Lonnie "Gene" Miller, Sr.

Lonnie Gene Miller, Sr. October 10, 1922 - April 24, 2016 Gene Miller, 93, a proud member of the Greatest Generation, and of the Farmington Community, passed away peacefully, on Sunday afternoon, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home of Winston Salem. Gene was born on October 10, 1922, the youngest child of Leonidas Lee and Elizabeth Davis Miller. He was devoted to God, his family, his farm, and the USA. He graduated from Farmington School and Lees-McRae College. He served his country, enlisting in the US Army February, 1943, and received an honorable discharge in September, 1945. He served in WWII in the European Theater with the 44th Infantry Division as a foot soldier and in the foxholes throughout Europe and Germany with the Rhineland/Central Europe Campaign. He was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, along with a marksmanship award (MM.30 Cal. Carbine M1). His job was manning a machine gun, and before the war was over, Gene was the lone machine gunner-meaning the last one left on the gun he started on. Throughout his service, he prayed daily to be allowed to return to his home and family. Before shipping overseas, he married Christina Marie Miller in December, 1943, and fondly referred to her as "his bride" throughout their 72 year marriage. After returning from WWII, he and Marie lived 2 years in California, where Gene worked in construction. Then he returned to Davie County and devoted his life to his family farm. He was a member of the Grange and overly active life-long member with Wesley Chapel Methodist serving as a trustee and every committee formed in the church. He was recognized as Outstanding Leader in Farming, Farm Family of the Year, Community ASC committee many years and in 1976 he was awarded membership in the National Geographic Society for promoting Research and Exploration. All newcomers to the Pino community remember Gene as being their personal welcoming committee. He was a true "good neighbor," always willing to give a helping hand, dispense good farming advice if needed, and share his Silver Queen corn. He continued driving his John Deere tractor, planting the farm corn crop through the 2014 corn season. He was Pino's unauthorized "National Treasure." Gene Miller is survived by his sons and their families. Lonnie Gene Jr. (Janice James), Michael Anthony (Nancy), and Patrick Carson (Kathy), all of Mocksville, NC. Grandchildren Kristin Hall (David), Carolina Beach; Karin Miller, Nashville, Tenn.; Suzanne Lakey (Bryan), Advance, NC; Matthew Miller (Laura), Winston Salem; 7 great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews. He always had a beloved dog, and his dear Blue mourns his death, along with a special sitter and friend, Karen Wall, who the family wishes to thank for his outstanding care. He is preceded in death by his wife, Christina Marie Miller, and all siblings: Eva Lee McMahan, John Miller, Vernon Miller, Margaret Conrad, Elizabeth Shore, and Luther, who died in infancy. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 1:30pm at Wesley Chapel Methodist Church with military honors provided by Yadkin VFW Post 10346. The family has requested memorials be made to the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church c/o Betty West 3532 Hwy 801 N, Mocksville, NC 27028. Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Miller family.