Shirley Nell Suter Miller
Shirley Nell Suter Miller, 90, of Bridgewater, completed her good fight, and finished the race, having kept her faith in her relationship with her personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She passed through the veil into eternal life on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, at the Bridgewater Home's Harmony House.
She was born on September 11th, 1935, and was a daughter of the late Marion H. and Alice (Heatwole) Suter.
Shirley retired from a 50+ year career with Shenandoah Valley Electric Coop in Dayton. Her faith in Christ was lived out as an active member of Beaver Creek Church, where she worshiped and served since her family's move to the Spring Creek Community in May 1951.
Shirley entered into Holy Matrimony on January 21st, 1956, with Galen Royer Miller Jr., who preceded her in death on February 7th, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Steven Miller and brother, Stanley Suter.
Shirley is survived by her son, Mark Miller and wife Mary Jean; a sister, Janet Stepp; sister-in-law, Norma Suter; sister-in-law, Evelyn Sandin, two grandchildren, Ethan Miller (wife Sophia), and Aaron Miller; a great granddaughter, Lucy Miller, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley's "superpower" was in her "meekness" meaning the way she loved and served everyone around her at all times, regardless of her own circumstances.
In God's Holy and Living Word, an aging King David penned in Psalm 37:11, "But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace". In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:5, The Lord Jesus Christ said, "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."
In current Western culture, meekness is viewed negatively as weakness, timidity, or a lack of assertiveness. In contrast, ancient Jewish culture saw meekness as a powerful virtue rooted in humility and a trusting dependence on God, rather than on self.
One example of her love being expressed "outside the lines" was baking a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies, to accompany fresh eggs and bacon, for her grandsons for breakfast. If Shirley has touched your life, may you go now and live likewise!
A service celebrating Shirley's life will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Beaver Creek Church with Pastor Ryan Cooper officiating. Burial will follow at Beaver Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, the family requests anyone who wishes to honor Shirley, to do so, with a donation in her name to the Bridgewater Healthcare Foundation Inc, part of the Bridgewater Retirement Community, at 302 North Main Street, Bridgewater, Virginia, 22812.
