Elijah “Pason” Miller, Sr. was born in Mayesville, to the late Wash Miller and the late Anna Harvin Miller Benjamin and raised by the late Parrish Benjamin. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife the late Lillie Mae Gregg Miller and that union produced six children–Annie Bette M. (Floyd) McFadden of Atlanta, Georgia, Bessie M. (Elijah) Hannibal and Lousie M. (James) Eaddy, both of Mayesville, South Carolina, Elijah (Laura) Miller, Jr. of Sumter, South Carolina, and Larry (Delphine) Miller of Sumter, South Carolina. He was later joined in matrimony to Mary Briggs Miller and this union produced two children Angela Miller of Atlanta, Georgia, Jeffery Miller of North Augusta, South Carolina and two adopted children Kenneth Miller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and William (Tracey) Miller of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After his baby sister Louise Benjamin passed, he raised one nephew, Paul (Patricia) Benjamin of Augusta, Georgia. Pason’s spiritual journey began at a very early age when he gave his life to Christ. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized in the House of God Church where he worked as a faithful servant until he was no longer physically able to serve in the House of the Lord. For over seventy years, he faithfully served in many roles including that of Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and one of the church’s musicians playing his much loved lap steel guitar. Deacon Miller, affectionately known as “Dec” loved to glorify God through prayer and worship. Pason received his education at Goodwill Parochial School in Mayesville, After leaving school, he worked many years in the farming industry in Mayesville but was later employed at Santee Printworks as a lead printer in Sumter, where he retired after thirty-five years of service. Never one to shy away from hard work, he was also employed simultaneously at Bates Middle School as a custodian for over fifteen years. After retirement, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to create and operate Miller’s Landscaping. As a dedicated business man with God-given talents, he provided services to individuals, businesses and communities for many years throughout Sumter County. Through his tireless service, Pason was a pillar to everyone in the community and a friend to everyone he met. He spent his life doing what he loved most: gardening, working exceptionally hard, and above all else, worshipping his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elijah Miller, Sr. departed this earthly life Monday, February 20, 2023 in Sumter, South Carolina. He also leaves to cherish his adored sister, Eva Mae Tripp of Charlotte, NC; twenty grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Gardenia “Dena” (Tommy) Benjamin of Washington, DC; a loving and devoted nephew, Elijah (Diana) Burgess of Sumter, and a host of precious nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is survived by his dedicated personable and professional care-giver, Ms. Betty Mae Baker of Sumter, who was devoted to caring for him until God called him home. In addition to his loving parents and wife, Lillie Mae, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Diana Miller, a grandson, Dominic Miller, two sisters, and four brothers. In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting that face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitations at the home of Elijah “Henry” Miller, Jr. from 3:00 – 7:00 p. m., 355 Planters Drive, Sumter. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a. m., Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Galilee Baptist Church, 126 East Sumter Street, Mayesville, with the Rev. Eugene Myers, Pastor, presiding, Bishop Douglas Fisher, Eulogist. The Remains will be placed in the church at 10:00 a. m. for viewing until time of services. The procession will leave the home at 10:10 a. m. Burial will be in the Mayesville Community Cemetery, Mayesville.
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