Sherril "Jean" Goad Miller

Sherril “Jean” Goad Miller, 85, of Knoxville, TN, passed away Monday, May 12th, 2025, at 6:01a.m., after a three-year struggle with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. She was born in Memphis, TN on January 9, 1940, to Betty and Sam Goad. She came of age in the 1950’s and always had a particular affinity for the era and the music, especially Elvis. Jean attended Treadwell High School, where she met C. Mitchell Miller, Jr. in 1954. The two, became inseparable and were together all through high school. Following graduation, she attended Memphis State University majoring in elementary education, while Mitchell attended the University of Mississippi on a Naval ROTC scholarship, pursuing a degree in engineering. When they married in May 1960, Jean moved to Oxford, MS and worked at the telephone company while Mitchell completed his degree. Upon graduating in May of 1962, Mitchell accepted a job with the DuPont Corporation, and they moved to Martinsville, VA. While living in Martinsville, VA from 1962 – 1972, they became parents to three children. They also developed close friendships with other DuPonters who loved playing bridge and enjoyed parties where Mitchell and friends played in a jug band – Mitchell played the ukulele. The family relocated multiple times secondary to Mitchell’s career – Wilmington, DE (1972-1974); Hendersonville, TN (1974-1986); then returning to Martinsville, VA (1986-1996); and ending up in Chattanooga, TN in 1996, where Mitchell retired from the DuPont Corporation in 1999. Throughout her life, Jean was also involved in several civic organizations, served as a Girl Scout Leader, organized soccer fundraisers, welcomed newcomers and helped those less fortunate. She always kept an impressive garden which she personally developed and tended. When in Martinsville, during the early 1990’s, Jean became a local cable television celebrity with a show called “This Ads Up,” where she would interview local businesspeople and promote their businesses; She developed quite a following. Though raised in the Baptist Church, she and Mitchell joined the Methodist Church in Martinsville in the early 1960’s, and attended regularly. She always had an abiding love for nature, animals and the outdoors. She loved the holidays – especially Christmas when she would wrap almost anything to put under the tree. Jean loved bargains, treasure hunting, and giving gifts to others. Jean and Mitchell were blessed with four grandchildren. She and Mitchell spent as much time as they could being involved in the grandkid’s lives, regularly attending soccer games and theatrical performances throughout the years. Mitchell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2006. When he fell and broke his hip in late 2014, Jean became his primary caregiver until his passing in February of 2016. In December of 2020, Jean relocated to Knoxville, TN in anticipation of needing help as she got older. Jean was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was gifted with the rare ability to talk to and get along with almost everyone she met. She was seldom without a humorous anecdote or bit of advice in any situation, solicited or not. Jean was fortunate to remain happy and joyful throughout her last years despite suffering from dementia. She is survived by her brother, Ron Goad (Vicki); her three children, Mitch Miller III (Mary), Brian Miller (Venice), and Sherril M. Boozer (David); four grandchildren, Rebecca Miller, Ben Miller, Hannah Boozer Merli (Josiah), and Josh Boozer. A visitation will be held from 1:00pm-2:00pm on June 21, 2025 at Rose-Mann Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).

Tributes

Sherril "Jean" Goad Miller

January 9, 1940 - May 12, 2025