James Miller

Mr. James Henry Miller, age 93, of Griffin, GA, passed away at his home on October 2, 2014. Mr. Miller was born October 3, 1920, in Moss Point, Mississippi, and married the late Lucille McKissick O’Kelley Miller of Griffin, on July 3, 1976, moving to Griffin in 1978. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Cleo Deakle Miller; father, Lewis Miller; brother, Robert Miller; sisters, Rosetta White Emerson and Ada MuCullough Parker; nephews Billy White, Earl White and C L Dickens; niece-in-law, Aggie White; stepsons, Cecil Jack O’Kelley and Joseph Gerald O’Kelley.

James retired from Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi as a Master Welder in 1975, and retired from Kroger as a Courtesy Clerk in 1998. He served in the Army, 128th Infantry. In the 1950s, he was part of two historic nuclear testings -- Operation Hardtack and Operation Redwing in Enewetak, South Pacific. He worked on the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks overhaul in the 1960s. He received two Citations from the Department of the Navy for his contribution at Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries on the successful launching of the USS Tarawa in December 1973, the USS Spruance in November 1973 and the USS Paul F. Foster.

Survivors include his stepchildren, Guy Stephen O’Kelley, wife Pat; Joan O’Kelley Morris, husband Jerry; step grandchildren, Todd O’Kelley; Brandon O’Kelley, wife Candise; Kipsey O’Kelley Stotts; Kelli Morris Brown, husband Daryl; Amy Morris Locke, husband Blake; Garrett O’Kelley; Jolee O’Kelley Sanborn, husband Ryan; Rachel O’Kelley; Bonnie O’Kelley and Dayton O’Kelley; and 13 step great grandchildren; niece-in-law Pearl White and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Miller will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. Pastor Don Edeker, from Mr. Miller’s home church, New Horizon Ministries, in Moss Point, MS, will officiate. Interment will follow at Westwood Gardens. Friends may visit the family on Saturday morning one hour prior to the service.

The family extends their deepest appreciative to his caregivers at Brightmoor Nursing Home and Eternal Hope Hospice for their thoughtful care.