An Angel in Our Midst

Her students loved her. Their parents loved her as well, because in so many ways, she taught them just as she taught their children.

 

Throughout her 49 years in education, the last 39 of which she spent brightening the halls of Collegiate, Debbie was an absolute master at conveying classroom lessons to Lower and Middle School children, but it was her depth of character, genuine kindness and compassion, empathetic nature, and steadfast dedication to her faith, family, and friends that truly set her apart.

 

On Feb. 16, Debbie slipped peacefully away following a valiant encounter with pancreatic cancer. While the disease may have weakened her body, it never came remotely close to intimidating her or diminishing her indomitable spirit.

 

“It is difficult to think of Collegiate without Debbie Miller,” said Head of School Jeff Mancabelli. “She was someone who inspired others, led with heart, and shaped the culture that defines our community. Her genuine care for the students and everyone she encountered will be remembered always. It was a privilege to know Debbie and work alongside her.”

 

A native of Morgantown in Butler County, Kentucky, Debbie arrived at Collegiate in the late summer of 1986 when her husband Bill became minister of music at Second Baptist Church.

 

She and Bill had married Aug. 10, 1974, when they were students at Western Kentucky University, where she double majored in elementary education and music and earned straight A’s while working 39 hours a week in a drugstore.

 

After graduating in 1976, she served both as a music teacher and classroom teacher in several school districts in her home state and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville in 1979.

 

During her 18 years in Collegiate’s Lower School, Debbie taught, at various times, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade, then crossed the bridge to the Middle School, where she taught 6th Grade language arts and served as an advisor and grade-level technology lead teacher for six years.

 

Always willing to accept new challenges, she moved into administration, first as an assistant head of the Middle School (2010-2014), then as Collegiate’s Academic Dean (2014-2015), and, beginning in 2015, as head of the Lower School.

 

Though her heart was always in the classroom, Debbie proved to be an excellent administrator who provided Solomonic wisdom and led with the same guide-on-the-side approach that had endeared her to her students and their families.

 

Just as she earned their love and respect, likewise she was, almost from day one, a trusted confidant, respected counselor, and dear friend to so many of her colleagues.

 

Throughout her career, Debbie also wholeheartedly supported her sons Brent ’98 and Alan ’04 and their families, doted on her and Bill’s five grandchildren, and engaged fully in the life of her church. 

 

To her, each endeavor was a labor of love. To the amazement of so many, she somehow found the time and summoned the energy to handle a rigorous schedule with joy and a beaming countenance.

 

What better way to acknowledge Debbie’s impact as a leader, nurturer, mentor, and friend and to celebrate a life well-lived than to hear the thoughts, remembrances, and reflections of her colleagues? 

 

~The children were her top priority. She did not rest until each child was heard, every parent question answered, and all teacher needs met.

 

~She had a gift for bringing positivity to challenging moments and was the first to jump in and help. Working with Debbie was an incredible gift.

 

~She modeled love, grace, and dignity. Humble to a fault, she thought of those around her before she ever thought of herself.

 

~Debbie was the epitome of commitment. Her work ethic and coffee drinking are legendary as is the depth of her kindness and empathy. She possessed a unique combination of warmth and strength.

 

~Debbie’s ability to relate to children was exceptional. She saw potential in all her students, she challenged them to be the best they could be, and she held them accountable to learn and achieve beyond, perhaps, their own expectations. She took joy in their accomplishments while remaining in the background herself.

 

~She had the uncanny ability to raise her own children as well as help raise the children of others.

 

~She modeled the concept of academic excellence with compassion.

 

~Debbie was as good an administrator as she was a teacher. Adults rallied around her and wanted to do their very best for her. She never led from a position of power or authority. She was always the consummate teammate. She made all of us better.

 

~Debbie was always open to new ideas and never feared change. She was willing to change the tires and reconfigure the engine if that’s what Collegiate needed.

 

~She had a heart of gold and a sense of loyalty to Collegiate and her own family that was truly profound.

 

~At the end of the day, Debbie was always the most ethical and faithful person in every interaction. She was true-blue. She didn’t just take the high road. She lived every moment of her life on it.

 

~She truly loved her children, past and present, like they were her own. Her level of interest in them was real. You could see in her eyes the joy they brought her.

 

~Imparting knowledge was only part of Debbie’s work. She fostered curiosity. Her students learned to love the process of learning. They didn’t fear it. They didn’t avoid it, and they embraced it because she modeled that joy and commitment to learning and curiosity.

 

~Indefatigable, resilient, and resolute, Debbie was, and remains, a pillar of strength and difference maker in the lives of so many.

 

~She was the best.

 

Here’s a quick Debbie Miller story.

 

Brent, a Collegiate Upper School history teacher and head boys track coach, and his wife Elizabeth have two children: Annie and Henry. Alan, the minister at Orange Baptist Church, and his wife Mary Beth have three: Sarah Embry, Holton, and Elliott.

 

Debbie’s grandchildren have always called her DD. When Annie ’30 and Henry ’32 began Lower School, other children picked up on “DD” and began calling her that rather than Mrs. Miller, sometimes to the chagrin of their parents.

 

The name stuck, and Debbie loved the fact that it did. Totally unpretentious and welcoming, she enjoyed the informality and the family touch it provided. Debbie Miller, you see, was all about family, both hers by blood and hers on North Mooreland Road.

 

Debbie’s diagnosis was stunning, but she faced her challenges with uncommon strength and courage, never submitted to self-pity, and never, ever questioned her faith.

 

In fact, those who knew her, especially those close to her, knew full well that it was her strong faith in Jesus Christ that guided her through this “momentary affliction” and assured her that she would one day ascend into her heavenly home.

 

Truly an angel in our midst, Debbie Miller fought the good fight. She kept the faith. Today will pass. Her legacy will endure.

~Weldon Bradshaw