Community mourns the loss of Stanford Mayor Dalton Miller

By Abigail Roberts

Dalton Miller embodied all that a community could want from a city mayor – whether it was leading the local parade in full costume or at monthly city council meeting to discuss finances – and he leaves behind a legacy of service.

“We lost a pillar of our community with the passing of Stanford Mayor Dalton Miller,” Judge Executive Woods Adams said on Facebook Sunday. “Mayor Miller was a tremendous leader for not only Stanford but the people of Lincoln County.”

Miller passed away after a two-year battle with colon cancer. A community prayer service was recently held for Miller, during which he said he had done everything he wanted to do in life but watch his wife and grandchildren grow old.

“He was a man I considered a great friend and he will be deeply missed,” Adams said. “Condolences and prayers to his family, friends and our community.”

The county courthouse flag will be flown at half staff as the community mourns Miller, he said.

When the former late Mayor Scottie Ernst passed away unexpectedly in a mowing accident, Miller was elected in a 2020 special election. Miller had served on the city council for two terms prior to becoming mayor.

He was reelected to a full term in 2022. WPBK-FM noted that Miller is the third Stanford Mayor claimed by death in the past 12 years. T.J. Hill won the 2014 election but passed away unexpectedly two weeks later, before taking office.

The Stanford City Council will appoint an interim mayor to serve until the November election.

Local agencies, friends, family and community members have taken to Facebook to share their condolences and mourn the man they say was a pillar of the community.

In a statement from Stanford City Hall the city said the difference that Miller has made in Stanford will be felt far longer than any of us will live to see.

“There are not enough words to tell you thank you, but know that you have forever changed us,” the statement reads.

Aside from performing the average duties of mayor well, the city said Miller instilled in them a sense of pride, leadership and value of community that will always be remembered.

The City of Stanford posted the following statement:

“Yes, we are better financially, staffed stronger than ever, equipped with the tools we need to succeed, growing economically and fiscally, but above all that you showed us how to:

-Lead by example, family is ALWAYS first. Speak truth into their lives, even when they don’t like it. Make time. Love them fiercely!

-Be proud of your hometown, know its history, support it. “They” are you! We need each other more than we want to admit. Heaven will not have sections filled with only the people you like.

-Value others! “I don’t have to know everything. I just need to surround myself with people who do.”

Relationships matter! Surround yourself with people you trust and then empower them to be the best they can be.

I’ve worked a lot of places in my years, but never have I felt more capable and grown so much. I was never afraid to say I made a mistake. I knew I would not be yelled at or condemned, but given the encouragement and whatever help I needed to make it right.

-Love out loud! “He may have made a mistake but he is still my friend and he needs to know he’s loved, so I told him.” Words matter, say them and say them often.

-Fight and fight hard! Then trust God with the outcome. His way is always good. In the mean time, find someone else to help. Your work isn’t done just because life gets hard.

-Be ready, we aren’t home yet! “Y’all listen, if you want to see me again, get your heart and life right with Jesus, ‘cause that’s where I’ll be.”

Miller was also a U.S. Army veteran who worked tirelessly to better the lives of his fellow veterans. Miller loved America and never missed an opportunity to talk about how much he loved his country.

Spurlin Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.