Obituaries

Teddie Sage Miller

Teddie Miller of Hampton, Virginia passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, July 29, 2022, after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Sage, and mother, Doris Parks Sage, both of Anawalt, West Virginia. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Keith Miller of Hampton, Virginia; daughter, Christie Cole (husband Don Cole) of Puyallup, Washington; daughter, Diana Miller (husband Joel Shapiro) of Richmond, Virginia; grandchildren, Hannah, Savannah, and Dylan Cole of Puyallup, Washington; sister, Carla Horn (husband Roy Horn) of Welch, West Virginia; and niece, Rebecca Horn of Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Born in Bluefield, West Virginia on July 14, 1959, Teddie was raised in Anawalt and relocated to Bluefieldafter her parents’ untimely deaths  when she was 15. It was there that she met Keith at Bluefield High School. The high school sweethearts married soon after Teddie graduated, on September 1, 1977, and embarked on a lifetime of adventure when Keith joined the U.S. Air Force the following year. Starting out in Hampton, where both of their daughters were born, the family moved to Okinawa, Japan in 1986 where they stayed for nine years. Over the course of Keith’s 30-year military career, the family moved several more times, with stints in North Carolina, another on Okinawa, and Texas, before settling for good back in Hampton in 2005.

Throughout it all and at every station, Teddie worked tirelessly to create a warm, welcoming home and to maintain a sense of consistency amid the chaos of international and intracontinental moves. A wonderful cook, she was at her happiest when she was caring for her family and friends. She understood that, especially in a far-flung location like Okinawa where everyone lacked the support network often provided by extended family, building a community of friends and neighbors was crucial to sustaining feelings of normalcy, security, and happiness, and her home was often a hub of that community.

Teddie was the epitome of a great military spouse who supported Keith’s military career in every wayshe could by approaching each move with a positive outlook and zero complaints. She found joy as a mother and in every aspect of raising her  children, from the day-to-day to the amazing birthday parties she planned and hosted for them every year. She was proud of her daughters and everything they accomplished at every stage of their lives. She was also a loving and proud grandmother and enjoyed any time she got to spend with her three grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd , between 5:00 and 7:30 P.M. at the Peninsula Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be held the following morning, August 4th , 9:00 A. M., at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd, Suffolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA  23601.

 

 

6 Comments

  1. Dora (Davis) Yates

    I have such fond memories of Teddy. Her mother was my Sunday school teacher and I was privileged to be in their home many times over the years. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

  2. Pam Dunkelberger

    Keith, Christie and Diana, I am so very sorry! Teddie was a wonderful friend. I will always remember the time that we shared together in Okinawa. She was the best and loved all of you so much! I am really so very sorry for all of you and I pray that you will find strength in the days to come.

  3. Sanford and Karen Shapiro

    Karen, myself, and the Ashby family are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to Keith,Diana, and Christie.

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