Matthew Carl Miller Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Matthew Carl Miller, 22, of Fernandina Beach, Florida has gently reached the clearing at the end of the path and gone into the arms of his Lord and savior. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Matt had touched throughout his short, yet very memorable life. Matt passed in his sleep at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in the early morning hours of the 22nd of January, 2014. He had long and bravely battled the constant effects of a failed kidney, of which he never received a potentially lifesaving second transplant. Matt was born on July 22, 1992 in Jacksonville, Florida, to Terry and Debbee Miller. He had two older sisters, Shannon and Jennifer. He grew up in Nassau County, Florida, and attended both Bryceville and Callahan schools where he eventually graduated from West Nassau High School as a member of the Class of 2011. Matt suffered from kidney problems from birth and actually had his first transplant at the age of 3. Beating the odds set against him, something that would become habit throughout his life, Matt fully recovered after his first kidney transplant and grew up relatively carefree like any other kid. The earlier difficulties he had experienced in his life led Matt to want to give similar help and opportunity like he had received to other kids who might be struggling with kidney disease. So he pursued medical training as part of his high school’s medical academy. Later, he decided that his greatest desire was to be a spiritual leader and pastor in addition to his pursuits in the medical field. Matt enjoyed fishing, paintball, video games, studying the Bible, reading, music, friends and family, especially his many nephews and nieces for which he always seemed to have time for. Matthew was a member of First Baptist Church of Callahan, Florida. He was a man who loved his church family and community, working with the youth ministry, and bringing people to the Lord. Matt has a special love and knowledge for biblical history and enjoyed friendly debate. Having never met a stranger, Matt was known for successfully inviting new found friends to church. Matt will forever be remembered for his love of the Lord, constant smile, his refusal to quit and his big red beard. Matthew leaves his loving memory to be cherished by his amazing mother, Debbee Lamb Miller; father and step-mother, Terry Miller and Julie Sorensen Miller; sisters, Shannon Miller Knagge and Jennifer Miller Ghioto and step-sister, Nicole Sorensen Cochran; brothers-in-law, Jason Ghioto and Steve Cochran; nephews, Lucas Knagge, Cyan Read and Asher Ghioto; nieces, Ella Knagge, Savannah Ghioto and Emily Sorensen; uncles, Steve Des Islets, Donnie Lamb, David Miller, Tom Davis, and Dave Roe; aunts, Susie Lamb Des Islets, Cindy Thomas-Meister, Nikki Miller Davis, Sandy Miller Roe, and Linda Miller Yates; many cousins and countless, countless friends. Matt is preceded in death by his grandmothers, Sandra Rae Rose Lamb and Maxine Evelyn McGhin Miller; grandfather Carl Leon Miller; uncles, Larry Miller and Gary Miller, and his beloved Dachshunds, Yazzee and Ozzee. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Callahan, Florida on Friday, January 22, 2014 at 10:30- 11:30am. Homegoing Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Callahan, Florida on Friday, January 22, 2014 at 11:30am with Matthew’s dear friend Reverend Todd Carr officiating. Visitation will be held at the church 1 hour prior to service. Callahan Funeral Home and First Baptist Church of Callahan are handling the service arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Youth Ministry of First Baptist Church of Callahan, PO Box 605, Callahan, FL 32011. Condolences may br expressed at www.callahanfh.com. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the community of Callahan and Nassau County for the prayers, concern, and support. The family also wishes to thank the medical team involved in Matthew’s treatment, as well as to Vitas Hospice for their care and support in his final months. Arrangements under the direction & care of Ellis & Charlotte McAninch.

Matthew Carl Miller

July 22, 1992 - January 22, 2014

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