Obituary For Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Miller

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Miller

March 22, 1927 January 22, 2004
76 Years 10 Months 0 Days
National Treasurer
Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.

Birth   Virginia

Resided In:   Los Angeles, California

Transition:   Los Angeles, California

Service Time:   Saturday
January 31, 2004
10:00 a.m.
Southern Missionary Baptist Church
4678 W. Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to service time
Rev. Joe L. Gates, Pastor
Tribute Service
Friday January 30, 2004
7:00 p.m.
Southern Missionary Baptist Church
4678 W. Adams Blvd.

Cemetery:   Rose Hills Memorial Park
Whittier, California

O b i t u a r y

Born March 22, 1927 in Virginia to the union of Herman Johnson and Ada C. Woods-Johnson, who later united in marriage to Walter R. Reed, who proved to be a loving and caring step-father through the years. She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour at an early age in the Methodist Church. After relocating to Baltimore, MD she visited the "Holiness Church" where she received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. She later relocated to New York City in 1952 where she united with the Christian Tabernacle Church under the leadership of Reverend William Morris O'Neile. She served on the Usher Board (where she was known as a "shouting" usher), and Medium (Prophets) Board, which she was blessed to serve as President on each board. This began her journey into ordained ministry. While living in New York City, she was known for being a "blessing" to those who may have been less fortunate, and struggled to make ends meet. She was a beautician for many years, and would often charge the children only 50 cents to have their hair done. She also worked at the A & P Market as a cashier.

Following the vision of newly elevated Archbishop O'Neile, she relocated to Los Angeles, California on April 19,1969 and joined the new monument of truth, Universal Tabernacle of Deliverance, Inc. During this same year, she was joined in marriage to Reverend Stanley Bernard Miller.

In July 1971, she was ordained under the ministry of Archbishop O'Neile. She continued to develop her gifts of discernment, healing, prophecy and ministry of miracles, while always demonstrating her strong leadership abilities, "agape" love, and Spiritual Truth. Archbishop O'Neile began personally training Reverend Miller in the work of the ministry.

Reverend Miller was known for always offering the gift of her "Aunt Liz's Soul Food" kitchen ministry. We all reminisce about the many years of those Sunday dinners after church that started in New York City and continued to Los Angeles. This ministry brought all the people together, no matter what their position in life was. There were nc big I's or little U's in the Miller household, everyone was treated with love. The menu was always created and served with much love. Who can forget those Chicken and Dumplings, Liver and Onions, Roast Beef with Potatoes, Bar-B-Que Pig Feet,,Mustard/Collard/Turnip Greens, Cabbage, Lemon Icebox Pies, The Peach Cobbler, and Red Velvel Cake- just to name a few. She always cooked rutabagas for Archbishop O'Neile every Sunday morning even if h( ate somewhere else or dined out. Her ministry extended past that famous "dinner" hour, for she always offered yoi more food to take home for your lunch the next day. She has cooked for some of the greatest ministers of our time Archbishop William Morris O'Neile and Reverend James Cleveland just to name a few. One of Pastor Miller's greates joys in life was her service to others, rather than to be served.

Reverend Miller had worked at UCLA for nineteen years as Auditor and Head Cashier when the Lord spoke to he and told her He had a more important job for her to do; Gods plan was elevation from a "Doorkeeper" to God "Housekeeper" in Pastoral Ministry. "Feed My Sheep" was Gods call to Reverend Miller on April 11, 1982. She wa installed as an Assistant Pastor and continued to demonstrate her leadership abilities in the local church as the Buildin Fund Treasurer, President of the Ministers Board, and on the Board of Directors.

Two years after our founder Archbishop William Morrie O'Neile made his transition, Reverend Elizabeth Mille was elected "Pastor." She was installed as Pastor on February 22, 1987 by the late Dr. I. Logan Kearse, Internationi President of Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc. In the same year, Reverend Elizabeth Miller receive' her Doctorate Degree from The Apostolic Christian College. In 1989, she was elected to the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc., where she served as National Treasurer and State Supervisor of California, District Number 4.

Pastor Miller always expressed a divine and special love for children. She nourished them spiritually, maternally and materially, as well as setting an example for them. The children and the young adults were an extension of her ministry. She always shared gifts of love with the children and adults during the Easter and Christmas seasons.

Pastor Miller had a remarkable quality of communicating with everyone on their level. Her ability to express and show love helped people to forget their worries and find joy in something she said to encourage and lift them up. She was affectionately called "PASTOR" by her congregation and well wishers alike. She always expressed and demonstrated "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE" in her unique and miracle-working ministry, not only to her members, but to everyone she met. She had a ministry of compassion, and always offered an encouraging and uplifting word, something to eat, or was a finanical blessing to many. Pastor was not only a Pastor, but a "Mother." Her role as a Mother was extended not only to her biological family, but to many countless "spiritual children" across this country.

Pastor Miller was known for some very unique sermons. One other first statements of truths revealed by the Spirit to her was, "You Must Be Happy." This was revealed to her while decorating a birthday cake for her daughter Gwen. She began to write "Happy Birthday" on the cake, and God gave her to write, "You Must Be Happy." This ministered and brought great deliverance not only to her daughter, but so many others who heard this message. She continues lifting our hearts and minds with the many words of wisdom spoken down through the years which we shall never forget: "Rise Above It", "Sweep it Under the Carpet", "Step Back and Let God Do It", "He's an On-Time God", "From Teardrops to Diamonds", "I Give You Jesus", and her last message on the last Sunday Evening Service of 2003 (December 28, 2003)- "God Allows You to Make U-Turns!"

Pastor Miller involved herself in every aspect of church work even with overseeing every building relocation and remodel. She would often pull up a chair and supervise, and feed the workers as they worked, she even knocked down a wall or two when necessary. Pastor Miller always ensured that the "Tabernacle" sanctuary was a beautiful and comfortable place to worship. Pastor Miller coordinated the recent relocation of the Tabernacle during the last National Convention of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ in July 2003, to their present location at 8514-16 South Broadway Avenue in Los Angeles.

God truly anointed Pastor Miller with a Miracle, Healing and Deliverance ministry. God used her in some very unusual and unique ways. She anointed and blessed many handkerchiefs and bottles of olive oil. She also worked with water to bless and anoint many of the saints. She often laid hands on the saints as the Spirit of God would direct her-and many were delivered. Pastor Miller believed in blessing the Lord at all times. She believed in the "holy dance." She believed in the "holy kiss" and blew us those world-renowned "kisses" and blessed the saints all over the world.

Realizing that God was ushering her into another transitional time period, she began to push and make things happen for her loved ones: her husband, children, the church family and friends. She joined the First Church Of Deliverance in Chicago, Illinois on March 31, 2002 under the leadership of Bishop Otto "Butch" Houston; Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs, Founder. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson-Miller endured a short illness, but continued to smile and give out her love to all who were by her side. On Thursday morning January 22, 2004 with Bishop Miller, Robert, Gwen, and church family by her side. God lovingly received her spirit back to him, gave her rest from this earthly labor and allowed her to enter into the joy of the Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 35 years, Bishop Stanley Bernard Miller; one daughter- Gwendolyn "G" Reed, one son- Robert Lee Miller; two grandsons- Robert Duante Miller and Zion Trammell Miller; one aunt- Mrs. Mary Moss; many cousins; The Universal Tabernacle Church Family, and a host of friends and extended family.

Dowd & Gonzalez Funeral Home (Bishop LeRoy Dowd Owner)
301 E. 84th St.
Los Angeles, CA 9003
323-778-0515