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NEWTON, Ga. (WALB) - Grace Hall Miller, a longtime Baker County School Board member and civil rights activist, died Friday, March 13, at her Baker County home outside Newton. She was 93.

Historian and journalist Clennon King confirmed her death, citing civil rights veteran Shirley Sherrod, Miller’s daughter. Sherrod did not specify a cause of death.

Miller attended local segregated schools and was a lifetime member of Thankful Baptist Church. Her children watched as she supported local civil rights efforts, hosting gatherings at her home following mass meetings and voter registration drives.

According to King, Miller’s activism served as a model for her daughters. Daughters Nannie Mae and Sandra were jailed for their civil rights work, while daughters Ruberta and Deborah integrated local schools.

King said Miller mounted a successful bid to desegregate Baker County’s all-white school board, on which she served for 36 years. She continued to support those who faced injustice after her retirement.

Miller’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. at Thankful Baptist Church, located at Newton Road and Thankful Church Road in Newton, Georgia. Meadows Funeral Home of Albany is handling arrangements.

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