Nancy Lang Rea MIller
Nancy Harding Lang Rea Miller, 89, passed away peacefully Monday, September 4, 2023.
Born December 31, 1933 in Charlottesville, she was the daughter of the late Orval Hamilton and Reva Rhodes Lang. She is preceded in death by her first husband Carroll Allen Rea and her beloved daughter Cynthia Ann Rea Osborne. She is also preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Barbara Ann Lang Rea and husband Woodrow Franklin Rea.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years, James R. “Jim” Miller of Charlottesville; five grandchildren: Richard “Neil” Osborne of Asheville, NC; Christopher Allen Osborne and his wife Kayla of Easley, SC; Paul Stephen Osborne of Oklahoma City, OK; Adam Benjamin Osborne of Leesville, SC; Katie Ann Osborne of Lakeland, FL and seven great grandchildren: Lucas, Jacob, Harding, Hatteras, Hutch, Emily and Cameron Cynthia. She also leaves behind her special niece and nephew, Nancy “Allyson” Rea of Charlottesville, VA and Rev. Dr. Woodie Rea of Washington, DC.
In her early years, she and her sister Barbara (“the Lang sisters”) would often sing and play the piano at talent shows and various festivals throughout the state and almost won an appearance on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour.
In 1952, Nancy became the first to hold the title of Miss Albemarle. One of her favorite recollections was the honor of presenting a basket of Albemarle Pippin apples to Dwight D. Eisenhower on behalf of the Apple Harvest (now Dogwood) Festival.
She graduated from Lane High School and began her secretarial career with The Peoples National Bank, which would later become Virginia National Bank, then Sovran, and finally Nations Bank at the time of her retirement after 42 years. She served many of those years as executive secretary to the branch president and vice-president. She took great pride in her job and made many wonderful friends and acquaintances there.
Nancy was a charter member of Cherry Avenue Christian Church where she was very active; she especially enjoyed being a member of the church choir and had a beautiful alto voice. When her health began to decline, it saddened her that she was no longer able to participate.
Nancy always dressed elegantly and had a wonderful sense of fashion. She graced us all with her style and charm, cute sense of humor and wit, and lovely warm smile. After speaking with her, people walked away feeling good about themselves. “G.G.”, as she was called by her grandchildren, will surely be missed.
Visitation will be held at 12 p.m. and Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, September 22, 2023 at Cherry Avenue Christian Church, 1720 Cherry Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Interment will follow service at Riverview Cemetery. Hill and Wood Funeral Service is in charge of her care.
Condolences may be shared with the family on the Tribute Wall.
