~Remembering Robert Roy Miller~ Oct 9,1893- July 30,1969 ~

My remembrances of Robert Roy Miller, my Dad's brother and the rock of our family. I can not really do justice at describing Robert Roy Miller, as he always seemed bigger than life to me.Ethel Wright daughter of William Harrison Wright and Althea Jarrett and Robert Roy Miller were married on 29 Nov 1919. To this union were born four children, Robert Roy Miller, Jr.,Jack Wright Miller,Carl William Miller and Martha Viola Miller.

Robert Roy Miller was born October 9, 1893, to William J. Miller and Sallie Rogers Miller. He was their second child that was born to this union.

The photo shown below is of Will and Sallie Miller with their two children Mamie and baby Robert Roy,
The photo below shows 'Roy' and 'Mamie' at their fathers dry goods store. Mamie remembered the colors on the bolts of cloth in the background and said she remembered her hat was on the table at her side.

From left to right, Locke Craig, Willie Lois, Robert Roy and Ida Mamie, children of Will and Sallie Miller.

Portrait of the Miller children, taken about 1903 in the front row ~left to right: Locke Craig and Willie Lois~ back row~left to right: Robert Roy and Ida Mamie.

~My guess about this photo was about 1918, from left to right, Mamie Miller Anderson, Robert Roy Miller, Willie Lois Miller, Locke Craig Miller, Stephen Hubert Miller and Kenneth Rogers Miller only halfway shown.~

The photo below is of Ethel Wright,Robert Roy's bride and this young lady, along with her husband became a substitute mother to the Miller clan soon after her marriage. Some of the Miller youngsters were as old as she.

This photo was taken at Euclid Beach Amusement Park near Cleveland Ohio. Roy is in the middle and his brothers Hubert on the left and Locke on the right. I believe this was in the 1930's, but am not certain. Bill went to live in Cleveland with his brother Locke after he graduated from High School in 1930. Kenneth went to live in Cleveland, also but I am not certain of the date. There was a roller coaster and conservative Robert Roy was quoted as saying, "I do not believe that thing is safe!"

This photo shows an older Roy and his youngest brother Bill along with family members. His sister in law Undine is standing behind Bill's twin daughters, and his wife Ethel is wearing a blue shawl.

The photo shown below is Robert Roy's and Ethel's daughter Martha along with her Uncle Kenneth (Roy's Brother)

The following photo: Brothers and their sister from left to right:

Hubert , Mamie and Robert Roy. I believe this photo was taken at a family reunion .

From left to right Ethel, Carl William, Sr., Martha and Robert Roy.

Roy (shown on the extreme left) sang in the choir at the Methodist Church. He had a very good voice and he often sang solos.

Roy, was a devoted grandfather, he is shown here with two of his grandchildren Laura 'Lolly' and Scott.

Three Miller Brothers; Robert Roy, Stephen Hubert and Kenneth Rogers.
Roy and his beloved wife Ethel.
Roy and Ethel's home on Eola Avenue in West Asheville.They lived in this house for many years. Ethel sold the house after Roy's death, and moved to Florida with her daughter. Sometimes my sister and I would stop by to visit Aunt Ethel when we went swimming at nearby Malvern Hills Park.
Marker in Greenhill Cemetery in West Asheville. Roy and Ethel rest there in the plot that Roy originally purchased for his parents. Their son Jack and daughter Martha are also buried there.

He was the rock of our Miller family after his parents died in 1917 and 1918. Roy then took over as head of the family, although he was only 25 and there were five unmarried brothers and sisters to look after. Lois was 22, Locke was 19, Hubert was 15, Kenneth was 10, and Bill was 6. He married his bride Ethel Wright in 1919. Ethel was three years younger than Roy, and she took on the job of caring for his brothers and sister, some of whom were not very much her junior. She and Roy's sister Lois were the same age, in fact.
Everyone in the Miller family for years to come always considered Roy the head of the clan. He even found employment for the younger ones as they matured. I know he oversaw Bill's education, and Hubert's wife Undine (who went to High School with Bill) thought that Roy was Bill's father.
I know that Roy sang solos for the Methodist Church and he had a beautiful singing voice. He actually sang at my Uncle Jim's funeral. All of the family, looked up to Roy as being a very Spiritual person who lived a Godly and moral life.
He was always a part of our lives, and was always available for help and encouragement when there was a family crisis of any kind.
I always thought it was the sweetest and kindest thing that he looked after his brothers and sister, his being so young. The family members always remained close.
Roy and Ethel had four children, three sons and one daughter. I always liked visiting with their daughter Martha, who was generous to a fault. She was the baby in her family.
I have a letter somewhere from my Dad, Hubert,who said, "Roy's death really shook me up, He seemed indestructible and he was always there. If any man was ever ready for The Great Mystery it is Roy."