breaking news, including John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in W.Va. and the president’s assassination. He married his wife of 54 years, Phyllis Webb Miller, also of Bluefield, W.Va., on December 31, 1960. Frazier and Phyllis had two children, Frazier McConnell (“Buddy”), Jr. and Barbara Manning Miller. The couple moved to Roanoke, Va., where Frazier was a reporter for the Roanoke Times. Frazier and Phyllis returned to Bluefield shortly thereafter, and Frazier joined Bluefield Supply Company where he became director of corporate marketing and advertising. Frazier frequently recounted his years with Bluefield Supply with great fondness from the friendships forged on the job and the travels it afforded, including trips to Tangier, Morocco; Madrid, Spain; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In 1977, Frazier incorporated Professional Advertising, Inc. (PAI). PAI specialized in advertising for and to the coal industry as well as economic development and tourism. From 1977 to 2001, the company achieved numerous successes, including several awards from the American Advertising Federation. PAI also bi-annually published the Bluefield Coal Show Directory, which spotlighted events and visitors surrounding the Bluefield Coal Show, and was a recipient of a first place publication award by the West Virginia Economic Development Council. PAI later merged with Marshall Miller and Associates, Inc., in 2001, to serve as the communications division of MM&A. Frazier was an active member of the community, serving as president of the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce in 1988. Along with his brothers, Harold Lee and Marshall, he initiated a fundraising campaign to reopen the YMCA, which became the Greater Bluefield Community Center. He remained a board member of the GBCC until recent years. He was a member of Bland Street United Methodist Church his entire life and served in many different capacities within the church. Frazier was an avid WVU football fan who attended almost all games. He was a Gold Coat member of the Mountaineer Athletic Club, and organized and served as dinner chairman of the MAC Coaches Caravan dinners for southern W.Va. for more than 40 years. Frazier is survived by his wife Phyllis, son Buddy, daughter Barbara and her husband Kenn Gaither, as well as his grandchildren, who were the light of his life in his later years. Grandchildren include Frazier McConnell (“Trey”) Miller, III; Lauren Grace (“Gracie”) Miller; Tyler Miller; Emmeline Hope (“Ellie”) Gaither; and soon-to-be twin Gaither granddaughters. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law Harold Lee and Ellen Miller and Marshall and Sharon Miller, nephews Lee Miller and Greg Miller, and niece Tracy Miller, as well as their families. In addition to his family, he is also survived by extended family and friends, including dear friends Richard and Jay Ammar. Frazier was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother, Randy. Viewing and funeral services will be held at Bland Street United Methodist Church in Bluefield, W.Va., on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. Open visitation will occur between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., also at Bland Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley where Trey Miller, Lee Miller, Greg Miller, Trent Miller, John Hash, and Richard Ammar will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to General Fund, Bland Street United Methodist Church, 2620 Bland Road, Bluefield, W.Va., 24701. Condolences may be sent to Mercer Funeral Home, 1231 West Cumberland Road, Bluefield, W.Va. or by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors and nurses who cared for Frazier in recent years. Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Frazier McConnell Miller, Sr.

Frazier McConnell Miller Sr.

December 27, 1937 - February 14, 2015