In Memory of Brenda Elaine Miller
Brenda Elaine Miller
Spouse: Paul Clark Miller
Children: Young Min Miller
Birthdate: July 26, 1952
Blessing: August 25, 1995
Ascension: May 11, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: May 19, 2022
Brenda Elaine Miller lived a life full of love united with True Parents and with concern for others. Brenda was always active in church projects and the providence. She was part of the founding of the Racial Reconciliation Group with several other members of the Maryland community. Her passion was working toward elevating Native American causes, and she was honored by being given a Native American name, “Shining Spirit Woman.” Brenda never took the easy way but was always committed to true restoration of the heart.
Brenda was born on a farm outside of Vermillion, South Dakota. She attended elementary school in the last one-room school house in South Dakota and was in the final 8th grade graduating class before the school closed. She graduated from high school in Beresford, South Dakota. Brenda attended Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and graduated with an associate degree in Fashion Marketing.
While she was in Sioux Falls, she met Barbara Masuyama, the first Unification missionary to South Dakota, who taught her the Divine Principle. Brenda became the first member to join in South Dakota.
From South Dakota she did witnessing and fundraising for a while and then was chosen, along with other members, to join the first Global Team. Brenda was able to travel to Japan and Korea participating in witnessing and church activities. She had the honor of being at the Yoido Rally in Seoul, Korea in 1975.
When she returned to America, Brenda continued witnessing and fundraising. In 1982 she was matched and blessed to an African American brother. They started family life, but unfortunately her husband passed away. Brenda worked as staff at the New Yorker Hotel, which at the time was called World Mission Center, and also used her business school training to work as an executive assistant for a New York law firm.
It was while working at the law firm and living in Brooklyn that she met her current husband, Paul Miller. They were blessed in Korea in 1995. In 1996 she moved to Maryland to join her new husband.
Brenda was always active in church projects and the providence. She became part of the Reconciliation Group, which was started by Joe and Debby Taylor and Bob and Angelika Selle—a weekly black white prayer and discussion meeting that was able to open the hearts and minds of many people and promote understanding on a deeper level. Brenda was considered by the others in the group as the one with the deepest mother’s heart, always keeping the others focused and properly centered.
Brenda also became active in the Native American community and attended a number of Pow Wows in the Maryland and Virginia area and in Oklahoma. She had connected with the Native American spirit and the plight of the Dakota tribes while she was growing up. At a gathering in Southern Virginia, she was honored by being given a Native American name “Shining Spirit Woman.” In 2013, June 7–15, Brenda, along with Reiko Jenkins, Claire Daugherty, Katherine Cromwell, Sandra Lowen, and Joy and Joseph Williams embarked on a prayer journey retracing the Trail of Tears. She created a photo album to commemorate that time.
By far the greatest joy in her life was when a beautiful baby, whom she and her husband named Young Min David Miller, came into her life. Young Min was an offering child graciously given by Jack and Yukari Whedbee. The raising of Young Min to be a strong, smart, moral, and handsome man has been the culmination of her life’s work. This fine young man will be a diadem in her crown in heaven.
Brenda Miller is survived by her husband, Paul Clark Miller; her son, Young Min David Miller; and her three siblings, Carol Nixon, Sandy Lawrensen, and Barry Lawrensen.
Brenda’s husband’s tribute.
“Do not mourn for the rose that has bloomed and withered
for it has spread its glory upon the world; rather weep for
the bud that will not bloom.”
—Paul Miller
Seonghwa Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022 11:00AM (Viewing starts at 10:00 AM)
Location: Beall Funeral Home (6512 Crain Highway Bowie, MD 20715)
The ceremony can be watched on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/618147675 (Passcode: 2027)
Won Jeon Ceremony: 2:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Cemetery (3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood MD 20722)
Reception to follow at approximately 3:30PM (3600 New York Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002)
Donations accepted to help Brenda Miller's Family and her Beloved Causes: https://gofund.me/e5432486
Condolence Cards may be sent to:
The Miller Family
7504 Garrison Road
Hyattsville MD 20784
