NEWPORT NEWS - Ernest C. Miller or "Ernie" as otherwise known, slipped peacefully to the other shore November 19, 2025. He was 99 years old. Ernest was born in Denbigh, Virginia on April 10, 1926 to the late Ernest C. Miller and Lenora Mast Miller. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ann Holloway Miller, brothers John and Edward and a sister Lillian Miller. He is survived by a brother, Charles Miller; children Darrell Miller (Jane), Betsy Culotta (John) and Chris Miller (Ronda); grandchildren Elisabeth Vella (Daniel), McKenzie Miller, Jason Culotta (Melissa), Sanford Culotta (Suzanne), Sarah Lemon (Billy) and Emily Wenger (Kendall); great grandchildren Carson and Reed Culotta, Henley and Virginia Vella, Sammy, Blake, Bella and Bonnie Lemon, Arlo and Toby Wenger.
Ernest lived all his life in Denbigh starting in his home on the Warwick River and ending in his home next door. During his youth he lived on Oriana Road across the railroad tracks next to his Mast grandparents. In 1947 he married Ruth Ann and moved back to the homeplace on the Warwick River. After three children were born he built a new brick house next to it where he lived for the rest of his life.
While he lived on Oriana Road, he gave his heart to Jesus and joined Warwick River Mennonite Church where he served the Lord faithfully.
Ernie dropped out of high school to do farm work which gave him a farm deferment from the draft. In 1947 the Yoder Frozen Food Locker Plant was built, and he spent 33 years there starting opening day. After the plant was sold he went to work with his sons at Miller Meats, Inc. until his retirement.
Ernie enjoyed traveling. In the years their children were young there were yearly camping trips up and down East coast. Tent camping upgraded into a truck camper and finally to trailer camping. Other fond trips were to Europe and Paraguay with family and friends.
When Yoder Barn started theater productions about the Mennonite community he enjoyed participating. He also volunteered as a driver for Riverside Convalescent Center, was on the board of directors of Pleasant View Homes and helped with Senior Fellowship programs. His last activities were mowing grass, driving his golf cart and shelling pecans. He looked forward to playing Mexican train dominoes with friends and neighbors to the end.
The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 PM on Friday, November 28, 2025 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 29th at Warwick River Mennonite Church with burial following in Warwick Mennonite Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Warwick River Mennonite Church
(250 Lucas Creek Rd., Newport News, VA 23602).
https://www.wjsmithandson.com/obituary/ernest-miller