LCDR Augusta “Gussie” DeGeorge Miller, 90, of Cookeville

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL – LCDR Augusta "Gussie" DeGeorge Miller, US Navy Nurse Corp, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, peacefully at home at the age of 90. Gussie was born May 4, 1935, to the late Frank and Anna DeGeorge in Brooklyn, New York.

At the age of 10, the family moved to Phillipsburg, NJ, where she graduated from high school in 1952. She graduated from St. Luke's Hospital of Nursing, Sacred Heart Hospital School for Nurse Anestist in Allentown, PA, and the University of Maryland (BSN).

In 1960, Gussie joined the Navy Nurse Corp. Retiring with 20 years of service, Gussie was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Her duty stations were Naval Hospitals Camp Lejeune, NC; Guam; Great Lakes, IL; Beaufort, NC; Keflavik, Iceland; Newport, RI; 29 Palms, CA; Naples, Italy; University of Maryland; Portsmouth, VA; and NAS Memphis, TN, where she retired in 1981. Upon retirement from the Navy, she and her husband retired to Cookeville, TN. She worked with Upper Cumberland Anesthesia Association until her retirement in 1992.

She met her husband, CWO L.C. "Joe" Miller, in Keflavik, Iceland. They were married in 1978 in Portsmouth, VA. She was an avid bridge player. She and husband Joe traveled the country collecting whisky decanters (empty). She enjoyed working on the farm with Joe.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by brother Vincent DeGeorge (DJ) of Pittsburgh, PA; sister Vivian Beck (Donald) of Jupiter, FL; and a host of nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Minnie Lou Chandler of Bone Cave, TN; and step-son Lester "Tiger" Miller III (Katie); granddaughter Maile of Pa'auilo, Hawaii; and her favorite cousin Dominick Mauro of Haiku, Hawaii.

Private memorial graveside services with military honors will be conducted at a later date at Young Cemetery in White County, TN.

Memorial contributions may be made to Young Family Cemetery, c/o Peggy Robbins, 331 Will Rd, Sparta, TN 38583.

On behalf of my wife Gussie, I would like to thank the Putnam County Fire Department and EMS personnel and Sgt. Scott of the Putnam County Sheriffs Department for your quick and professional response to my 911 call. To all my wonderful neighbors, you are the greatest... thanks is a small word.

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931) 526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.