Collett Miller

Collett Miller died on June 9, 2023, at Aston Park Health Care Center in Asheville after a long illness. He was born in Asheville on February 2, 1941, and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a dear friend to many.

He was predeceased by his parents, Eva and Collett L. Miller. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Geraldine Robinson Miller, of Asheville. Other surviving relatives are his daughter, Karen Rodriguez, of Oakton, Virginia; son-in-law, Hugo Rodriguez, Jr., of Oakton, Virginia; granddaughters, Alison Rodriguez, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Annalia Rodriguez, of Oakton, Virginia; sister, Miriam Porter of Swannanoa; and sister-in-law, Darlene, and brother-in-law, Bert Abrams, of Leicester.

He graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1959 where he played on the tennis team. For 43 years he worked for the American Enka Company, and there he met Geraldine and made life-long friends. He served as a board member of the Enka Credit Union for several years.

Collett was always up for an adventure, traveling to Honduras, Mexico, and Washington, D.C. to visit Karen and her family. He adored his granddaughters and was thrilled to go down Sliding Rock with them well into his 60s and 70s.

He had lived in Morningside Park since 1961 and cherished his friendships with neighbors and their families. In earlier years, he played basketball, football, and tennis, and went water skiing on Lake James with his close West Asheville buddies who meant so much to him. Collett was an avid Asheville High football fan, regularly gathering with friends at the stadium for home games or in each others’ homes to listen to broadcasts of away games. He was a passionate golfer and treasured his outings with his golfing friends. They played locally and took weekend trips to play throughout the Southeast, providing memories he talked about for years.

Collett and Geraldine loved tending their farm on South Turkey Creek. He built and maintained bluebird houses and enjoyed spotting wildlife on the property. In recent years, he and Geraldine could be found having a picnic at their favorite spot on a hill overlooking the farm.

The family will host a visitation for friends and family to remember Collett and celebrate the joy he brought to all of us on Saturday, July 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Avenue, West Asheville.