Robert "Bob" E. Miller

Bob was born in Ashford, Alabama, one of seven children to Albert and Nettie Miller on February 11, 1935. Realizing that farm life wasn’t for him, he left Alabama at age 17 to explore his future. Bob began in his career in the citrus industry working in the mailroom at Minute Maid. He promptly caught the attention of management, but he turned his attention to one of the executive assistants and, after diligently pursuing her, talked her into marrying him a few months after their first date. Bob and Verline were married Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956, on her 19th birthday. A few years later Bob was chosen to be the “Look of the Leader” by Minute Maid and he represented the citrus industry at the national sales convention in Miami. Associated Coca Cola Bottling Co., lured Bob away in 1967 to be sales manager and soon promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Doric Foods, the company that produced Sunny Delight. Mount Dora became the national headquarters of Sunny Delight with two additional locations added in California and Ohio. He retired from the citrus and food business in 1989 but he never retired from his service to his church or community. Bob was selfless in his time and support, especially for his family. He was not one for a lot of talk (his high school yearbook wrote that he was “a quiet man, but quite a man”), but he possessed patience and a continuous need to serve. A humble man, his acts and deeds were often not known. Bob always recognized the needs of others and helped them meet those needs. He became extremely active in the First Baptist Church in Mount Dora in 1955. He was a teacher, deacon, youth director, chaired the benevolent committee, and helped in other areas where he was needed. He helped create the prison ministry with the youth and was passionate about visiting shut-ins and those in hospitals and nursing homes. Bob’s belief and support in the community was also apparent. While President of the Kiwanis Club, he mentored students in the Key Club of Mount Dora High School. He was past Vice President of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and past President of Open Door, which is now Life Stream Behavioral Center. In 2009 Bob and Verline were instrumental in establishing Orphans’ Rock, a non-profit ministry. The ministry began as a thrift shop to help support the needs of children in an orphanage in Sumi, Ukraine. The store quickly grew, and the ministry was able to help numerous organizations, churches, and charities throughout central Florida. Orphans’ Rock was sold to The First Baptist Church of Umatilla in 2020 and still thrives today. Bob is survived by his wife, Verline of 66+ years, son and daughter-in-law Michael and Donna, daughter Saleesa and her finance Derek Henry, and grandson Chace and wife Kate. Our Heavenly Father welcomed Bob home on March 8, 2023 saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.
Memorial donations may be made in Bob's name in lieu of flowers to Orphan's Rock, 2702 W. Old Highway 441 • Mount Dora, FL 32757 ( https://orphansrock.org/ ) or to Casa David (casadavid.org)