Charles Miller Obituary

Charles Earnest Miller age 89 of Spring City, Tennessee died on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

He was born on January 18, 1936 to the late Charlie and Ruth Simpson Miller and was a lifetime resident of the area. Earnest grew up in a Christian home where he came to know Jesus as His Savior. He knew this world was not his home.

Earnest was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Rockwood, Tennessee. For many years he served as a local pastor and song leader, pointing others to know his personal Savior, Jesus Christ. In every prayer at every gathering and every meal, he never failed to share the gospel and give thanks “to God for sending His son to die for us.” He wanted his family and friends to know where true hope and peace is found.

Earnest married the love of his life, the late Elizabeth Miller, when he was 18 years old. They shared a remarkable 61 years of marriage until Elizabeth went home to be with the Lord in 2015. Earnest worked hard to provide for his family, retiring from KTC Apparel after many years of labor. He spent his retired days among his friends, drinking coffee at Hardees and driving around town seeing what he could get himself into. Earnest drove his grandchildren and great grandchildren to and from school and practices, making sure they had everything they needed and wanted. He loved to be surrounded by people and didn’t like to be alone. He was loved by many, and his presence will forever be missed, but we rejoice in the fact that he is now made whole and at home with his Lord and Savior.

Earnest is preceded in death by his sisters Isabelle Crouse, Maxine Wright, and Flora Mae Pendleton, his brother Harold Miller, and his great granddaughter Emma Ray Harvey.

Survivors include his children Franklin (Kay) Miller and Debbie Eblen both of Spring City, Tennessee; his sisters Frances Spicknall, Lucille Harvey, and Junior (Shirley) Miller; his grandchildren Pansy (Matt) Sattler, Kim (Robbie) Harvey, Nicki (Josh) Pelfrey, Jason Janow, and Lisa Barnes; his 10 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Vaughn Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Leffew officiating. Interment will follow in the Friendship Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Vaughn Funeral Home.

Vaughn Funeral Home of Spring City is in charge of the arrangements of Charles Earnest Miller and asks that friends and family share their words of comfort and memories on our website www.vaughn-funeral-home.com