The union of Leland and Delores Bingham Miller brought forth, among many wonderful things, the birth of a beautiful soul, Terry Leland Miller who came into the world on a mild and sunny day in Connecticut. Terry took his first breaths at 10:52pm on Friday, May 10, 1946 at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport.
After the untimely passing of his young mother, Terry was sent to live with his paternal grandparents in Covington, Virginia. They raised him and his brother Eddie with an abundance of family and love during the time that Jim Crow laws governed southern society. The contrast made an indelible impression on Terry during his most formative years. It made him an even more passionate, steadfastly deliberate and sensitive spirit that showed up in the world to teach the legacy of true love for his family and his people. He showed his commitment to family and community as a husband, father, writer, social justice activist, and genealogist who was insatiably interested in the personal histories of people he knew, as well as his ancestors.
Terry worked continually on improving his life with education and community service. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at Southern Connecticut State University and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice while simultaneously lecturing on race relations across the state of Connecticut. He became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Prince Hall Widow’s Son Lodge Number 1, and was engaged in a host of community service initiatives.
Married in 1965, Terry and his wife, Surverne, were live-in directors of a transitional home for youth of families in need of specialized support called UNO House in New Haven. The children of UNO House became Terry and Surverne’s family, raised alongside two of their biological children – Terry, and Russell – who also lived there. The Millers were committed to maintaining relationships and providing a welcoming environment for all of the children’s parents and families which established a model of integrative healing support – the first and only of its design in New Haven. Terry went on to spend several years as the Executive Director of Head Start for the City of New Haven, later becoming a government consultant before retiring from the State of Connecticut’s Day Care Licensing Division. His talents, interests, and relationships deeply enriched his professional career and were reflected in the many awards and recognitions he received.
Terry often spoke of his late wife as his teacher, his best friend, and the love of his life. He considered the two of them to be inseparable and attributed their lasting marriage to selecting company and friends wisely, loving family, forgiving quickly, and practicing faith daily. He was a devoted father and uncle, and taught his children to be playful yet disciplined, to enjoy reading, camping, swimming, dancing, traveling, and making his signature dessert bread pudding. He was the family historian and was usually found discussing books, political issues, or sitting behind a camera documenting a family gathering or interviewing his elders.
Terry is predeceased by his late wife and beloved lifetime partner of forty years, Surverne Watkins-Miller, and leaves with fond memories, his three children: daughter and caregiver Delores S. Williams (Kyle R. Williams) of New Haven, Russell A. Miller (Tricia) of Meriden, Terry L. Miller Jr. (Alexander Gonzales) of California; three grandchildren, Olivia J. Miller, Laila S. Williams, and Mason E. Williams; two foster sons, Eddie Freeman of New Haven, Larry Taylor of New Haven; as well as beloved in-laws (the Watkins family of Bridgeport), adored nieces and nephews, and longtime friendships.
As one out of five children, he is predeceased by his eldest brother, Edward Leland Miller, Jr. He leaves with fond memories, a beloved sister-in-law, Sigrid Miller of West Haven, CT; brothers Charles Miller of Rocky Hill, CT, William Miller of Covington, Virginia, Robert Miller of Wyoming; and one sister, Pamela Epps of New Haven, CT.
Terry succumbed to an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia on December 26, 2019. Coincidentally this day was also the first day of Kwanzaa “Umoja”, which represents the first of seven principles that he believed in – to strive and maintain unity within the family, community, nation, and race. As challenging as this part of his journey was, it never rendered him unfamiliar with loved ones. In October, his medical chart shows him quoted to nurses stating, “my wife is waiting for me”. While his team of providers at Connecticut Hospice worked around the clock to ensure that he was as comfortable and as peaceful as possible, Terry took his last breaths at 5:30 PM watching documentaries and listening to his favorite music with his daughter Delores by his side.
A celebration of Mr. Miller’s life and legacy will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, 425 Newhall St., Hamden. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Burial will be private
Miller Family-My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Terry at the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for a coup lu e of years before he retired. He was a kind and friendly person. He will be truly missed.
Mary
To The Miller’s Family
Thank you ?? Terry for what you have shared with the EarlyChildhood Professionals over the Thirty plus years
May God continue to be a blessing for your Family
Rest in Peace My Friend. I enjoyed the years directly working with Terry and overall the many years I knew him. His sense of humor and ability to talk with me about anything caused us to always stop and have a word with each other whenever or wherever we saw each other, he was a true gentleman. Terry is always someone I will remember from my work life and when I do, a smile always comes across my face.
To Terry’s family; My deepest condolences for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Terry Miller my condolences to the Family. Mr. Miller was my counselor in a community program here in Bridgeport. When he found out I could draw he put me to work on a community newspaper HARAMBEE. Because of Mr, Miller I attended Art College. He helped a shy introverted teenage girl realize her dreams of becoming an Artist. Thank You Mr. Terry Miller may you REST in PARADISE.
Wendy J, Bridgeforth
So sorry to hear about the passing of Terry. What a compassionate and witty man. May he rest in peace.
Margaret Holbrook friend of the Miller Watkins family.
My sincere condolences to the Miller family. Terry and I went to school together and played on the basketball team, after school whenever I saw him he would ride me about not giving him the ball enough, so he could shoot. He was a great friend and will be missed.
To Terry’s children & family, I was saddened to hear of the passing of your dad. May the many good memories of him last forever and he rest in peace with his loving wife and partner. God Bless.
To The Miller Family:
I had the pleasure of working with Terry for close to 11 years while he was the Executive Director of The New Haven Child Development Program. He was a true professional in every sense of the word. His commitment not only to his own family, but also to the families of all those who came into contact with him in whatever position he held was second to none. He was tireless in this respect. His belief in every individual he met was so contagious you couldn’t help but succeed. On a personal note, Terry was my first Director in child care and he patiently guided me (along with others)
as I navigated my way during my early years as a social worker in the child care field. He was my teacher, my mentor,
and above all, a dear friend who I will truly, truly miss.
Thank you Terry not only for your leadership and friendship, but also for the great legacy you leave to everyone of us who had the privilege of working with you and knowing you.
To the Miller family,
Condolences to your family
you are in my prayers
My heart felt condolence to the Miiler family. Terry was so nice, I worked for ABCD in Headstart in Stratford. I was one of the first parent/ teacher to work there and my daughter was one of the first graduates. I could talk to him at anytime and what I said was kept between us. Even though it has been years since I have seen him but I will never forget him. He is no longer suffering. May he RIP
When I grew up Terry was the cousin we loved to sit next to at the thanksgiving table at our Aunt Corrine’s house because he always had jokes. His jokes always got us in trouble but it was worth it because in the end everyone was on the floor laughing because Aunt Corrine would get at him and he would blame anybody he could. There will never be another Terry!! Love you Terry and know that you left an imprint representative of love, trust and compassion!
My sincere thoughts are with the Miller family:
You will be missed In this world Terry Miller. Sending peace and comfort to your family. When working at DPH, everyday we talked about your golf game and fishing and of course the fantasies of winning the “ big one” lottery. Your laugh and smile will be remembered. Rest In Peace, my friend.
Cindy Pilarski
Sadie, Chaz , Heather, and Miller family,
We are so saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sending my deepest condolences to the Miller family. Terry was a generous and fun-loving individual who made everyone feel like family. I will truly miss his sense of humor, intellect and warm spirit. He and his late wife Surverne, an amazing friend, opened their home to me when I was a young adult getting started in my career. I will always keep them close to my heart.