Peggy Joyce Quinn Miller
November 15, 2020
Born in:
Elm City, Tx
Resided in:
College Station, Tx
Peggy Joyce Quinn Miller born July 19, 1937 in Elm City, NC to George Royce Quinn and Ruby Hazel Oakey of Elm City, NC passed away peacefully on November 15, 2020 at the age of 83.
The longtime resident of College Station, TX, was a 1955 graduate of Elm City High School in Elm City, NC, where she discovered her love of learning from her high school English teacher and mentor, Helen Simpson. Peggy was the first to graduate college in her family, earning a degree in Grammar Education from East Carolina University to become a Teacher. After graduation, Peggy took a rare opportunity to teach children of the Department of Defense (DoD) schools in Germany, and as a single-female of that era, was a pioneer, traveling the globe to over 35 countries with fellow teachers on weekends and during summers.
Peggy’s exploration took her to places all over the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where she tried new and daring things like riding a camel in Egypt, hiking the Swiss Alps, visiting the Berlin Wall, and attending service with the Pope at the Vatican. Her sense for adventure continued throughout life with activities such as parachuting out of an Army helicopter, attending Texas A&M Football Chalk-talks, and singing karaoke! She was in awe to have experienced the things she read about in books, and loved bringing the world into her classroom.
While in Germany, she met and later married Army officer Thomas H. Miller, her husband of 56 years of whom she enjoyed watching all-Aggie sports games. As a wartime military spouse and mother, she endured and supported her husband while in Vietnam, and later her son in Desert Storm. When her husband’s career-stations moved, so did Peggy’s, which resulted in a Master’s of Education degree from the then all-male Texas A&M University (Class of ‘68), and teaching at several schools across the U.S., including her last formal teaching position at Franklin High School in Franklin, TX. However, Peggy’s 30-year life-long career didn’t end. She continued to substitute-teach and tutor into her 80s, and remained highly tech-savvy using her iPhone and iPad daily to communicate with family and friends via email, text, and Facebook.
Peggy always hoped that her passion and whole-hearted work with thousands of students helped them to accomplish their dreams in some way. She enjoyed seeing children learn and their eyes light up when they conquered a task, but Peggy’s utmost love, pride and joy was in educating and raising her own sons into fine young men, and seeing her grandchildren accomplish their degrees and dreams.
Peggy is loved, admired, and respected by so many. She was selfless, thoughtful and kind, and an Earth Angel, always offering or surprising people with help in some way. Please join us in celebrating Peggy’s life. She was a gift … a true gem with a sparkle that will live on in the many lives she touched.
Peggy is survived by her husband Thomas H. Miller of College Station, TX, sons John Miller (and wife Debra) of Frisco, TX and Greg Miller of Arlington, TX, sister Brenda Arrington of Elm City, NC, brother Jerry Quinn of Picayune, MS, and five grandchildren: Kimberly, Laura, Kayla, Katherine, and Kevin, as well as, several nieces and nephews and friends.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents and brother George Royce Quinn, Jr.
Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A private memorial service will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, TX. All who wish to view the service can do so by going to CallawayJones.com and clicking on the livestream option to view the service online. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Peggy’s memory to: www.teachforamerica.org
For tribute video please use link below.
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/3484KRQHS8Z9YRRZ
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Love you Aunt B!
Thank you so much Dave. Love ya!
CJ and I will miss everything about you. Thank you for always being such a wonderful wise woman to me. I felt like you were Heaven sent sometimes when you came in for haircuts. You comforted me through a lot all these years. Thank you for your friendship. I will miss you dearly.
CJ and I will miss everything about you. Thank you for always being such a wonderful wise woman to me. I felt like you were Heaven sent sometimes when you came in for haircuts. You comforted me through a lot all these years. Thank you for your friendship. I will miss you dearly.
Our dear neighbor and wonderful friend is now with her Savior. We will miss her dearly
Jon and Rhonda
So many great memories at Franklin High School! Because of you I can still recite Romeo and Juliet. I loved connecting with you on Facebook. RIH
Peggy was our neighbor for many years in the Bishopville Community while teaching in the Franklin ISD. Our son and daughter both were fortunate to have her as a friend and teacher. She kept in touch with them through the years and after the birth of their children, and our grandchildren, she continued to stay close to the their children via cards and gifts on the children’s birthdays. God certainly blessed her with the talents that were necessary to make learning fun. Peggy always had a listening ear, words of wisdom, and a spirit that led her to comfort anyone in need or even sorrow. To the family, we send our thoughts of sweet memories of Peggy and the peace and comfort from the Good Lord to carry you through the days ahead.
Mrs. Miller was a “ One of a kind “As a co-worker, mother of 2 outstanding students,& athletes & an outstanding example for our kids (3) as their Teacher & friend. She ,by example, made you a better teacher & person.She had a great influence on so many. Prayers for Tom & the families of John & Greg.
I will miss her she was such a great teacher and she always asked about my children after I became a mom. My deepest condolences to the family.
Peggy was a kind, gentle, brave, and devoted soul. My sympathy and prayers go out to Tom and the rest of her family that they be sustained and comforted in these difficult days ahead.
Mrs. Miller was one of my favorites; I gained a love of literature, a desire for world travel, and the courage to be a fearless independent female. She and I shared many conversations and she encouraged me all the way. She reminded me once in class when I may have smacked a student for being inappropriate, that even in the toughest of times, to remember to “be a lady and hold my head high.” I will miss you. You were my inspiration for so much.
I learned so much from Peggy as a young teacher and mom. I cherish the times we got together for lunch through the years after retirement. I shall miss my friend.
Mrs. Peggy Miller was my next door neighbor in College Station, TX. I moved away in 2014 but I followed her on Facebook after leaving the area. She was a great neighbor and I knew I could always count on her if I was in need. I was shocked when I saw the notification of her death just now. She will be sorely missed.
I taught art across the hall from Peggy, but one year they made me teach sophomore english and I wouldn’t have made it without your mom! We had so much fun working together over the years. There were many practical jokes played on some deserving students! Loved that woman!! I could tell stories for days. I loved watching the live service. You did a perfect job describing Peggy.