Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened, we have approached life, and death, differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not just a funeral home. We are a close knit family dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
Miller Funeral Home and Crematory is the oldest independently-owned funeral home in the Calhoun County area.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Miller Funeral Home and Crematory was established in April 1970 by Toby and Dianne Miller under the name of Miller-Robinson Funeral Home. The Robinson name belonged to James H. Robinson, a licensed embalmer who agreed to partner with Toby Miller until the time he completed Embalming School and earned his embalmers license. Toby Miller enrolled into the funeral service program and Jefferson State Junior College in 1970 and commuted four nights a week for two years earning his degree. Initially, the business operated with Toby Miller being the only full time person and a couple of part time people.
After receiving his degree in Mortuary Science the business was relocated in 1972 to its present site at 50 Hamric Dr East. The initial building was a modest 6000 square foot facility. Toby purchased Mr. Robinson’s part of the business and officially changed the name to Miller Funeral Home.
In 1983, Miller Florist was founded and in 1992, Miller Monument Company was founded. Miller Funeral Home also has the Event Center. The center can be
utilized as a place for meals, or for those family's who wish to have a
reception in lieu of the traditional visitation.
In May of 2006 a crematory was added and in 2021, Miller Funeral Home opened the first Aquamation machine in the state of Alabama as a greener alternative to cremation.
Miller Funeral Home Crematory was awarded Calhoun County’s Sustaining Business for 2010 and has been selected as the Best Funeral Home by the readers of the Anniston Star for 13 years in a row. In 2022, The Chamber of Commerce awarded Miller Funeral Home with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In December of 2017, Patrick and Shelley Miller, the son and daughter-in-law of Toby and Dianne, became the owners and operators of Miller Funeral Home and Miller Florist. The funeral home, florist, monument shop and the cemetery office for Dogwood Trail Memorial Gardens, all sit on the same property. Having all of these businesses, owned by Patrick and Shelley, has proven to save families time and money when finalizing funeral arrangements.
On April 28, 2020, Mr. Toby Miller passed from this life to his eternal home in Heaven. In his honor, we have dedicated and named our chapel after the man who did so much for the funeral home and the community.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.
Mr. Patrick Miller
Owner
Patrick Miller is the president of Miller Funeral Home, Crematory, and Aquamation Center, Miller Florist, Miller Monument Company and Dogwood Trail Memorial Gardens.
He resides in Oxford, Alabama with his wife, Shelley; daughter, Ashlyn and her husband, Dalton; son, Wesley, and his dogs, Louis, Dyce, and Teddy.
After graduating high school, he achieved an associates of applied science in mortuary sciences from Jefferson State Community College.
While Patrick was studying, he began to open and close graves and install burial vaults for his dad at Miller Funeral Home. In 1992, Patrick started Miller Monument Company and in 1999 Patrick and a partner started Oxford Grave and Vault, where they serviced over 16 funeral homes around Calhoun, Talladega, Etowah and St. Clair counties with their burial vault and grave opening needs. In 2005 Patrick purchased Long Memorials on North Noble St. and in 2015 he sold his shares of Oxford Grave and Vault to his partner. He then purchased the funeral home and florist from his dad and brother in December 2017. Patrick has served on the board of directors for Oxford EMS and also Alabama Law Enforcement Association Foundation (ALEAF).
Since 2017, Patrick has remodeled the funeral home, acquired new vans for the funeral home and flower shop, restored the crematory to top working condition and brought the very first Alkaline Hydrolysis (Aquamation) unit to Alabama.
Patrick enjoys serving his community, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Mrs. Shelley Miller
Owner
Shelley Miller is the wife of Patrick Miller. Together they own and operate Miller Funeral Home, Crematory ,and Aquamation Center, Miller Monument Company, Miller Florist, and Dogwood Trail Memorial Gardens. She resides in Oxford, Alabama with her husband, Patrick; daughter, Ashlyn and her husband, Dalton; son, Wesley, and fur-babies, Louis, Dyce, and Teddy. After graduating high school, Shelley attended nursing school.
While attending nursing school, Shelley worked at the college in the registrars office. She joined the Miller family in 1995. Since then, Shelley has operated Miller Monument Company doing wholesale and retail monuments. Shelley has brought state of the art equipment to Calhoun County with a Computer Assisted Design Program, Laser Engraving, and a Automatic Sandblasting Machine. She always makes sure each business has what they need and keeps the funeral home beautifully decorated.
Shelley enjoys serving her community, decorating, crafts, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Amber Champion Danelutt
Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Cremationist
Amber Champion Danelutt is a lifelong resident Oxford, Alabama, where she currently resides with her husband, Justin, and her daughter, Lillian. She graduated from Oxford High School in 2011.
Amber graduated from Jefferson State Community College with an associates in applied science. She began working at Miller Funeral Home in 2012 and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2015. Amber also became a licensed cremationist in 2018, making her the only triple licensed employee currently at the funeral home.
Amber enjoys traveling, especially to Disney World, with her family, being a mom, and spending time with her family and friends.
Mrs. Ashlyn Miller Rone
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Ashlyn Miller Rone is a resident of Oxford, Alabama, where she currently resides with her
husband, Dalton, and her dog, Theo. She is the daughter of the owners, Patrick, and Shelley Miller.
She graduated from Oxford High School in 2018.
Ashlyn graduated College from The University of Mobile with a bachelor’s degree in
Communication Studies and a minor in History. She began working at Miller Funeral Home in
2021 but has been around the industry all her life.
Ashlyn graduated from Jefferson State Community College with an associates in applied science and received her Funeral Directing and Embalmers License in March of 2024. She is excited about becoming the third generation owner.
Mr. Levi Gamble
Funeral Assistant and Cremationist
Levi Gamble is a resident of Anniston, Alabama, where he currently resides with his wife, Lauren, and his daughters, Emmy Kate and Ellie Mae.
Levi is a graduate of DAR High School in Grant, Alabama.
Levi has been in the funeral business since 2015, working as a funeral assistant. Levi joined our team in 2021.
Levi is a member of Harvest Church of God in Anniston, Alabama. Levi and his family has a southern gospel singing group and they enjoy traveling around to different churches singing.
Levi enjoys cooking, singing, gardening, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Terry Entrekin
Preneed Specialist
Terry M. Entrekin resides in Sylacauga, Alabama with his wife, Cindy. They have three boys, Mark, Robert, and Clay.
Terry started working in the grocery business at the age of 13 and stayed in the business for over 38 years, with 30 of those years at Bruno's. Terry was store manager for 15 years.
After leaving the retail business, Terry began selling prearranged funerals. He has been doing this for over 8 years.
Terry graduated from Sylacauga High School and went to CACC for air/refrigeration, and took other college classes over the years.
Terry coached over 22 years of little league and Babe Ruth baseball.
Terry enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Jacob Sanderson
Funeral Director and Cremationist
Jacob Sanderson is a resident of Heflin, Alabama where he currently resides with his wife
Brittnee Sanderson. Jacob grew up in Jacksonville, Alabama where he graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 2015. After Highschool he went on and obtain a bachelor’s degree of science from
Jacksonville state university.
Jacob joined the funeral home staff in 2022. He became a licensed funeral director and cremationist in 2024.
Jacob is a current member of the Mt. Olive Church Of God in Fruithurst, Alabama. Jacob was called into the ministry in 2019. Jacob likes to spend his free time playing golf, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his friends and family.
Garvis Swafford
Embalmer
Mr. Gary Edwards
Funeral Assistant
Gary has been a lifelong resident of Oxford, and married Donna Coleman Edwards of Oxford.
Gary is blessed with two daughters and five grandchildren.
Gary retired from Anniston Army Depot and has been with Miller Funeral Home, Crematory, and Aquamation Center for seven years.
Gary attends Brookside Baptist Church and enjoys riding motorcycles.
Dr. Horace Carson
Chaplain and Funeral Assistant
Dr. Horace Carson resides in Oxford, Alabama with his wife Barbara. After graduating from Saks High School, he began a military career spanning a period of 33 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Tennessee Temple University, a Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling from Jacksonville State University, a Doctorate of Biblical Studies, and a Doctorate of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary.
Dr. Carson has been employed as a classroom teacher, finance director, Dean of Academic Affairs, lead interpreter and administrative assistant for JSU’s Disability Support Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and Assistant to the Executive Director of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) Gentry Facility. Dr. Carson retired from AIDB in 2009. He currently serves as the Chaplain for Miller Funeral Home and Crematory.
Dr. Carson is an active member of Antioch Baptist Church of Oxford, serving as Deacon, Treasurer, and Sunday school teacher for adults. He is a licensed minister and lay church speaker. He is also actively involved in The Gideons International and often speaks at various functions (church services, banquets and dinners) for the Gideon Ministry. He also speaks monthly at the Anniston City Jail for the Gideons.
Mike Knight
Maintenance
Mrs. Rebecca Barkey
Miller Florist and Gifts Manager
Rebecca Barkey is the new manager at Miller Florist and Gifts.
She grew up in Hoover, Alabama, where she first learned the basics of floral design in her high school's Floriculture Class.
After relocating to the area in 1997 with her daughter, she was in retail management for 26 years before returning to her first love, doing floral design, at Design World in 2013.
She joined our team in August 2019 as a designer and was promoted to manager in April 2020.
She currently resides in Ohatchee with her husband, Justin, and her beloved fur babies.
Louis Miller
Comfort Dog
Louis Miller (Lou-e) was born June 15, 2020 and is training to be a sympathy dog at Miller Funeral Home, Crematory, and Aquamation Center. He currently resides in Oxford, Alabama with his parents, Patrick and Shelley Miller, and his siblings, Ashlyn (Dalton), Wesley, Dyce, and Teddy.
Louis loves to come to work and play with his co-workers and love on the families that come in the funeral home. Sometimes, Louis still gets excited and barks every now and then but he is working on his discipline.
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