MOORESVILLE, N.C.,None — Downtown Mooresville lost one of its longtime champions, Eugene T. "Peanut" Miller, on Sunday. Those who knew him said they will miss Miller's big smile – and his big heart.
Miller, 83, had been a partner in Whit-Miller Shoe Store and Repair for almost four decades.
"I've been here 35 years and he was here before me. He's really one of the founders of downtown Mooresville," said Johnny Smith, owner of John Franklin. "He was genuinely a good guy and he was a blessing to everyone, so upbeat and positive. He will be sorely missed."
Downtown artist and merchant Cotton Ketchie reminisced about strolling down to Whit-Miller and chatting with Miller, who always seemed to have a kind word.
"He gave a real service to the community, and I'm glad he has passed on his wisdom to (Miller's sons) Tony and David," he said. "Whit-Miller has been an anchor in the downtown community and I hope that continues. I will miss him as a friend and a man."
Miller loved horses, Ketchie said, and would often talk about his time spent in Love Valley.
"He was always dressed in cowboy boots and talked about riding," said Ketchie. "He was always smiling and a pleasure to be around. He might have been small in stature, but I really looked up to him."
Miller was born on Jan. 11, 1928, to George Lonzo and "Maggie" Ervin Miller and grew up in Mooresville. He married Maxine "Rusty" Abernathy and worked at Burlington Mills for over 30 years before becoming a partner in Whit-Miller Shoe Store and Repair.
Whit-Miller was originally owned by Boyd Whitlow and eventually co-owned by Boyd's son-in-law and Peanut's brother, Frank. When Whitlow became too ill to work, Frank asked Peanut to help him run the popular downtown shoe store. Miller became a partner in 1973 and has been a facet in downtown Mooresville ever since.
Family members gathered Monday to make arrangements and remembered Peanut fondly.
"He had a really big heart and was always helping people," said Cansas Graham, Miller's granddaughter. "He was a wonderful family man and really lived life to the fullest."
The family laughed as they talked about Miller's dog, Jack, who was often the star of the store and Miller's constant companion.
"He's a rescued pound puppy and he would always say that people asked more about Jack then they did about him," said Cansas, chuckling.
Fellow downtown business owners and friends also shared their thoughts on losing Miller.
"Peanut gave Whit-Miller a friendly, family atmosphere," said Kim Atkins, Executive Director of the Downtown Mooresville Commission. "He never saw a stranger, only a friend, and he was really easy to talk to. I think that running a downtown business as long as he did, with the wonderful customer service he offered, was quite a feat and he will be missed."
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, at 11 a.m. at Centre Presbyterian Church, with burial following at Iredell Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Centre Presbyterian Church, 129 Centre Church Rd in Mooresville or to Serenity House, 110 Centre Church Road. Online condolences can be made at www.cavin-cook.com.
WSOC
