Nancy Holsapple Miller

Nancy Holsapple Miller, 92, of Athens, passed away June 26th, 2026. Born November 3rd, 1934, in Rome, Ga. She was the youngest of three daughters of the late Harry and Lois Holsapple. As a native Athenian, she grew up on Highland Terrace in Five Points, and attended Athens High School through the 11th grade, and then enrolled in UGA. Nancy often said she graduated UGA without a high school diploma because Athens High only had 11 grades when she attended. She graduated from UGA at the tender age of 19 and worked as a graduate assistant for the Dean of the school of Journalism. She often spoke of grading Lewis Grizzard’s papers before he became a Georgia legend.

While at UGA, Nancy joined the Baptist Student Union where she met James Miller. James was a tall, skinny farm kid from South Georgia majoring in Plant Pathology. Nancy was only 5’ 2” tall, so they were the “long and short” couple. James and Nancy fell in love, attended UGA football games and married in Athens at the First Baptist Church. They moved to Moultrie, Ga., where James was the assistant county agent and started their family. All three kids were born in Moultrie and then moved back to Athens for James to pursue his graduate studies.

Athens was home for Nancy, and she focused her energy on raising three children, worked as a substitute teacher with Clarke County Schools, and served as a church secretary for Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. The church was a fixture in Nancy’s life. If the doors were open at Milledge Avenue the Miller family was there. Nancy played the piano, and taught Sunday school. She was also the ultimate 4-H/band/tennis parent, typing record books, listening to 4-H demonstrations, freezing or baking in the sun as a spectator watching her children show steers, playing in the marching band, or playing high school tennis.

The Miller’s moved to Watkinsville in 1979 and founded Miller’s Blueberry Farm. Nancy became the “blueberry lady” or “mama Nancy” depending on who you talked to. Her blueberry recipes are still loved today. She loved folks coming to the farm, and her favorite saying was; “we don’t weigh you coming onto the farm or leaving, so eat as much as you want”.

Nancy and James loved to travel and camped across the country. In their retirement years they travel around the world, and built a beautiful home in Surprise, AZ. Thru their travels they built a wonderful circle of friends, and an impressive collection of crystal elephants and other tchotchkes that found places of honor in all parts of their home.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Suzanne (Jim) Bailey of Brevard, NC. Cindy (Kent) Kurtz of Warner Robins, Ga. son, Jeff (Carol) Miller of Simpsonville, SC. Also survived by grandchildren, Summer Kurtz (Boulder, CO.) and Allison Kurtz (Savannah, Ga), Daniel (Sarah) Bailey, Athens, John (Kaylee) Bailey, Asheville, NC., Mark (Kristin) Bailey, Indianapolis, IN. and Ben (Caiti) Miller, Simpsonville, SC. and great-grandchildren, Grover Taddonio Bailey, and Deacon and Murphy Miller. A memorial service will be announced at a future date.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.