RAYMOND MILLER

Raymond Miller passed away on November 20, 2022. He was born on May 17, 1934, in Sewanee, TN, the eldest of Helen Moore’s four children.  Mr. Miller accepted Christ when he was a child.  He was baptized by Rev. Gary and joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church after his marriage on December 31, 1952 to high school sweetheart, Betty Garrett.   He was a one-time president of the Baptist Youth Organization.  They raised their children in Mt. Zion.  

He played sports at and graduated from Akron’s North High School.  He was All-City in baseball, All-District in football, and 2nd team All-City in basketball.  After high school he was a fastpitch player and manager from 1960 to 1996: Fabulous Fabians, Children’s Hospital. He played every position except pitcher for West Akron Wrens, Zanzibar, GoJo’s, Baby Grande and Caldwell’s Lounge and in the GAFP League, the Big Eight, Youngstown League and the Ohio Fast Pitch League.  His best position was 3rd base.  He also played with the elite Akron Salem Potato Chip team in tournaments.  He switched to slow pitch where he played for Silver Leaf across Ohio, Michigan and other states.  He was inducted into the Summit County Softball Hall of Fame on November 6, 2016. 

He retired in 1993 with 40 years of service from Goodyear Tire Co.  During Goodyear layoffs, he worked odd jobs to support his family including shining shoes.  He served the community by working for five years with underprivileged and hardcore boys through Goodyear’s Operation Springboard and over 10 years with youth programs in Akron’s Recreation Department. He and his wife were also surrogate parents to some nieces and nephews.  

Mr. Miller was predeceased by his mother, brother Charles and son-in-law, Daniel Ivy. He is survived by wife, Betty, children: Arnett (Deborah) Miller, Deborah (Gavin) Cunningham (Winston-Salem, NC),  Sharon Ivy (Clarksville, TN), and Juanita (Billy) Wilson; sisters Louise Harris (Killeen, TX) and Betty Long;  sister-in-law Bernice Sigler; grandchildren Damian (Tan-Taisha) Cunningham (Lee’s Summit, MO), Raylee (De’Andra) Miller (Clarksville, TN), LaKeshia Solomon (Murfreesboro, TN),  Sharleen Ivy-Arrington (Clarksville, TN), Rukiya Miller, Deanna Nwosu (High Point, NC), Shannae Miller, Shantel Wilson, Garrick and Majadi Cunningham (Columbus, OH).  He also leaves several great-grandchildren, two great great grandsons and many nieces and nephews.

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