Celebrating Black History Month in the WNCC: Mrs. Effie Miller
February 18, 2022
By: Jim Pyatt, WNCC Archivist & Historian
Mrs. Effie Miller (September 17, 1930-September 1, 2008)
Mrs. Effie Miller was a leader in the Western North Carolina Conference and the United Methodist Church, especially with regard to the United Methodist Women. A member at Saint Matthew’s UMC, Greensboro, she served from 1984-88 as President of the Greensboro District UMW. Then from 1988-92 she served as President of the Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Women, the first African-American to serve in this position.
As a lay member of the WNC Conference, Mrs. Miller served on numerous boards and agencies, including Conference Council on Ministries (1984), Conference Board of Pensions (1983-88), Conference Board of Trustees (1984-88), Conference Committee on Episcopacy (1993-96), and Conference Committee on Nominations (1993-96).
From 1988-96 Mrs. Miller served on the General Board of Global Ministries. While a member of GBGM, she served in numerous capacities, including service on the Committee on Nominations, the Committee on Program Resources, the Section on Christian Social Relations, and the Racial Justice Committee.
Be sure to read the other biographies written by WNCC Archivist & Historian Jim Pyatt:
Bishop L. Scott Allen (May 4, 1918-September 18, 2004), the first (and to date, the only) African-American to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.
The Rev. J. C. Peters (July 10, 1925- July 2, 1998), the first African-American to serve as a District Superintendent in the Western North Carolina Conference, overseeing the Winston-Salem/Forsyth District from 1968-74.
Mr. Clarence Winchester, a leader in the North Carolina Conference (Central Jurisdiction) and in the WNC Conference.
Dr. Isaac Miller (September 26, 1920-November 1, 2008), a leader in Higher Education and in the United Methodist Church.
Rev. Sophia Joyce East (January 25, 1906-May 4, 1996), the first African-American woman to serve as a pastor in the WNC Conference.