May 31, 2019 3:00 p.m.
Gwendolyn M. Miller
July 7, 1933 – May 30, 2019 Age: 85
Gwendolyn M. Miller, 85, of Fernandina Beach passed away at her home Thursday, May 30, 2019.
Born in Jacksonville, she was a daughter of the late Schluy Dewey and Elizabeth Tiner Mathews. She lived all of her life in Fernandina Beach and was a member of the 1950 Fernandina High School graduating class.
In 1952 she met and married a young sailor, William L. “Bill” Miller. Their marriage would last 61 years until his passing in 2014 at the age of 85.
Mrs. Miller worked for nearly all of her life. Beginning at the age of 15, she worked at the A & P Grocery on Centre St. where her father was the manager. She later worked for Fernandina Fuel and Fertilizer as an accountant and eventually went to work for Ira Hall in the Tax Collectors office.
In the early 1970’s Mrs. Miller was appointed by the Governor as Tax Collector for Nassau County. She would continue in that position for 33 years until her retirement in 2006.
She was a long time member of the Association of Tax Collectors and long time member of First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach.
Even with her busy work life, Mrs. Miller enjoyed tending to her rose garden at home and every summer she always grew a good crop of tomatoes.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Dewey Mathews and two sisters, Mary Price and Sandra Ward.
She leaves behind her children, William L. “Bill” Miller, Jr and his wife Tina, of Apopka, FL, Sandy Miller Frank of Fernandina Beach and Jay Miller and his wife Marie, of Yulee; six grandchildren, Karen Helms, Cassandra Miller, Emily Miller, Hayley Bryant, David Miller and Iona Miller; four great grandchildren, Tristen, Emma, Brady and David as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach. The family will receive friends Monday, June 3, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
The family asks donations be made, in her memory, to the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, 261 Madison Ave., 9th Floor, New York, New York 10016.