David Grey Miller, age 67 of Zionville, NC made the peaceful transition to his Heavenly home on April 8, 2024, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

David was born on November 17, 1956, to Earl and Lucille Wilson Miller of Zionville, NC. David was brought up, raised his family, and started a business in his beautiful community of Zionville.  David loved working.  He often said running heavy equipment was his golf.  He also enjoyed his classic cars and trucks and going to car shows.  He enjoyed going to Sunset Beach with Terri and spending all his spare time with his family and enjoyed sunsets and sharing pictures of them on Facebook.

David loved his family with a devotion that is unmatched.  Anyone who talked to David for any amount of time knew that he loved his family immensely.  A family friend recalled a conversation with David as a young man where he declared that all he wanted was to build a wonderful life for his children and wife.  He not only built something wonderful, but truly created a legacy.  His children certainly knew what the love of a true father should feel like.  There was no better example of what a loving person or parent should be.

When he became a papaw, a new favorite role was discovered.  He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren so deeply and devotedly.
As strong as the love he shared was, the loss is almost unbearable.  The children and grandchildren vow to honor him by trying to be half the person their dad and Papaw was.

David and Terri met in 1976, when they were 18 and 19 years old.  They were attached at the hip immediately.  Terri was definitely the light and love of his life.  He was most happy when he was making Terri happy.  Not many couples can work together 24/7 and live together, but they did so with joy and happiness.

Even before they were married, they decided to grow a business together.  Terri's dad taught David how to do bodywork and they built a body shop.  David also continued with his dad's business that sold seed and fertilizer.  That is how David Miller Body Shop came to be.  The business continued to change and grow until becoming Miller's Supply, a staple in the community.  With family that chose to work side by side with David and Terri, the business thrived, and it serves the community.

David had a heart for and knew the importance of serving his community.  He helped build the Zionville Fire Department and served as chief for 13 years.  He was a member of the Zionville first responders which he also served for many years.  He served on committees for building the new Mabel School, Blue Ridge Mac committee, and the Ruritan Club, where he loved to help with the fish fry.  He loved to dress as Santa and deliver treat bags to neighborhood children and continued the tradition through these past two holidays dressing as Santa at Mabel School. Serving was engrained in who David was, and he used his business as a way of service to his community.  He took his biggest pride in serving his church.  His God and church were the focus and center of his heart.  He loved his church and church family.  He served as a deacon for Zionville Baptist Church and was there whenever the doors were open. Even in his last few months, he decided he wanted to donate any love offerings he was given to build a playground for the children at the church. His love for God was evident in his service to his community.  In his sickness, he still had others in his thoughts, and how he could help.

David will be remembered for his happiness, integrity, helpfulness, kindness, being an exceptional friend and a devoted Christian.  The most beautiful words and vibrant adjectives could never truly describe the man David Miller was.  David did life right; he had his priorities in order.  A life well lived.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lucille Miller, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Nulan and Pearl Watson, and brother n law Ricky Lee Watson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his adoring wife Terri Miller of 45 1/2 years. Daughters; Cindy Isaacs and husband Frankie of Zionville, Jennifer Miller of Zionville, Leslie Tankersley and husband Todd of Zionville.  Grandchildren, Caleb Isaacs, Cheyenna and husband Cody Hampton, and Titus Tankersley.  Great-granddaughter Catherine Pearl Hampton and Cora on the way.  Sister, Debbie Potter and husband JV of Zionville.  Brother, Donald Miller and wife Amy of Zionville.  In-laws, Freddy and Dianne Phipps of Trade, TN, and Glenn and Pam Grubb of Todd, NC. He is also loved by many nieces and nephews and so many friends.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Zionville Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, from 5:00 until 8:00, at Alliance Bible Fellowship.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to, Zionville Baptist Church Playground Fund, P.O. Box 132, Zionville, NC 28698.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.