Nancy Biles Miller, long-time resident of Brownwood, Texas, died Sunday, January 28, 2018, at the age of 90. She lived to become a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, business professional, governmental leader and change agent, and civic activist. She is also remembered by friends and family as a beautiful vocalist.
Nancy was born October 29, 1927, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was married to governmental and community leader Harry A. Miller, Jr. for almost 65 years who preceded her in death in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Dent Biles and Hallie Parrish Biles, as well as her brother, Jerry Dent Biles. Nancy graduated from Baylor University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Applied Voice/Performance. Musical performance remained a pillar throughout her life and she shared her beautiful soprano voice to the enjoyment of those around her until the end. Nancy served as a public school music teacher in Fort Worth, Texas from 1949 to 1951.
She held administrative positions with General Telephone Company and Southwest State Bank in Brownwood, Texas from 1959 to 1968. Beginning in 1969 until 1972, she served as the Administrative Assistant to the President of Howard Payne University and also performed public relations work in that capacity. From 1972 until her retirement in 1988, Nancy held the positions of Director of Volunteer Services, Public Information Officer, and Student Rights Specialist for the Texas Youth Commission – Brownwood State School.
Through her employment by TYC as its very first Volunteer Coordinator, she was recognized by the Commission as paving the way for the creation of an extensive network of volunteer programs in all institutions and half way houses throughout the State of Texas. In this role, she was also responsible for organizing the first TYC Community Advisory Council to develop a collaboration for the rehabilitation of Texas juveniles between TYC and the civic leaders of the communities in which TYC facilities were located. Nancy was active in professional and civic organizations such as Texas Corrections Association, Texas Employees Association, Brownwood Community Cultural Affairs Commission (Past Chairman), Rotary Ann Club (Past President), Union Presbyterian Church (Past Chairman, Board of Deacons), Community Concert Association, Mu Phi Epsilon (National Music Organization), Epsilon Sigma Alpha (National Service Organization), Brown County United Way (Chairman, Women’s Division and Board/Directors), March of Dimes Mother’s March, and Muscular Dystrophy Drive.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kay Miller Dodds; her son Randall Miller and his wife Suetta; her daughter Laurie Miller Qunell; son-in-law Michael Qunell; grandson Chris Miller and his wife Cassie; grandson Jason Qunell and his wife Carrie; granddaughter Lindsey Bell and her husband Michael; granddaughter Catherine Qunell; granddaughter Caitlin Day and her husband Cody; grandson Austin Miller; great-granddaughters Kelsey Miller, Kayla Miller, Avery Qunell, and Coulter Day; great-grandson Major Bell; five nieces; and three nephews.
Services will be held at Union Presbyterian Church, 700 Fisk Avenue, Brownwood, Texas at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 2, 2018, under the direction of Heartland Funeral and Cremation Service. A reception will be held at the church following the service. Online condolences to the family can be left at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
