Mrs. Nell Ward Miller, 74, died Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at Margate Health and Rehabilitation Center of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. She will be remembered for her kindness to everyone, her steadfast love for her family and friends, her commitment to hard work and her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Mrs. Miller was born September 23, 1936, in Grayson County, Virginia, to Carrie Osborne Ward and Thomas Guy Ward. Her father died when she was just four years old, forcing her to grow up quickly and ensuring that she developed the strength that would carry her through life. She grew up in Independence, Virginia, where in her youth she was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church. She graduated in 1954 from Independence High School, where she was a top student and a star athlete in basketball and softball. On the Monday after she graduated from high school, she went to work at Anvil Brand, and she continued working in textile factories, including Penry Manufacturing, for more than 40 years. Her retirement job was at Shatley Springs Inn, where she made many cherished friends among both the staff and regular customers. She was one of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team's most fervent fans and cheered for them enthusiastically. She also enjoyed NASCAR, traveling and Republican Party events. She had an infectious smile and a quick wit that often broke the room into peals of laughter. A loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she took her greatest joy in her family. She was a member of Grassy Creek Baptist Church for more than 50 years and taught the primary class in Sunday School for many years. She was married for 56 years to Junior Clarence Miller, who died July 22, 2011. They worked hard and raised their daughter lovingly, then enjoyed a semi-retirement full of trips and fun until he suffered a catastrophic illness in 2006. For the next five years, she tirelessly cared for him. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Miller Verner, and her husband, Scott, of Concord, N.C.; three grandsons, Andy, Ben and Matthew Verner; two brothers, Gayle Ward and wife, Doris, of Richmond, Va., and Eugene Ward of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and three sisters-in-law, who were like sisters to her: Eloise Pierce of Grassy Creek, Peggy Eldreth of West Jefferson, N.C., and Kay Baker of West Jefferson. She was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce Ward Cox, and her stepfather, J. Swinton Hash. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 28, 2011, at Boone Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Johnny Huffman and the Rev. Martha Kincaid officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be sent to Hospitality House of Charlotte, 1400 Scott Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203-5844, which provided a home away from home for Nell during Junior's extended treatment at Carolinas Medical Center, or to Grassy Creek Baptist Church, 420 Grassy Creek Road, Grassy Creek, NC 28631.