Return to the Land

living. The cause of the fire remained questionable leaving him doubtful of the wisdom to rebuild. This was an opportunity that gave Aunt Pearl the reason to persuade Miller to sell out and move away. In 1947, they sold all their property and belongings on Kimberling. There was an auction at their home to sell farm machinery and small items. Earl Jordan Miller , Edgar’s younger brother, bought their home and lived there with his family the remainder of his life. The home would burn down a year after Earl’s death. Aunt Pearl’s life in the country had come to an end much to her satisfaction. She would return to town and her home in Dublin on Dunbar Street. Edgar again drew on his business experience and with the money from the sales of his holdings built a restaurant known as Miller’s Café . On the second floor were their personal living quarters and rooms for rent. There was a bar and a room for serving meals. In the front was a large red upholstered chair where Edgar would sit and discuss the affairs of the world with his customers. If he were playing the fiddle one could not place an order until he was finished. His only grandson, Mike Thompson, learned at an early age the song Casey Jones from his grandpa in this chair. When I was a child my parents and I would often visit Miller’s Café on Sunday afternoons. I would be given a large ice cream container that would consume my afternoon. Miller family talk and politics would occupy the adults. Edgar was a gentle person and calm even in acute situations in contrast to Pearl who did not hesitate in expressing her emotions. As a child I respected Uncle Edgar and had a fond liking of Aunt Pearl. She was kind to me and would praise me for any meager accomplishment. They were religious and civic minded. Edgar was a Republican and felt small government would be less meddling in peoples’ lives . He became an Oddfellow and Pearl served in the Ladies Auxiliary as a Rebekkah. Pearl was an excellent cook and they would often invite their preacher home for Sunday supper. Edgar was straightforward and honest to whom truthfulness was sacred. He maintained a beautiful handwriting, read extensively and used his Gregg shorthand throughout his life. He was supportive of his family and his siblings particularly his youngest sister Lenore during her time of strife. He was firm with his adversaries but gentle in his daily relationships. As a teenager in high school I was given the privilege of driving this family to Detroit, Michigan to visit my Aunt Stella and Au nt Marie, Edgar’s sisters. What a great experience that was. Everyone treated me royally and Uncle Edgar and Aunt Pearl were always gracious to me when I would make wrong turns. One night I made a wrong turn in Chillicothe , Ohio and traveled west for several hours. In the early morning when they awoke and realized we were about to enter Indiana they all merely laughed and politely pointed me in the right direction. I was humbled but they thought it was hilarious. Their car was a new 1952 four door Chevrolet Powerglide and I felt like the king of the road. Later as they became more successful Uncle Edgar bought a new white Chrysler Imperial and I knew then that they had reached the pinnacle of success.

On August 21, 1974, at the age of 81 while visiting Margie in Columbia, South Carolina, Edgar suffered a stroke and never fully recovered. He died before he could return to Virginia.

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