A homegoing celebration for Deacon Leon Miller of Tampa, Florida who passed away on December 28, 2016 will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 2:00 p.m. at St. John Progressive M.B. Church, 2504 E. Chipco St., Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks, Sr., pastor, officiating. The interment will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Deacon Leon Miller was a true Floridian, born on April 10, 1929 in Ocala Florida, to the late Emmanuel Miller and Julia Miller Tillman. Leon attended and graduated from Marion County Schools.Florida has always been his home. As with his dedication to Florida, Leon was the consummate salesman, selling everything from insurance to appliances over his 42 years career in sales.He was employed by Central Life Insurance Company, Sears and retired from Montgomery Wards. Leon was committed to providing excellent care and friendly service to his customers for decades.After retirement, Leon fulfilled his passion for cooking, and started his catering business, Miller's Catering.His specialties of smoked turkeys, ribs, creamy mac & cheese, the best baked beans and his famous punch. His love of great food and his love of serving people was the perfect match. 'Service' ran through his veins and his life was an example of his commitment to serving Christ. From an early age, Leon was baptized under Rev. C.H. Rhodes and served as a deacon under Rev. Masters Ford at St. Paul Baptist Church in the Mount Olive Community. In 1968, Leon moved to Tampa, Florida and quickly united with St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. F.G. Hilton. He was not just active but a dedicated servant at St. John, serving as a Chairman of the deacon board, President of the male chorus and head of the kitchen committee. In his life, Leon touched the lives of so many people, helping others to see the light of Christ with a warm sweet smile and helpful spirit. He was preceded in death by his father, Emmanuel Miller; mother, Julia Miller Tillman and step-father, Sugar Tillman. He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Annie Miller of Tampa Florida; two sons, Leon Miller Jr. (Joyce) of Orlando, Florida and Nathaniel Leon Miller of Tampa, Florida;Four daughters, Hazel Lewis (Alan) of Clearwater, Florida, Rose Miller Thomas (Rev. Leroy) of Dunnellon, Florida, Julia "Faye" Miller Vickers of Daytona Beach, Florida and Wanda Miller Evans (Wendel) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Nine grandchildren, Leon Miller III, Andy Lewis (Renae), Alan Lewis (Shante), Alana Lewis, Trelawney Wise, Sarah Beasley (Demaral), Leah Williams (Anthony), Charles Badie and William "Carson" Evans; Fifteen great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alfonso Richard (Esther) of Ocala, Florida. god-sons, LaDarius Hudson and Tony Carleston; god-daughter, Shirley Faison; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, as well as his beloved, St. John Church family. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, January 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service by 1:45 p.m.

Visitation
Aikens Funeral Home
Friday, January 6, 2017
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
St. John Progressive M.B. Church
Saturday, January 7, 2017
02:00 PM
2504 E. Chipco St
Tampa, FL 33605