Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by David Smith
and Carol Pappas
Dr. Alex and Janis Miller were never strangers to giving back to their community. They still aren’t.
In 1991, they founded Lakeside Hospice, a not-for-profit organization to care for the terminally ill, and they dedicated themselves to it financially and physically for the first years of its existence.
Dr. Miller has since passed away, but his legacy of giving back has taken the form of a community walking trail that bears his name. The winding trail outside the hospice headquarters on Alabama 34 in Pell City is “open to everyone. Everybody is welcome,” said Paul Garing, executive director of Lakeside Hospice, moments before cutting the ribbon on it.
It truly is a community gift to share, he said, noting that the entire community is welcome to not only walk there but “to hold events and fundraisers and further spread the word of Lakeside Hospice.” It was built from a vision to promote healthy living.
Miller served as the nurse on call 24/7 in those early days of hospice, and husband Alex served as medical director. It was the first not-for-profit hospice in Alabama, and that meant personal sacrifices of time and money to keep it going. “It was about Alex’s dream and what he wanted for his people – good, decent care to terminally ill patients,” she said.
And three decades later – “as long as we’ve been in business, it’s the same quality,” she said. “I’m so proud of our hospital, staff, volunteers and board.”
The trail, built by FlowMotion Trail Builders of Alabama, features a meandering path around the property as well as a fire pit to be dedicated to Dr. James Tuck, the current medical director. Mrs. Miller along with the Daniel Foundation financed the project.
A monument and sign honoring Dr. Miller welcomes one and all at the trellis entry to the trail.
