Fennis Miller

Fennis Miller was born in Berrien County, on November 1, 1942, to the late Lossie Lee Miller and Ava Nell Browning Miller. Fennis passed away peacefully at Langdale Hospice House on August 25, 2025, after a lengthy illness. From his early childhood, along with his many brothers and sisters, he understood the value of hard work. After graduating from Lanier County High, he moved in with his grandmother, Granny Lizzie, and began working at Standard Oil Station for Bennie Pafford. He later worked at Standard Container and Nashville Mills, where he discovered his gift for solving complex problems and his passion for wiring. This passion for wiring led him to encounter an elderly plumber in the Lakeland area who also taught him plumbing. These skills served him well after he started his first business as a plumber and electrician. He took pride in the quality of work he produced, and with his friends Wayne and Burt, built several homes in Lakeland.
He was married to the love of his life, Carolyn Jean Carter, for 61 years. Together they were loving spouses, business partners, parents, and grandparents. Fennis was often heard saying, “I make the living, and my wife makes life worth living.” If you ever saw him with her, you knew he meant every word.
While building houses, he met Mr. Ward, a local septic tank installer who sold him his backhoe and dump truck. From that opportunity, Miller Septic Tank Company was born. Together with his wife, they installed more than 3,000 septic tanks across the Southeast from the Okefenokee Swamp campground to Moody Air Force Base.
While operating Miller Septic Tank Company, he honed his skills as a backhoe operator, and eventually transitioned into the swimming pool installation business. At first, he dug holes for another contractor, but with his trademark drive and skills, by the 1970s, he and Carolyn had launched The Pool Store in Lakeland, Georgia. They started with vinyl liner pools and later moved to building gunite pools; installing 50–55 pools a year. Over his career, he built hundreds of pools across South Georgia—many for returning customers. Though he might not have remembered every name, he could always recall a face, tell you where they lived, the type of pool; and, almost always, a unique story. The pools he built were each a testament to his dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Fennis also trained many other backhoe operators. He retired in 2007, but even after retiring, Fennis was often approached by previous customers asking if he would do “just one more pool.” True to his nature, retirement was short-lived, as he soon took on a new role and devoted the next decade to helping his cherished friend, Judith Hathcock, in her endeavors.

Fennis’ hobbies included working hard and quail hunting. He enjoyed many years of hunting with his friends Earl Connell, Hosie O’Steen, and Larry Lee. Later in life, after a chance encounter with his daughter and her new golf clubs, he traded in his gun for a golf club. Golf was his new favorite pastime, as he loved the challenge and coordination needed to play. Fennis enjoyed golfing with friends Jimmy Benefield, Joe Brogdon, and Richard Dembrowski whenever the opportunity arose, cherishing the moments, memories and friendships built on the course. He was instantly recognizable on the course because he was the only one wearing boots.
Along with his parents, Fennis is preceded in death by his two sisters, Eloise Sirmans and Hilda Faye Miller and four brothers, Jerry Miller, Skeet Miller, Willis Miller and Raymond Miller.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Carolyn Jean Carter Miller; daughters: Mandy Miller (Patrick Aldridge) of St. Simons Island, GA, Amy Stecz (Daren) of Valdosta GA, Garna Giddens (Brian) of Nashville, Ga; grandchildren: Austin Stecz (Deborah) of Ocala, FL, Katelin Stecz of Miami, FL, and Jarrett Giddens of Alabama; great grandchildren: Conner Hilton and Ian Hilton (Roxanne Reed) both of Ocala, FL; brothers and sisters: Lavern Miller (Margaret) of Homerville, GA, Janice Harnage of Lakeland, GA, Gerald Miller (Nancy) of Covington, GA and Deneen Miller of Tifton, GA; nephews and nieces: Darrell and Cheryl Sirmans, Geralda McCord, Robert Miller, Patsy Miller, Angela Miller, Kenneth Miller, Jamie and Janise Miller, Gaylon Miller, Tammy Miller, Teresa Miller, Lisa Johnson, Ash and Christie Miller, Adam and Shannon Miller, and Josh Magallanes; mentor and friend for life, Lucious Wilson and his wife and daughter, Gail and Dean Wilson of Valdosta, GA; and a wealth of wonderful friends that have been with him from 5 to 65 years. He was truly blessed to have so many true friends and was always grateful for the time they took to come see him after he got sick. It meant more to him (and his family) than he or they would every been able to express.
The family would like to make a special mention of the pall bearers, who all worked alongside Fennis during his career. He was grateful for their dedication and hard work. It is fitting that these gentlemen are with him on his final walk: Russell Harrell, Randolph Wright, Thomas Puente, Jim Brown, Carlos Arellano, and Chris Watson. Fennis always believed that three others would be here to see him on his last journey: Sam, who returned to Mexico to take care of his family, but checked on him often and retained a special place in Fennis’ heart. Among the others were dear friends, Ronnie Kent and Bobby Watson, whose passing before him broke Fennis’ heart.
Fennis will be remembered for his hard work, passion, and the lasting impact he made in his community. He was truly “one of a kind.”
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Valdosta Chapel of Music Funeral Services. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the funeral home. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Miller family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.
The family will always be grateful for the care and respect shown to Fennis by his personal caregiver and friend, Robbie Delk, and the Langdale Hospice House nursing staff during his last days. Flowers are welcomed, but if you feel led to make a donation, the family requests that donations be made to Langdale Hospice House.