Jerry Barlow Miller

Jerry Barlow Miller, of Bluffton, SC., passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025 following a lengthy and brave battle with Bronchiectasis. She was surrounded by family (four legged, too) in her beloved home.

Jerry was born April 16, 1947 in Lexington, KY. to the late Edmund Ross Barlow and Laure Louise Bixler Barlow.  Jerry was a 1965 graduate of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, KY. where she played clarinet in the marching band and was a member of the Honors Club, Anchor Club, Latin Club and was a Volunteer Aide. She attended University of Kentucky for two years before she transferred to and graduated with honors from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University College of Education, in Nashville, TN. After graduation, she applied her degree by teaching kindergarten in inner city schools.

Jerry moved to Jacksonville, FL. in 1975 with her then 2-year-old daughter, Jennifer, and took up a new career in executive administration working hard to provide for and raise Jennifer as a single mother. Jerry worked first as a legal secretary, then as an executive assistant for Regency Square Properties and finally as Jay Stein’s (CEO, Stein Mart) personal executive assistant for 15 years until her retirement in 1998. It was in Jacksonville that Jerry met the love of her life, David Miller. They married in 1981 and enjoyed a wonderful 44-year marriage filled with weekend trips to local beaches as well as more extensive travel with David’s company (The Parts House) prior to his retirement in 2018. Whether it was walking through Central Park in NYC, hiking to the Acropolis in Athens, kayaking in La Jolla, cruising in Alaska, or day trips to St. Augustine, FL., Jerry’s favorite part of any excursion (after shopping, of course) was being outside and enjoying nature. Jerry especially loved their trip to South Africa for a wildlife safari which spoke to her love of animals. Despite these wonderful trips, her favorite summer “vacation” each year was “Camp Gigi and G-Daddy” where her grandkids would spend a week without parents in tow, filled with fun games, arts and crafts, and food.

Jerry absolutely adored dogs, her “four-legged children”. She and David shared several pairs throughout their marriage and their most recent pair, Bodie and Piper, lovingly watched over her bedside and cuddled with her during her final days at home. Nothing mattered more to Jerry than family. She had a special knack for keeping everyone on time and at their best. Always aiming to send her family out the door with their best foot forward, early weekday mornings were spent at the ironing board making sure Jennifer and David’s clothes were not only wrinkle free but that they were professional level crisp. However, it was most important to her that they remember “attitude is everything”.  Jerry will be remembered affectionally for her toughness, loving loyalty, and exuberance for life. This showed in the way she championed her loved ones. It didn’t matter if         you were a novice or had practiced for years, you were the best in her eyes! She attended countless gymnastic meets, cheerleading and dance competitions, school plays and musicals, soccer games, chorus concerts, band concerts, basketball games, cross country meets, grandparent’s days, graduations, and award ceremonies. Her love and steadfast enthusiastic support will always be cherished by her family.

Jerry and David fell in love with Palmetto Bluff during a visit in 2015 and moved permanently to their slice of low country paradise in 2018 immediately following David’s retirement. Jerry embraced the warm sense of community and loved nothing better than “porch sitting” with their many friends. Among the many activities she enjoyed were anything involved with the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, staying active and fit with the Wellness programs, trivia night with the Brainiacs, dinners at Coles, and meeting and making new friends. Golf cart rides with David and the pups were another favorite past time and she marveled at and was thankful for the beauty that surrounded her.

Jerry is survived by her husband of 44 years, David Wendell Miller, daughter, Jennifer Wright Healey (Quill Orme Healey II) grandson Quill Orme Healey III, granddaughter Olivia Katherine Healey, Brother-in-law Wayne (Wanda) Miller, Sister-in-law Jane Wallace, Sister-in-law Ann Miller and several nieces and nephews. David and family will celebrate and memorialize Jerry privately. They would like to extend a special thank you to Agape Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers donations in Jerry’s honor can be made to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. https://www.palmettobluff.com/conservation/#donate

Palmetto Bluff Conservancy
Web: https://www.palmettobluff.com/conservation/#donate