RONALD "BABY" MILLER

Jan. 4, 1952 - July 18, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Ronald Miller, 60, of South Bend, Indiana, a loving son, brother, and best friend, went home to be with the Lord. Ronald died peacefully, after major surgery at Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana on Wednesday July 18, 2012. Once upon a time on a cold day over 60 years ago on January 4, 1952, a very exceptional source of energy was born in South Bend, Indiana. His parents Leroy Sr. and Helen Miller named their healthy baby boy Ronald Miller, and he began an amazing life as the baby of five brothers and two sisters. Ronald was blessed with two wonderful parents who adored him and he certainly was a bright light in his Mother's eyes. Ronald always kept an attentive eye on his Mother and spent a lifetime with her until her death. Leroy and Helen used the "each one, teach one" approach towards parenting. Their style was common; the older youth were totally responsible for teaching the youngsters how to think.

Ronald was loved, guided, and protected by his siblings through his life. Ronald was a happy fun loving person, and his brothers, sisters and close friends enjoyed every single moment and special times shared with him. His friends lovingly started calling him "BABY" and it wasn't long before everyone was affectionately addressing him as "BABY". Ronald loved to cook, BBQ, watch sports and western movies on television. He was well liked by everyone. He especially loved his BBQ cook outs at his home and he would spend countless hours with his friends remembering their school days and neighborhood years. His friends were reliable, trustworthy and dedicated. They loved Baby. Ronald accepted Christ, was baptized and attended Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church during his youth. During his adult years he joined and was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, South Bend, Indiana.

Ronald attended Harrison Elementary and graduated from Washington High School.

He became a welder by trade after attending a trade school in California. Ronald worked several jobs and had to retire due to disability. His last employer was AJ Wright. Basketball, Football, and Softball were a few of the sports that Ronald enjoyed. He was a natural, first learning to play at B.G. Smith Recreation Center, Harrison Elementary where he developed his skills, and later at LaSalle Center with his teammates as they won several basketball and softball championships. As the baby of the Leroy and Helen Group, Ronald learned from his siblings the value of friends, how to give respect to others and demand respect at all times. Under their watchful eyes he was taught fairness, grooming, honesty, obedience, and independence.

Loved ones who preceded him in death were his faithful Father, Leroy Miller Sr., he passed in 1984, his affectionate and devoted Mother, Helen Miller, and she passed in 2011. A loving maternal great, great Aunt Mary Riggins. Maternal grandparents Lillie Bell Sanders and Joe Word. Paternal grandparents Cornish and Mable Miller. Nephew James Hicks, Jr. Great niece Ashley Brazier. Paternal aunts Mary Johnson, Lucille Long, Stormy Hunt, Bertha Foster, Alice Miller. Paternal uncles Rev. Earl Miller and Roy Lee Miller.

Ronald leaves to appreciate and cherish his memories, Five (5) caring brothers, Bobbie Joe (Rebecca) Miller of Compton, CA, Rev. James Edward (Helen) Hicks Sr. of Seattle WA, Thomas Miller of Seattle, WA, Leroy Miller Jr. of South Bend, IN and Raymond (Jennifer) Miller of Marysville, WA. Two (2) loving sisters, Annie Marie (Joseph) Daniels, and Gloria Lee (Donald) White, both of Seattle, WA. Eleven (11) nephews, James (PJ) Daniels, Antoine Reeves, Andre Reeves, Brian Miller, Michael Miller, Elton Harris Sr., Carlos Daniels Sr., Marcus Daniels Sr., Thomas Miller, Tory Miller, Timmothy Miller. Fifteen (15) nieces, Angelia Hicks-Maxie, Michelle A. Miller, Bridgrette Johnson, Pam Miller, Tina Miller, Donnis Catching-Basnight, Catina White, Jacqualine Lenard, Michelle L. Miller, Theresa Miller, MaLinda Miller-Turner, Latonya Miller-Malone, Naisha Brice, Melissa White, Jasmine Miller. He leaves BMG faithful and loyal friends to celebrate and cherish his life, (listed by alphabet) Joe Agnew, John Byers, Sylvester Buckingham Jr., Mike Chism, JoJo, Ivan, William, Jerry Donaldson, Gregory Harges, Caeser Jones, Lawrence "Bodie" Jones, Larry Jones, Parnell Lane, Georgia Macon, Dee McCoy, Gerard Newhouse, Roderick Owens, Freddie Owens, Jeff Phillips, Ronnie Seward. BMG friends who preceded him in death were Clarence Clark, Paul Donaldson, Kenny Dozier, Bobby Love, Charles Miller, and Jerome Seward. Also to cherish his memory are three special friends, and a multitude of family and friends. Ronald will be forever loved and deeply missed by his family and friends. Although he may never walk amongst us as a mortal being, we are forever grateful that each of us had the unique opportunity to have our lives touched by this rare, and once in a lifetime special man. Rest in Peace

Visitation will be held at Alford's Mortuary, 1222 Napier St., South Bend, Indiana on Sunday, July 29, from 2pm to 4 pm. Graveside Services will be Monday, July 30, 1 pm, at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka, Indiana. Meet at Alford's Mortuary at Noon for processional to Fairview Cemetery.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 26, 2012.

05/01/2023 EJS

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