Dean Miller is a graduate of Freed Hardeman University (1976). He has preached for over 40 years, 33 of which were with the Hartville church of Christ in Hartville, OH. He is now working full-time with the Widowhood Workshop Ministry and lives in Villa Rica, GA.
Dean himself is a widower. He and Ruth Ann met when they were 15 years old, wed at 19, and enjoyed 41 years of marriage before she passed away in 2013. They were blessed with three daughters (Michelle, Melissa, & Deanna) and five grandchildren (Riley, Evan, Emma, Brooklyn, & Abby).
Michelle was wed to David Miller on June 24, 2022. David is a Regional VP of Sales at Nashville Display and Michelle has been employed by Bridgestone Americas since her graduation from Freed Hardeman University in 1998. They currently reside in Smyrna, TN and attend the LaVergne church of Christ. Michelle works with the college ministry and they are both actively involved in Vacation Bible School and the local Rutherford County widowhood ministry.
Melissa is married to Tony Cere and together they have two children, Evan and Brooklyn. They attend the University City Church of Christ in Gainesville, FL where Tony serves as Deacon over the Children’s Ministry, Melissa teaches Bible classes, and they are active with the young families program. They are also the proud owners of Ranger, the official mascot of the Widowhood Workshop.
Deanna is married to Chris Johnson and together they have 3 girls, Riley, Emma, and Abby. They attend the Villa Rica Church of Christ in Villa Rica, GA where Chris serves as Deacon over the Lads to Leaders program, Deanna works as the church secretary, and they both teach classes.
While working full-time, Dean served as caregiver for his wife who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2005. On Christmas morning of 2013, Ruth Ann passed away at the age of 61 with her husband and firstborn child at her bedside.
During months of grieving, Dean began to realize the need for more attention and discussion about widowhood, what it is like, how to cope with it, and how to serve those experiencing it. This is what led to the development of the Widowhood Workshop ministry.
Widowhood Workshop 