Linda Kinard Miller

Linda Kinard Miller, 76, of Valdosta, passed away on Sunday, April 6th, at her home on Smithbriar Drive. She was born in Atlanta on July 16, 1948, to James Robinson Kinard and Janie Blackwell Kinard. Growing up in Atlanta, Linda lived with her parents and two siblings, younger brothers David and Jimmy, on North Druid Hills Road. She attended Briarcliff High School and worked part-time in the bakery at Rich’s department store. A Christmas season in the Rich’s gift-wrapping department—tying elaborate ribbons and creating unique adornments—gave rise to a lifelong affinity for arts & crafts. Following her 1966 graduation from Briarcliff, she attended and received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College in Macon. While at Wesleyan, a classmate, Sally Kurrie (nee Shingler), set her up on a blind date with Valdosta native Wyn Miller. Linda and Wyn fell in love and married in Atlanta on June 6, 1971. Following Wyn’s graduation from Emory law school, Linda accompanied him back to his hometown of Valdosta in 1972. There, Linda worked as a teller at C&S bank and helped Wyn set up his law practice. In 1977, their only child, Will, was born. Linda was a member of the Junior Service League (serving as president from ’88-89), and also deeply involved with her church, First United Methodist. After Will left for college in 1996, she went back to school to pursue a career in counseling. In 2000, she graduated from Valdosta State University with a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. For the next three years, she worked as a mental health counselor at Valdosta Behavioral Services to get the hours needed to become, in 2004, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She provided counseling services, with a Christian focus, to a great many women in their time of need. She was a person of deep Christian faith and compassion.

Linda and her husband, Wyn, traveled extensively, including to Argentina and Russia. Wyn passed away in May of 2022 following a long illness. Linda was by his side every step of the way. She missed him dearly, but did not let grief prevent her from living life and serving God. She continued counseling. She raised a Golden Retriever, her beloved Gus, from a tiny puppy. She worked in her “she shed,” making things, e.g., yard ornaments forged from old dinner plates. She deepened her involvement in the community, including, among other things, reading to kids at the Boys & Girls Club; participating regularly in Valdosta Street Feed; and, perhaps most importantly to her, doing whatever she could to help her church, First Methodist, grow and strengthen its ministry. She also showered with love the children of friends and family, treating them like her own grandchildren.

Linda was a devoted wife to her husband, a loving mother to her son, and a caring sister to David, her only surviving sibling. She is survived by her son, Willis Linton “Will” Miller IV, of Atlanta; her brother and sister-in-law, David and Jean Kinard, of Atlanta; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dutton and Donna Miller, of Valdosta, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Willis Linton “Wyn” Miller III, her parents, and her brother Jimmy Kinard.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at First Methodist Church with Rev. Anthony McPhail officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to First Methodist Church Valdosta Street Feed, PO Box 1306, Valdosta, GA 31603-1306. Online condolences to the family may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Miller family.