Remembering Diane Miller
How do you begin to convey the impact of a life well lived? I don’t know that it’s truly, fully possible, but I do believe it is good to try. From all I’ve come to learn about Diane Miller in just a few, short months, the impression I have is that she was vivacious—one of those “larger than life” personalities you only encounter from time to time. She was determined and strong. Not afraid to speak truth. Comfortable in her own skin. A lover of the Lord her God. A faithful supporter of her husband and an irreplaceably devoted mom and grandma. Diane was a woman I’m sure I would have looked up to and supported in life, and is a woman I am impacted and inspired by in her home going.
Diane was well known in the lives of many affiliated with Alabama Baptist Children's Homes (ABCH) and across the state through her church and community involvement. Friends described her as spontaneous, fun loving, playful, and high-energy; a woman who said what she thought (and was often right!); and was very giving—both with her time and resources. Personally, one of her all-time favorite activities was to be out on the lake fishing. And a friend shared recently that the two of them, an Alabama and Auburn fan, respectively, would regularly “roll” each other’s houses when their team won the Iron Bowl! Diane was never at a loss for fun, family, friends, or faith. Even until the very end.
Diagnosed in 2010 with ovarian cancer, not one day passed that she was ever cancer free. Not one day passed where she heard a doctor say the words every cancer patient strives to hear, “Your cancer is in remission; you can breathe a little easier. You can take a break from your fight.” And on that note, not one day passed that she didn’t fight with an admirable combination of grace, guts, laughter, tears, and prayer. Diane Miller was a Godly woman who readily shared her faith, and not even an enemy as cruel as cancer could diminish her hope in the Lord and all He had called her to.
Dr. Louise Green, ABCH Vice President for Central Alabama, knew Diane for over 30 years. She considered her both a co-laborer in ministry and a trusted friend. Green fought a similar battle with ovarian cancer and is presently in remission. When asked what she learned about Diane by watching her fight cancer, after a long pause to compose her thoughts and emotions, she shared in a broken voice, “A fearlessness in her faith. What shows in her fight is God; not fear.” She went on to bring light to Diane’s spiritual strength and inner peace contributing, no doubt, to the duration of her long walk with cancer – a walk that spanned more years than medical professionals ever imagined.
Also spanning several years was the time she and her husband, former ABCH President, Paul Miller, were called to serve at the Children's Homes. Having met while in college at Samford University, Green reflected that, “Paul and Diane were a match made in heaven. They were true partners in every sense . . ." She remembered well that Diane was extremely supportive of Paul’s roles at ABCH, a career that spanned nearly four decades.
In addition to being a strong support to him, she also played an active part in the ministry. This was especially seen during the time they were in Mobile, at one point serving as house parents. Many years later, Diane remained very concerned and attentive to the needs of children, even providing regular support to a former group home resident with ongoing needs. This outward showing of concern and love even in her last days, as weak as she was in body, revealed the inward strength and compassion in her spirit.
Diane has now received that long anticipated break from cancer through entering an eternal, heavenly home where we are promised in Revelation that every tear is wiped away from our eyes, “and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” What joy and comfort we can all take in this hope!
And for Diane, while her pain has passed, her legacy and hope in Jesus Christ will live through the countless lives she touched through her family, friends, churches, and work in ministry “among the least of these.” When I asked Dr. Green what she thought Diane’s favorite part about the ministry of ABCH was, her response was quick and confidently stated, “That children were being introduced to Jesus Christ.”
Oh that we would continue to keep our focus on that ultimate goal – that through protecting and nurturing, through serving and letting our lights shine for Him, that we would see children and families come to know personally, the unfailing love and restoring power of Jesus Christ. Not only would this benefit a world in need of hope, but as we live this out as an ABCH family of staff, friends, and partners, it would also serve as a tribute to this dear lady, one who so faithfully encouraged these actions of those in her home and beyond.
In memory of Diane Parkman Miller, May 11, 1945 – December 23, 2014