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Terry Jo Miller was born March 29, 1949, in Baltimore Maryland, and died unexpectedly Dec. 1, 2023, at age 74 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her death was due to complications from cardiovascular disease.
Terry grew up in Ruxton Maryland, the daughter of Franklin Tyrie Miller and Frances Elizabeth Chenoweth Miller, both deceased. Her brother, Tyrie 'Ty' Martin Miller, preceded her in death. Terry graduated from Towson Senior High School.
As a young woman, Terry worked in a flower shop, a dollhouse and miniatures shop, and a landscaping company in Maryland. She opened her own shop at a rural crossroads in Monkton, Maryland, selling her art and crafts, antiques and whole foods.
Terry had a brief marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Hugh Benet. They lived on a farm where she raised a big garden filled with vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers with her beloved dogs, cats, rabbits and goats. She had a passion for organic growing and companion planting.
In 1982, Terry moved to Elkins, West Virginia, with Gregory Hill, whom she later married. They bought land in Montrose and built their own home. Terry raised their gardens, managed fruit trees and cared for their many animals.
Terry and friends started the Deja Vu shop in Elkins where clothing, housewares and fanciful odds and ends were sold. She had a keen eye for treasures, and loved yard sales and flea markets.
For many years, Terry worked at the Youth Crisis Shelter in Elkins. She was a devoted mentor of teens, and had many young friends with whom she shared her skills, wisdom and sense of humor, even after they left their programs.
Terry later began working at YouthBuild, a local program providing education and hands-on training in construction skills and leadership.
For over a decade, Terry volunteered at the Old Brick Playhouse in Elkins, helping with sets, costumes, lobby and window decorating and the front desk. She also supported many teens in the Old Brick Apprenticeship Program.
Terry was a self-taught artist and craftswoman. She was a proficient weaver, knitter, crocheter, basket maker, seamstress, quilt maker and jewelry maker. She also enjoyed calligraphy, drawing, painting and paper crafting.
All animals were family to Terry. She had a great love of dogs and knew many well. She was also passionate about birds, wolves and bears. Trees were very important to her too. She gave special care to the massive old sycamore and oak trees in her yard.
Terry cared deeply about community and the environment. She was supportive of many environmental and non-profit groups, especially humane societies. Locally, she was a co-founder of, and very active with, Corridor H Alternatives. She was an avid reader with a passion for mysteries and she loved to solve crossword puzzles.
Terry was a loyal friend who maintained close relationships with family and friends throughout her life.
A memorial gathering for Terry will be held at the Old Brick Playhouse in Elkins on Saturday, April 20, from noon to 2 p.m. Donations can be made in her memory to the Apprenticeship Program Scholarship Fund at the Old Brick Playhouse.