Alta May Woodworth Miller

Alta May Woodworth Miller, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, registered nurse, friend, and mentor to many, passed away on February 4, 2025. Family and dear friends were with her in the days leading to her passing.

Alta was a free and adventurous spirit with an innate curiosity about the world that drove everything she did. She had a thirst for knowledge and was well read. She was a good conversationalist and those in her presence felt important and heard. Her unwavering leadership and commitment in many areas including social justice work and support for individuals suffering memory loss and their families earned her respect and admiration. Alta dedicated her life to caring for others, improving the communities in which she lived, and creating conditions where people could live their best lives.

Alta is survived by her children Warren (Jackie) of Winchester, VA, Lynn (Alex Serrano) of Springfield, VA, and George (Jennifer) of Charles Town, WV; grandchildren Stephen, Jeffrey, Jared, Marta, and Dylan; nieces Lisa and Cindy; and an extended family of cousins, grand nieces and nephews, and a loving circle of friends from many eras of her life. Alta was preceded in death by her husband Dabney Nevelle Miller of Topping, VA.

Born on February 21,1931 in Cornwallville, NY, Alta was the daughter of Hannah Wheat Woodworth and Milton Bock Woodworth. Alta grew up working alongside her parents and younger brother William (Bill) on their farm in the Catskill mountains where they had an egg business and summer boarding house. After high school, Alta attended Cazenovia Junior College. Influenced by her father’s sister who was a nurse, Alta continued her education at the Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City graduating in 1953. Following four years of nursing, in 1957, she traveled and worked in

Europe. It was there she met her future husband Dabney who was stationed in Paris with the US Army. Their chance encounter on a blind date sparked a 57-year romance and partnership.

Alta and Dabney began their married life in 1959 near Topping while Dabney taught high school before moving to Charlottesville and later Aylett. In 1965, they took their young family to Northern Virginia where Alta worked at the Alexandria Hospital and taught music at a church-based kindergarten. Living near to Washington DC, they became strongly aware of the challenges facing urban families and youth. They opened Dabney's homeplace on Locklies Creek in Topping and held summer camps for inner-city children and youth.

It was at this point, that Alta and Dabney stepped away from professional careers and took a leap of faith to give leadership to efforts that would have a lasting impact on the lives of many.

With the support of the DC based Church of the Savior, Alta joined Dabney in founding and running the FLOC (For Love of Children) Wilderness School outside Strasburg, VA. The year-round camp school served children in need of assistance. In 1975, Alta and Dabney moved the family to Shepherdstown, WV where they lived in an intentional Christian community with several families who built the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat in the Blue Ridge mountains. During this time, Alta returned to nursing before finishing her career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. In her retirement Alta returned with Dabney to Topping. Alta spent summers hosting her grandchildren, putting up canned vegetables, and growing lavender which she sold at the farmers’ market in Williamsburg. She completed training to serve as Parish Nurse at Harmony Grove Baptist Church, taught Sunday School, and volunteered in the community.

Her last chapter was lived following Dabney’s passing in 2014, when she moved in 2017 to the Greenspring Senior Living Community in Springfield, VA where she could be in proximity to her children. It was there she made many new friends and pursued new interests while continuing to maintain ties with her former groups.

Alta’s greatest joy came from being with others. She loved to dance, enjoyed singing, watching movies, attending concerts, being in book groups, holidays with family, and had a passion for the outdoors. Alta will be remembered for her giving and kind spirit, her enduring love for family and friends, her outspoken advocacy for those most in need, and of course for her crab cakes and deviled eggs. Her children, grandchildren, and extended family will miss her greatly.

A celebration of Alta’s life will be held at 11 am on March 29 at The Village Church, Greenspring Senior Living Community at 7420 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA. The interment of ashes will be in early summer at the Harmony Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 7722 General Puller Hwy, Locust Hill, VA 23092.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat 691 Christ Church Road, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 or online at www.rollingridge.net.