Mike’s Story

Site created on October 18, 2018

Welcome to Mike's website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  You DO NOT have to donate to Caringbridge. This site is free and the family is not asking for donations. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Scott Powers


Thank you for walking this path with Mike, Nycole and their close family and friends. I am very much at a loss of words, which is something I am rather unaccustomed to. We lost Mike Sunday night/Monday morning. It is a tragedy for the community and state of Georgia. Mike touched so many people, even ones he never met, through his advocacy for good policy in government, compassion for clients at Miller & Wynn, P.C., passion for the outdoors, hunting, and Labrador Retrievers, and just plain simple gestures for people which often went unrecognized. 

Mike never talked just to be heard or sought the bright lights of the camera or the headlines in the newspaper. He just went about doing what he believed was right, sometimes to his own detriment. He taught me that when we recognize something that needs to be done or see an opportunity to do, by that simple realization and awareness, it is incumbent on us all to do it. He never buried his head in the sand or did the opposite of what he believed because one person or another was tugging at him. If we all saw and did like Mike Miller, this world would be a better place.

Mike Miller came home with hospice care November 5. The past two weeks have passed seemingly overnight. Mike's closest friends knew Mike would not want to be cooped up in a hospital and that being home surrounded by his dogs, wife, son, and a steady stream of those who loved him most, presented the best opportunity for him to recover, if he could recover. Mike's response to being at home was nothing short of a miracle. He took over breathing on his own, drinking from a cup on his own and became far more responsive. He even shooed me away so he could see Nycole sitting on the sofa nearby one evening. I'm glad he had his priorities straight!

That said, the professionals tried to temper our enthusiasm with a bit of reality given the challenges which lay ahead for Mike's recovery. Ultimately the past 48 hours Mike began to show signs that he was ready to go no matter how much we wanted to keep him. He blessed us with his attention and time over the past couple weeks and we realize there are many who don't get this time with their loved ones beforehand. We had time to read all the emails and messages of encouragement from you. We had time to gather and socialize, sip bourbon and laugh and tell stories with him very much present and taking it in. We each, in our own way, had time to worship and pray with him.

He passed surrounded by several close friends and his wife loving him and telling him about all of you and how much of a difference he made on this earth over his 46 years. We know Jesus welcomed him to Heaven and he took a seat among the saints. He is one of the good guys and he will be sorely missed.

Funeral arrangements have been made and are to be announced soon, but for those of you here, you get it first.

Visitation: 
Friday, November 23, 5-7 p.m.
Hightower Funeral Home, 12651 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Douglasville, GA 30134

Service: 
Saturday, November 24, 2 p.m.
Douglasville First United Methodist Church, 6167 Prestley Mill Rd, Douglasville, GA 30134

Thank you for your continued texts, messages, voicemails and hugs. Nycole is overwhelmed (in a good way) by the love of this community of Douglasville. The family appreciate AmVets Post 118 for providing a motorcycle escort for Nycole Miller and family to the church and City of Douglasville Police Department for their escort and Color Guard at the two services. I rode by the County Courthouse and saw the flags at half-mast last night and just about had to pull over and recompose myself. A special thank you to Mike Brookshire for playing at the service Saturday. Thank you to Hightowers Memorial and Douglasville First United Methodist Church for all your assistance. Thank you to the various media and news outlets that recognized Mike's impact on Georgia and have begun to share his story. I think it would be truly humbling to him.

Stay tuned for information about where donations can be made in lieu of flowers and any other pertinent details.

All the best,
Scott

 

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