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In memory of

Marion Charles Miller

Florissant, MO, USA

September 20, 1925 - October 4, 2018

Sep 20, 1925 - Oct 4, 2018

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Marion Charles Miller was born on September 20, 1925, to John and Sarah Miller in St. Louis, Missouri. One of nine children, he was educated at Holy Angels Elementary and St. Joseph’s High School for Negroes. He also attended St. Louis Music and Arts University excelling in piano, music theory and jazz. He also served in World War II in the United States Navy stationed in Florida and California.
He entered into Holy Matrimony for over 70 years with Virginia L. Simmons, also of St. Louis, on October 7, 1947. To this union 2 daughters, Marilyn and Deborah, were born. Deborah preceded Marion in death on June 30, 2016.
Marion worked in real estate and insurance, but his passion was his successful career in music, inspired by his heroes such as Erroll Garner and George Gershwin. Marion performed for major corporations throughout the US including Anheuser-Busch, Ralston Purina, the United Nations and the US Congress, as well as numerous private engagements over his career that spanned decades.
A composer, music producer as well as musician, his music was recorded as the “Original Three Trio,” with Bob Ragan and Doug Thornton. He also recorded with his longtime partner and great friend Eddie Eaton as Miller & Eaton. He was the recipient of the Jazz and Music Achievement Award in 2000 at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. A member of ASCAP, Marion was inducted into the St. Louis Jazz Hall of Fame in 2014.
A notable personality, he was widely recognized by people anywhere he went. He was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch many times, played numerous locations in St. Louis and made several television appearances.
His love for music was exceeded by his love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, daughter Marilyn Townsend, brother George Miller, grandchildren Joy, Christopher, Tiffany, Jennifer, Kelly, Sarah, and Krista, great-grandchildren Jonathon, Alyssa, Kaitlyn, Krysten, Kaleb, Matthew and Brandon, and many nieces and nephews.

Always known as the family “shutterbug”, Marion took insurmountable amounts of photos documenting his family, of which he was always proud. He shared many a moment with family members with anecdotes, BBQs, Cardinal games, humor, music, and love. To his nieces and nephews, he'll always be “Uncle Beanie”. To his grandchildren, he'll always be “Papa”.

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