Barbara Joan Miller

Barbara Joan Purches Miller, 87, of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 10, 2023, of natural causes. Joan was born on August 26 th , 1935, to Dorthea Anna Carlsen and Walter Patrick Purches in Detroit, Michigan. She was raised in Norfolk, VA. After graduating from Granby High School in 1952, she went on to study for one semester at Gordon College. She met her husband William “Bill” Theodore Miller Jr. while attending Granby High. They wed in 1955, going on to have six children: William, Barbara, Gary, Matthew, Mark, and Jeffrey. When Joan had William, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Joan excelled at propping up her husband and children and supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She made it her mission to raise her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and to improve the lives of others. During a challenging time when Bill was unemployed, she took on a job as a court reporter to support her family. A job she became so good at, her services became highly in demand. Many a night she was up until 2:00am finishing expedited jobs that put food on her family’s table. Joan was passionate about sewing and playing worship music on the family piano. When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found driving her kids to the sporting events that they participated in year-round. Joan was a blessing to everyone and will be greatly missed. Joan was predeceased by Bill, her husband of 57 years, and her granddaughter Alicia Miller. She is survived by her six children: William (Anna) Miller, Barbara (Greg) Tate, Gary (Kathy) Miller, Matthew (Cheryl) Miller, Mark Miller, and Jeffrey (Yuchin) Miller; eight grandchildren: Rebecca (Brent) Wolford, Amanda (Brandon) Looper, Jamie-Lee Miller, Joshua Miller, Haley Miller, Casey Miller, Brandon Miller, and Madison Miller; four great-grandchildren: Caleb, Aubree and Toby Wolford, and Amelia Looper. There will be a celebration of life at 12:00pm, June 2, 2023, at Greenville First Assembly. Joan will be buried next to her husband, Bill, in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk VA.

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Barbara Joan Miller

August 26, 1935 - February 10, 2023