Nancy Miller
Nancy Ann Nix Miller, 59, of Chesterfield, Mo., died Thursday (January 31, 2008), as the result of a violent crime in her home.
A spirited, spunky individual with a ready smile for everyone, she was born November 6, 1948, in El Dorado, Arkansas, the first child of Benjamin Edison Nix, Jr. and Vivian Lucille Garrett Nix.
Ms. Miller’s steadfast commitment to journalism began when she was a student at El Dorado High School. Inspired by her teacher, Ruth Jenkins, Ms. Miller served as an editor of both the school newspaper and yearbook. After graduating from high school in 1966, she earned a degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. While in college, Ms. Miller worked part-time for the El Dorado Daily News, writing for the society section.
After graduating from college in 1970, Ms. Miller worked as a reporter at the Northwest Arkansas Times in Fayetteville and the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock, one of two state-wide papers at the time. In 1971, she married Wayne Gordon Miller. The marriage ended in 1975.
In 1977, Ms. Miller left her job as assistant city editor at the Arkansas Democrat to accept a position at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a career there that spanned nearly 30 years, Ms. Miller worked as a copy editor, St. Charles bureau chief, suburban editor, assistant metro editor and editor of the Lifestyle magazine. In that position, every Saturday Ms. Miller penned a bright, breezy introduction to the weekly section, sharing warm-hearted stories from her life and earning a devoted fan base of readers.
Ms. Miller retired from the Post-Dispatch in June 2007. Recently, she worked with journalism students at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park and served as advisor to The Scene, the student newspaper – new challenges that both energized and inspired her.
Ms. Miller loved her work, her family, her friends, reading, good music, and trying new recipes and restaurants. She was a meticulous editor, a generous colleague, and she served as a mentor to many young journalists over the years. Just like her mother, Ms. Miller will be remembered as a witty, smart, fun-loving, organized woman who loved life.
Ms. Miller was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her longtime companion Peter Manion of St. Louis; four siblings: Benjamin Garrett Nix and wife Kathryn Ann of Benton, Arkansas; Dr. Richard Alan Nix of Little Rock, Arkansas; Jena Nix Williams and husband George of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vivian Adele Nix and husband Eric Nelson of Durham, North Carolina; and nine nieces and nephews: Sarah Kathryn Nix, of Ruston, Louisiana; Garrett Thomas Nix of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Eric Benjamin Nix of Benton, Arkansas; Jordan Gatling Nix, Madison Michelle Nix, Julianna Lee Nix and Benjamin Lowry Nix, all of Little Rock, Arkansas; Mary Williams Griffin and husband Nick of Memphis, Tennessee; and Kathleen Ann Williams of Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
My sympathies to all family and friends of Nancy. I was shocked and saddened by this tragedy. I looked forward to reading her column every week. It was like reading a letter from an old friend, and I missed that when she retired. She will be missed, but not forgotten.
Our prayers are with you
What a tragedy! My sympathy and prayers to her family and friends. Her column in Lifestyle Magazine was the first thing I read on Saturday mornings. My neighbor and I discussed her interesting, amusing, down-to-earth column every week. It was like reading a letter from an old and dear friend. No disrepect to her column successor, but I can’t relate to her like I could to Nancy. Grateful for the opportunity to have been able to read and enjoy her column as she shared a corner of her interesting life with her readers. Hopefully, Nancy’s family and friends have many happy memories of her to help to console them.
To Vivian and family, we send our deepest regrets and fondest remembrances of you and your family living and growing up with us in El Dorado. The many hours I worked with your mom on PTA and other projects, the hours you and Rebecca spent together are precious memories. Our prayers and love to you and the entire family. Worth and Janis
Dear Family and Friends of Nancy, … I am so sorry for your loss … I enjoyed so much reading Nancy’s column, esp when she wrote about her mom and the situations to deal with at that time … i even posted an email to Nancy at that time, and she responded … my mom died at almost age 99 on 01 July 2006, so i could empathize with her every thought and moment … be sure you grieve, as it’s so important for you all … it’s so hard to say good-bye to a loved one, when you’re not ready to do so … i pray courage and endurance for you thru this time, and that you will be able to be GLADDER that you had Nancy in your life, than madder or sadder that you lost her …
Sincerely, Suzy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
My sincere sympathy to each of you each day. Your family meant much to me. Vivian and I were friends, and because she was the baby in her fun family, and I was the oldest, she had much to teach me. I thought Vivian and Jena knew everything, and they, in turn, must have learned it from Nancy. She leaves an amazing legacy for which she will be long remembered.
My thoughts & prayers are with each & everyone of the family. What a horrible tradgedy.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay East
Although I didn’t know your sister, I felt like I did. I looked forward to my Saturday letter from her in the Post Dispatch. When she retired, I told my husband I was sad because I wouldn’t be reading her funny, sweet stories any longer. My heart is broken for your family and all of her friends who were lucky enough to be part of her life. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
I was heartbroken when I heard about Nancy’s brutal murder. I read her column in Life Style and looked forward to it every week. Her stories told me about her and the type of person she was. I felt like I knew her. I was so very disappointed when she left and the paper has just not been the same. She truly is irreplaceable. Even though I didn’t know her except through the paper I want her family to know that she affected me in many good ways and I’m sure I’m not alone. I didn’t know that we were the same age but kind of thought we might be. It breaks my heart that she’s gone but I will never forget her.
So shocked and saddened. I knew Nancy only through her column in Lifestyle but still I felt that I knew her. I looked forward to her wonderful stories each Saturday morning. God be with all of her family & friends at this very difficult time.
Jena, Kathleen and Mary,
I am so sorry for this terrible tragedy that has taken the life of your dear sister and aunt. Although I never met Nancy, I am sure that she was an intelligent, strong and loving woman because I see those characteristics in the three of you. I pray that you will find the inner strength you need to get you through these very sad days.
I didn’t know Nancy, but felt like I did..like she would be an immediate friend. I had coffee with her on Sat mornings. I was always warmed reading her stories of her friends and family and their gatherings. I was sad when she left the Post, but much sadder now. My deepest sympathies and prayers go to all of you who knew and loved her.
Dear Family and Friends of Nancy Miller,
I too was shocked to hear of the death Nancy Miller. I couldn’t wait to get to the Lifestyle magazine on Saturday mornings for the special treat of reading Nancy’s column. She was so down to earth, but also very interesting and lively – she truly felt like a friend. I had often thought of sending her a note, but did not do so. The least I can do now is to let all of you know how much she affected so many people in her life. I have missed her since she was retired from the Post-Dispatch. That lighthearted and warm touch is gone. My deepest condolences to all.
Nancy Thomas
Dear Family of Nancy,
I can only echo the shock and disbelief of reading of Nancy’s death. As a small town reader of the Post, I looked forward to reading Nancy’s column each Saturday in the Lifestyle section. I too felt like I knew her and knew I would like her if we ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. There is a sad place in my heart because of her passing.
Sincerely, Teresa Wenzel
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Nancy Miller.
Although I did not know Nancy personally I felt like
I did. I looked forward to her wise and witty columns in the Post-Dispatch every Saturday. I have
missed her since she retired but now truly feel like
I have lost a dear friend.
Nancy was a dear sweet person and friend. We shared many good times during high school in El Dorado, AR. I am deeply saddened by her death. She was always uplifting to be with and never lost her sense of humor. She will be missed.
Condolences to Nancy’s family, to Peter and to her friends. Reading Nancy’s column was a Saturday ritual. When she announced her leaving the P-D, I meant to write to her and thank her for her graciousness. I put it off — sorry!
My heart goes out to Nancy’s family and close friends. I felt like I knew her and had for years!!! Loved her stories. She made my day every Saturday morning. She truly had a way of making us feel at home with her. What a talent and what a lovely person.
I offer Nancy’s family and friends sincere sympathies along with a message of hope that God will sustain us through such a terrible tragedy. Nancy’s Lifestyle messages were a highlight of my weekend reading. I certainly loved to hear the stories of her life (one example was the robot vacuum gift).
I am so sorry to hear about Nancy’s untimely death. She was the best editor I’ve ever had and because I went on to work at the New York Times and Washington Post, that’s a hefty compliment. She was my mentor when I was coming up in the business, and I was so impressed by the way she always took time to carefully teach me the best of her talents as a reporter and an editor with the touch of a kind soul. That’s rare in this business. I haven’t seen Nancy in years, but miss her already. Anne Farris
my most sincere condolences to nancy’s family. tho i only “knew” nancy thru her column these last years in “lifestyle”, i really did feel i knew her to an extent. she put so much of herself into that column, so personal, fun and warm. how she loved her family and friends! and, no doubt, she will be very sadly missed. be brave and address your loss as you know she would want you to.