Suzanne Donell Miller Spirup

Suzanne Donell Miller Spirup, 64, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday evening, April 25, 2019.  Best friend and much-beloved wife of James Michael Spirup, and mother to their only daughter, Helen Marie Spirup Ottinger, Sue and Jim met while they were both Music/Music Education majors at The College of Idaho of Caldwell, Idaho.  They were married on June 22, 1985, at Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church in Caldwell.  They were blessed with 33 wonderful years of marriage. 

Sue was born on May 20, 1954, to J. Gordon and Ernell B. Miller in Omaha, Nebraska - their fourth child and only daughter.  She attended Ponca Grade School until the family moved to McMinnville, Oregon when Sue was ten years old. Sue graduated from McMinnville High School in 1972.  She was very active in the High School’s Music program, playing flute in the Band.  Her favorite memory of High School was her appearance in their 1969 musical production of “The Music Man,” where she played the part of Amaryllis. 

Sue graduated from The College of Idaho and performed with the Caldwell Orchestra on a regular basis.  Additionally, she was awarded the opportunity to perform with the Spokane Symphony, under the direction of Donald Tulane, as part of Oregon All-State Orchestra while still in high school. 

Sue found the Lord, going forward to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade in Caldwell, Idaho during her early college years. 

Following graduation from C of I, she briefly taught Instrumental Music/Band for Horseshoe Bend Public Schools, of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho before returning to school to acquire her standard elementary teaching certification.  In 1978 she received her Certification in Elementary Education from Boise State University.  Thereafter, she taught third-grade at Maranatha Christian Academy for one year, and first-grade for Marsing Public Schools for four years.  Following her marriage, Sue taught pre-school/kindergarten for Trinity Treasures of Boise, Idaho for several years until she and her family left Boise. 

Beginning in 1994-97, the family lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Sue worked for the Alumni Office of the University of Michigan while her husband earned his Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from Michigan’s School of Music.  Following this, the family moved Bennettsville, South Carolina for a period of one year where Sue taught Music/Social Studies for Marlborough Academy.  The following year the family moved to Wausau, Wisconsin where Sue again taught music for Wausau Public Schools. 

In 2002, Sue and Jim and their daughter moved to Abingdon, Virginia.  Sue substitute taught in the Washington County Public Schools for two years, until she accepted a full-time vocal/choral music position at Holston High School in 2004, where she taught for seventeen years, until her passing. 

Sue was a devoted music teacher.  She genuinely loved each of her students and they, in turn, loved her.  Among the things for which she will be remembered, she always made it a point to have prayer with her students prior to a musical performance.  Sue was a fine teacher and an excellent musician. 

She was preceded in death by her father, J. Gordon Miller; her mother, Ernell B. Miller; and an older brother, Jim Miller.        

She is survived by her husband, James; their daughter, Helen Marie Spirup Ottinger; two brothers, Raymond Thomas Miller, of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Reid Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Sue always had an open, beautifully sweet spirit and a very gentle disposition.  She dedicated her life to serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  She was a wonderful, very loving friend to all her friends.  She was a loving wife and homemaker.  Sue was always active in the church, singing in the choir and occasionally ringing in the handbell ensembles, in addition to playing her flute.  She will be greatly missed.   

A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 124 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. with the Rev. Margaret K. Zeller officiating.   

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.  The family of Suzanne Donell Miller Spirup is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).