Connie Rhinehart Miller

Connie Rhinehart Miller, 83, of Fayetteville, NC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

A native of Spartanburg, SC, she was born on April 27, 1937, to Thomas Howard Rhinehart and Edna Virginia Rhinehart. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Eugene Miller. She was a graduate of Spartanburg High School and the Spartanburg General Nursing program.

For 46 years she worked as an RN primarily in Fayetteville with two OB/GYN practices. For 25 years she worked for doctors Ed Garber, CT Daniel and Bob Morrison and then several years with Steve Gooding when he took over the practice. Connie loved being Dr. Gooding’s nurse and she always said it was because of their South Carolina roots that they made such a good team. Her last years, in nursing were spent at Fayetteville Woman’s Care working with a tremendous group of doctors and nurses. One of the highlights she would talk about was being the first nurse for Dr. Earl Meeks when he arrived in Fayetteville (wearing no socks which she loved). Earl was more like a son and she enjoyed helping him sneak a hamburger every now and again. She loved all the doctors, nurses and staff she worked with during her career and many became life-long friends.

Connie was kind, generous, loyal, considerate, loving, a true friend, a sweet soul and her calling in life was to serve others which she always did with gentle care and dignity. She was longtime member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Connie loved reading and she enjoyed the simple pleasures in life whether it was feeding her birds, watching the squirrels play in the yard, taking care of a family of stray kittens (they hit the jackpot showing up on her patio) and especially taking treats to her beloved granddogs, Laney and Brice. More than anything she loved spending time with the people she was blessed to have in her life who always managed to put a smile on her face and bring her tremendous joy. She often reminisced about the many wonderful experiences she had with the people in her life whether it was a trip to the beach, attending a concert, traveling, meeting for lunch or simply having someone stop by her house for a chat. What mattered most to her was time with the people she cared for and loved.

Connie is survived by her loving daughters, Rhonda Miller of Fayetteville, NC and Gina Guilliams and husband Tim of Fayetteville, NC; her beloved grandson, Ross Keller of Charlotte, NC; her sister Donna Gray of Spartanburg, SC who she cherished; and several nieces, a nephew and cousins that she adored.

The family would like to recognize a few friends who have been more like family to Connie over the years. Linda Wheeler Gurnik who was her next door neighbor 55 years ago and would be one of her dearest lifelong friends. Together they raised their children, shared many wonderful vacations together, helped each other during the highs and lows of life and shared a beautiful friendship that endured for most of Connie’s life. Dr. Toni Meeks who was Connie’s doctor, but to Connie she was more like a daughter. She was so proud of Toni for all she had accomplished not only as a doctor, but as a wife and a mom. Connie always knew she had the best doctor and was in the best of care with Toni . Finally, to Raymond Gray who was a constant companion for many years. Raymond brought so much joy and love to her life and she loved the many adventures they spared especially to his home state of Vermont. She so enjoyed their many conversations and there was never a lack of something to talk about. Partnership comes in many forms and the time they spent together was a treasured gift in her life. Connie loved Raymond deeply and the family will be forever grateful for the love and care he showed their mom.

A private service will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. The family will host a drop in at the home the home of Gina and Tim, 225 Summertime Road, Fayetteville, on February 9th from 2:00pm – 4:00pm for anyone wishing to drop by to visit with the family.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St Matthews United Church 202 Hope Mills Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304 or a charity of your choice. https://stmattnc.org/

Services by  Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

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