Born March 12, 1938, to Clyde and Bernice Sawyer, Nancy met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Miller, at Union Seminary and they were married for more than 63 years.

She is survived by her two sons, Paul (Christina Matthews) and Alan (Amy Stallard); brother, Gilbert Sawyer; four grandchildren, Pyre, Robert, Marcus and Caleb; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, greatnieces, great-nephews and many, many friends for whom her memory will be a blessing.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, Joyce Sawyer.

Nancy grew up in California and received her bachelor’s degree in history from University of California, Berkeley, in 1960. She then studied at Union Theological Seminary where she met Dick. She earned her Master of Library Science Degree from Texas Women’s College in 1969. Nancy was a teacher and librarian at the Dallas County Community College District, Dallas Public Library, Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business; and the associate director of educational television, Dallas County Community College District.

Nancy pioneered the method of teaching we all now take for granted: distance learning. For over ten years, starting in 1970, Nancy worked at Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to develop the then unique idea of teaching college courses using video tape technology. She developed the initial curriculums, organized guest speakers and film shoots, and then revised the classes as needed.

In 1984, she received the Innovator of the Year award from the American Association of Community Colleges. After Nancy left the DCCCD, she was the founder and council chair of the English Language Ministry of the East Dallas Cooperative Parish. The program remains in Dallas to this day. In 1996, the Dallas County Adult Literacy Council gave her the 1996 Celebrate Literacy Award for her work.

Nancy was an active member of PEO, a women’s philanthropic educational organization, committed to the education of women around the world. She was a dedicated member of over 58 years in Chapter EI in Richardson, Texas, and Chapter R in Austin, Texas. Nancy and Dick were active members of Northridge Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas, where they taught Sunday school together, she served as an elder and on the worship and Christian committees; and First Presbyterian Church Austin, where she served as elder and deacon.

Nancy and Dick retired and moved to Austin and then to Elgin. For close to 20 years, they lived next door to Alan and Amy and enjoyed helping to care for their two children, Pyre and Robert. Nancy and Dick built a life dedicated to serving the community and were active members at First Presbyterian Church Elgin, Texas.

Her husband, Richard Alan “Dick” Miller, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. A joint memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Elgin at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Her family shares their appreciation for the dedicated care provided by St. David’s Hospital and Hospice Austin.

Memorials are requested for Elgin Community Cupboard, PO Box 895 Elgin, Texas 78621, or the charity of your choice.