Hundreds gather for public memorial service for Zell Miller

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Hundreds had the chance to say a final goodbye to Zell Miller on Monday.

The public memorial for the former governor and senator was held in Miller’s hometown of Young Harris, Georgia.

The event was held in Glenn-McGinnis Hall in the Clegg Fine Arts Building of the college where Miller was a professor when he ran for and won a state senate seat to launch his political career.

Speakers described Miller's HOPE scholarship legacy for Georgia.

"Zell Miller was all about HOPE. In a lifetime of service, it was his crowning accomplishment after more than a quarter of a century, it is so woven into the fabric of Georgia, we can't imagine life without it," said Miller's former speechwriter Paul Begala.

Miller's family said the 86-year-old died peacefully at his home with his family by his side just after 10 a.m. Friday.

Miller served as Mayor of Young Harris from 1959-1960. He served as a Georgia State Senator from 1961-1964. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia for 16 years from 1975-1991. He is currently the longest serving Lieutenant Governor in Georgia history.

“He’s had a lot of ties to this college,” said college junior Jose Rodriguez. “I mean, the library is dedicated to him. The baseball field, a man we all know, a very kind and generous man.”

Sophomore Laura Grace Holton remembers Miller every time she sees his name on buildings or his quotes in the library.

“And they go through my head whenever I walk through, and I think it’s incredible what he’s done for the school and for Georgia,” Holton said.

Miller served as the 79th Governor of Georgia from 1991-1999. As Governor, he created the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship and Georgia’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program. He went on to serve in the U.S. Senate from 2000-2005.

Holton and Rodriguez admitted they didn’t know that Miller created the very HOPE scholarship they use to attend Young Harris, but they’re both very glad he did.

“Devastating,” Rodriguez said. “He was a man who just did so much for us, so it’s truly appreciated and we’re mourning his loss.”

Cox Media Group