Louis Terry Miller – Obituary

On February 22, 2019, L. Terry Miller, age 92, of Sheffield, Alabama, left this earth surrounded by his children. His story is not about his death, but about how he lived. Terry was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a successful business owner, loyal community supporter and dedicated Christian man. He excelled in all his roles.
Terry was born in Walker County (Carbon Hill), Alabama, in 1926. He was preceded in death by his parents: Myrtle Miller (Carbon Hill) and William Miller (South Carolina); brother, Ken Miller (Florida) ; sisters, Billy McGough (Carbon Hill) and Peggy Fines (Mississippi); and wife, Rosa Nell Reid Miller (Sheffield).
Terry lived through the Great Depression and learned the importance of hard-work and family. He graduated from Carbon Hill High School where he played on the football team. Upon graduation he chose to serve his country during WWII and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He attended officer training school and Davidson College.
His military career took him to Camp Shelby (Mississippi), Shepherd Field (Texas), Tinker Field (Oklahoma) and various posts in Germany. He earned the American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. At the end of the war, he returned to Alabama and graduated from The University of Alabama with an accounting degree. He began his professional career with the Internal Revenue Service. After earning his CPA, Terry opened his own public accounting firm in 1960 in Sheffield, Alabama.
Terry loved helping his clients with their accounting and tax needs and had many loyal clients he worked with for more than 50 years. Among his clients were the City of Sheffield, Sheffield City Schools and Muscle Shoals City Schools. Retirement was an extremely difficult decision that Terry made reluctantly at 89 years old, only due to health reasons.
Terry served his community and the accounting industry through leadership roles in many organizations over his long life and was a member of the Sheffield Kiwanis Club for more than 25 years. He was a member of Sheffield First United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer for several decades.
Terry loved traveling to new places with his wife and family. Golf was his passion and many of his vacations were spent at top golf resorts across America. He was fortunate to play many PGA courses, but playing Pebble Beach and the Old Course at St. Andrews were bucket list moments for him. He even returned to Scotland with his son on a second trip to play the Old Course again.
He leaves behind two children: Teresa N. Miller (Richard Horton) of Franklin, Tenn. and Lamar Reid Miller (Lori) of Huntsville, Alabama; four grandchildren: Reid Mangelsdorf of Nashville, Tenn., and Christian Mangelsdorf of Franklin, Tenn., and Scott Louis Miller and Kate Miller, both of Huntsville, Ala.
The family thanks the compassionate caregivers who cared for Terry, especially Janet Forsythe.
A Memorial Service will be held at Sheffield First United Methodist Church on March 2, 2 p.m., with visitation from 3-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the City of Sheffield Senior Center or a hospice organization of your choice.