J.T Miller

J. T. Miller was born on April 12, 1924 to Elizabeth Miller Coleman and Lonnie 
Miller in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He departed this life on June 25, 2013 in 
the comfort of his  home, surrounded by Love.  
 
J. T. came to Christ at an early age and he loved and trusted the Lord all of 
his days. He was baptized at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church by the esteemed late 
Pastor Frederick O. Bass, Sr. 
 
J. T. was raised and educated in High Point, NC, graduating from William Penn 
High School in 1942.  He was mentored by the late principal S.E. Burford.   J. 
T. received his Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College after serving his 
country in combat as a Sergeant of an anti-aircraft artillery unit.  J. T. was a 
member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.  He also received his 
Master’s degree from Atlanta University in Political Science. 
 
His greatest achievement was to woo and win the love of his life, Cordelia 
Blackburn.  With Cordelia, also of High Point, he shared almost 52 years of 
marriage until her passing in 1998.  J. T. and ‘C. B’ forged a remarkable bond 
while creating a warm, Christ-loving home for their children.  While they both 
worked hard they also knew how to enjoy life, from bowling together for over 40 
years to the fabulous affairs at Club Harlem in Atlantic City.    
 
J.T. was very industrious all of his life, from delivering government staples 
with his wagon (for a fee, of course) at the age of 8 to working construction 
under his late step-father Sam Coleman to manual labor during summer breaks to 
help pay for college. After moving to Philadelphia in the early 1950’s he 
started out as a parole officer but found his calling as a teacher in the 
Philadelphia School District for over 30 years, specializing in remedial 
reading.  But first and foremost, J. T. was an entrepreneur long before the term 
came into popular usage.  His business ventures were varied and many, with his 
share of setbacks and successes.  He went from developing and marketing a unique 
venetian blind cleaner to owning a restaurant on Ridge Avenue to Insurance to 
the Cosmopolitan Club to Real Estate.  One of his business ventures, the Family 
Medical Center at 22nd and Diamond Streets in Philadelphia is still in business 
today. 
 
His business acumen, hard work, along with his beloved C. B. allowed him to 
retire at age 55 and to continue to enjoy life for the next 34 years. 
 
J. T. possessed wisdom, knowledge of the Word of God and understanding of 
Humanity that made him a mentor and friend to so many.  This knowledge he freely 
shared with all.  He really knew how to make people feel good about themselves. 
 
 
J. T. was predeceased by his parents, step-father, his wife ‘C. B’. beloved son 
Kevin; brothers, Leonard, Theodore and Lenardo and his granddaughter Carvette.  
	He is survived by brother Sam (Mag), his daughter Zara, son Carl Van, 
grandchildren, Jarrod Antoine (Anita), Jairus, Daphne & Dameka, Ptahlifah, 
Kurtis; great grandchildren, Drew, Jamison and Emory and 2 great-great 
grandchildren Emari & Jaevon,       
 
J. T. also leaves very special friends Janet, Pat and Jo Ann. 
	 
	A celebration of his life will commence 11:00am, Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Mount 
Vernon Baptist Church, 716 Leonard Avenue.  Family visitation will begin at 
10:30am at the church.  Interment will be at Carolina Biblical Gardens, 
Jamestown.