Surrounded by her family, Ann Patterson Cowan Miller died on Sunday morning, September 14, 2014, after a brave and determined four-year battle against ovarian cancer.
Ann was born on July 18, 1942, in Statesville, NC, to Thomas Gillespie and Kathleen Patterson Cowan. She spent her childhood in North Carolina and Georgia, often relocating to a new home as her family followed her dad’s career with Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. Over those years, she was a student at 15 schools. In Winston-Salem, she attended James A. Gray High School for three years and then graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School in 1960. She went on to study at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNCG).
Ann married Charles Jackson Miller on August 1, 1964, and worked for Wachovia Bank and Trust Company until she and Charles began their family. After raising three children, she worked at Salem Kitchen for eight years and then joined Charles in retirement.
Ann cherished the love of her Lord, family and friends, her home, and especially the beauty of the Lord’s creation. A bird lover, she was particularly fond of little Carolina wrens that she considered God’s special messengers from His heart to hers. Over the years Ann acquired a large collection of carvings, prints and drawings of the little rusty-colored birds. She also cherished visits to the North Carolina mountains and enjoyed gardening and wildflowers.
A member of Reynolda Evangelical Presbyterian Church since 1959, Ann served in various leadership roles of the women of the church. She also enjoyed the fellowship and love of The Gables neighborhood Bible study which she led for many years.
Ann is survived by her husband of 50 years, Charles; her three children, Bryan Todd Miller of Columbia, SC, Sharon Leigh Miller Bickel and husband Donald Bickel Jr. of Huntersville, NC, and David Lyerly Miller and wife Laura Rager Miller of Tega Cay, SC; her four grandchildren, Melissa Bickel Amato (Nicholas), Garner, NC, Margaret Bickel, Raleigh, NC, and Kate Miller and Allison Miller, Tega Cay, SC; her two sisters, Julia Rawlinson, Charlotte, NC, and Janet Stolp (Bret), Durham, NC; and her beloved extended family including one cousin, two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law, four nieces and three nephews.
Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 15, at Reynolda Church, 2200 Reynolda Rd. The Rev. Alan Wright will lead a graveside service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Rd., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Reynolda Church. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.
The family is especially grateful for the compassionate care Ann received from Dr. Charles Pippitt Jr. and the team at Piedmont Hematology and Oncology; the Palliative Care Unit at Forsyth Medical Center; and the Hospice and Palliative CareCenter, including the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to athenasrun-ws.org to support gynecologic cancer education, advocacy, care and research; to Reynolda Church or to the Hospice and Palliative CareCenter. The family would also like to thank their many special friends from Reynolda Church, The Gables neighborhood and the Jerry Long Family YMCA for the love and support they have provided.
The Wren
Wee little bird
I heard your song
That broke the silence of the night so long.
A song of hope, a song of praise,
With a heart full of joy your voice you raise.
A reminder to me from the Father above
That I can trust and rest in His love.
Ann Miller - See more at: http://salemfh.com/obituaries/2470/#sthash.BE5DnNSM.dpuf