Laughter, Memories Highlight Celebration Of Zell Miller’s Life
From left, former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George Bush stand to leave a funeral service for former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller Tuesday in Atlanta.
John Bazemore / Associated Press
Three former presidents, along with clergymen and family, shared memories about one of Georgia’s true sons at a celebration of life service held Tuesday for former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller.
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all spoke at Tuesday’s service at Peacthree Road United Methodist Church. Miller died Friday at the age of 86.
Carter raved about Miller’s political career. He recalled Miller speaking at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
“I don’t think anyone else would’ve thought about speaking as a keynote speaker at two different conventions,” Carter said. “Maybe if I would’ve got him to speak at my second convention I would have been elected again too.”
Miller, a lifelong Democrat, supported George W. Bush’s bid to a second term in 2004.
“Zell announced that he would support my re-election and offered to endorse me at the Republican convention if I thought it would help,” Bush said at the service. “Darn right it would help I told him.”
Miller also assisted Bill Clinton in 1992 on his path to the White House. Clinton said for that, and Miller’s friendship, he owed him and his wife, Shirley Miller, nothing but gratitude.
“My friend, you are finally home,” Clinton said Tuesday. “You fought the good fight. You kept the faith. And those of us who were lucky enough to know you and Shirley are richer for it.”
Miller’s legacy extends beyond those who knew him. He founded Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, which has helped more than 1.8 million Georgians go to college.
Carter said that puts Miller in a category of his own.
“Zell, more than any other governor who’s ever served in the United States of America, has done more for young people’s education,” Carter said.
But it was Miller’s grandson, Bryan Miller, the only family member to speak, who offered the most personal memories.
“He was a mentor to me both personally and professionally,” Bryan Miller said. “I gained more wisdom and knowledge from Zell Miller than any other person I encountered in life.”
He said there was main lesson he learned from his granddad.
“Zell taught us how to live a happy life in service of others,” he said. “May you rest in peace my favorite teacher, my paw paw, until we meet again.”
Tuesday’s funeral was the second of three services for the former governor and U.S. Senator.
Miller’s life was celebrated Monday in his hometown Young Harris, Georgia.
Now, his body will lie in state at the Capitol building until Wednesday when Gov. Nathan Deal will preside over an executive funeral then.
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