Laura Miller

Laura Denise Miller died on June 22, 2022, at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, NC
after a brief illness. Laura was born in Laurel, Mississippi and grew up in Belle Chase,
Louisiana outside of New Orleans. She was drum major for her high school band,
sometimes changing hats to add her trombone talent to the musical selections. She
graduated from Loyola University and then earned her Master of Social Work from
Tulane in 1995.
Laura worked at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans early in her career,
meeting interesting and caring people who became lifelong friends. She then moved
with her partner Kellie Johnson to Durham in 2002. She worked for 18 years as a social
work supervisor in juvenile justice with the State of North Carolina, retiring in 2021.
Laura’s friends and family appreciated her quirky sense of humor, discerning
intelligence, and compassionate advocacy for the young people in her charge. All were
inspired by Laura’s unwavering support of Hillary Clinton and devotion to Cher, traveling
to her concerts across the U.S. Her nephew remembers Laura’s approach to life as full
of unconditional love, acceptance and encouragement.
Laura was predeceased by her parents Nadine and Thomas Miller. She is survived by
her adored nephew Thomas Miller and his wife Julia, their children Thomas, Miles and
Felicity, and by her brother Marty Miller, all of Louisiana. Laura and her dogs were
devoted to one another, and Marigny, Li’l Joey Biden and Daisy also survive her.
If you would like to honor Laura in a way she would appreciate, please consider a gift to
an animal rescue group such as APS of Durham (Marigny), HEART Animal Rescue
(Li’l Joey Biden) or a group of your choice.
Plans for a late July memorial service in Durham are incomplete at this time, and family
and friends will be notified. Laura’s ashes will be interred next to her parents in
Mississippi.