Othell Miller, Jr

Please note that the repast is open to all family and friends that would like to attend. If anyone would like to share any words of encouragement and stories, you are welcome to do so at the repast.   

Nearest Parking: ALFWC Church Parking Lot or Morris Street Parking Deck, 70 New Street, New Brunswick, NJ (entrances on New Street and Morris Street - behind the 7-Eleven and Rockoff Apartments)

Othell J. Miller, Jr. was born on August 23, 1975 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Othell J. Miller, Sr. and Gearline (Gewel) Delk Miller. From an early age, he brought joy and light into the lives of all who knew him. He was known for his kind heart, sense of humor, determination, and compassion. He touched countless lives with his generous spirit! Growing up, Othell was fondly known by his family and close friends as Chico; simply because his father was referred to as Puncho. He, like his father, “never met a stranger,” and engaged in conversation with various people as time afforded him. Othell was a positive influence to his peers at a very young age and always the philosopher.

Othell received salvation as a teenager in 1992. He was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and joined Breath of Life Christian Center in Memphis, TN, under the leadership of Dr. Sammie Holloway. During his college years, Othell was under watchcare at Born Again Church in Nashville where Bishop Horace Hockett was the Senior Pastor.

Othell’s profound love for Jesus led him to become a devoted member of Abundant Life Family Worship Church (ALFWC) in 1999, under the spiritual guidance of his spiritual parents, Bishop George Searight and Pastor Mary Searight, with whom he remained closely connected until his passing. Throughout his years at ALFWC, he faithfully served in numerous ministries, including Drama, Media, the Wellness Ministry, the Men’s Ministry, Singles Ministry, Prison Ministry, and the Prayer Call Moderator Team, where he could be heard praying, ministering, and sharing the Word as it was laid upon his heart.

He attended Memphis City Schools graduating from Treadwell High School in 1993. It was in high school that Othell found his love for drama and theater. After high school, Othell attended Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville,TN. During his matriculation, Othell was a member of the Forensics Team (the competitive art of public speaking) for which he won numerous awards. He also appeared in several theater productions including August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and Miss Evers’ Boys.

As a Speech and Communication major, Othell had the opportunity to intern with WSMV Channel 4 News. He strongly considered a career in broadcast journalism, but his first love won out. After completing his bachelor’s degree in 1998, Othell attended the University of Florida’s School of Theater + Dance. Although he enjoyed the people and the weather, he sought a more rigorous academic opportunity. In 1999, he auditioned for Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts and was accepted into their prestigious MFA in Theater Arts program in New Brunswick, NJ. He graduated from Rutgers in 2002.

Othell taught Acting & Public Speaking for the last 25 years, both on a collegiate and secondary school level. He worked as an adjunct professor at Middlesex College in New Brunswick before starting his 20 year tenure in the Plainfield School District. After several years at Plainfield High School, he was recruited to join the faculty at the newly created Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS). PAAAS is a magnet school specializing in visual and performing arts. Othell thoroughly enjoyed his position and the opportunity to help shape the minds of students interested in the theater arts. He also performed in and/or directed numerous theater productions.

In 2017, Othell founded OJM International, LLC., a company that provided both private one-on-one training on acting, speech, and public speaking; and, conducted group communication workshops for corporations, universities, and churches. In 2018, Othell founded the Speaking to Impact podcast, a platform through which he offered proven tools and thoughtful strategies to empower others to communicate with clarity and confidence. In 2020, Othell founded the UPLIFTED podcast, bringing hope, encouragement, and spiritual guidance to listeners during life’s most challenging seasons through the power of prayer. Othell was a lifelong wordsmith, devoted to the craft of language, and his literary journey culminated in the publication of his poetry collection, Tears of a Man.

One of the greatest joys of Othell’s life was his courtship of and marriage to his beloved, Michelle (Browne) Miller. On February 22, 2025, they were united in holy matrimony by Rev. Gregory Smith in Clifton, NJ, surrounded by loved ones who journeyed from near and far to celebrate this cherished milestone.

Othell had a dynamic and charismatic personality. He was a scholar, motivator, visual and performing artist, thrill seeker, confidante, prolific orator, and comedian. After a fit of laughter, he often cited Proverbs 17:22, “a merry heart does good like medicine” (NKJV). He had a commanding yet comforting presence. He was handy, like his father, and an avid DIY’er. Most importantly, Othell was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, and mentor who lived by his favorite quote, “to thine own self be true.”

Othell was preceded in death by his father, Othell J. Miller, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Clifford Miller, Sr.; and maternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Willie M. Delk. He leaves to cherish with fond memories his wife, Michelle; his mother, Gewel Delk Miller of Memphis, TN; his sisters, Christina (Jarret) Torian, and his “little dudes” Parker and River Torian of North Brunswick, NJ; Felicia Miller, Jada Miller, and Jasmine Miller of Memphis, TN; his aunts, Lois Avery and Gloria Jean Delk of Memphis, TN; his uncle Larry Delk also of Memphis, TN; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.