Mina Ruth Dail Miller , July 08, 1928 — July 13, 2018

Mina Ruth Dail Miller, 90, of Kinston, died peacefully on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Transitions Hospice Home in Raleigh. Born July 8, 1928 in Institute township, she spent her entire life in Lenoir County. She was the daughter of John P. and Mina Stroud Dail.

She was happily married for 29 years to Thomas Kenan Miller Jr. until his death in 1980. Mina studied nursing at Memorial General Hospital’s School of Nursing in Kinston. After graduating, she practiced as an operating room nurse, then worked as a public health nurse for Lenoir County.

In 1970, she embarked on a new career as a high school teacher and founder of the Health Occupations program at Kinston High School until her retirement in 1982. During that time, she served on the board of the North Carolina Vocational Education Association, the board for Practical Nursing at Lenoir Community College, and served as President of the North Carolina Health Occupations Teachers Association. In her retirement, Mina pursued her interest in art and became a well-respected local artist.

She was featured as Artist of the Month on several occasions and was a proud supporter of Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts. Mina is survived by her three loving children Thomas K. Miller III (Trish) of Raleigh, Robert D. Miller (Suzanne) of Winston-Salem, and Diane Miller Paling (Michael) of Cary. She loved being “Nana” to her grandchildren Kenan Miller, Laura Graybeal (Tyler), Jennifer Miller, and Robert Miller, Jr. and was thrilled to welcome her first great grandchild, Jack Graybeal, in June.

She is also survived by her brother, Robert Dail (Neese) of Fayetteville and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters- John Dail Jr., Julia Marie Harris, Frank Dail, and Faye Ross. Mina was pleased in her later years be very active in the Philanthropic Education Organization and cherished the company of her PEO sisters as they worked toward their goal of improving the lives of women through education.

Her memorial will be held on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Garner Funeral Home followed by a celebration of life reception at the Community Council for the Arts. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Community Council for the Arts, 400 North Queen St., Kinston, NC 28501.

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