Dana Miller Packman

June 8, 2017

 

Dana M. Packman, 72, of Charlotte passed away quietly at home on June 8, 2017 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on February 4, 1945 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a daughter of the late Jasper N. Miller and Marguerite Wilson Miller. Dana graduated cum laude from Louisiana Tech, Ruston, LA, received a M.Ed. in Special Education from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an Ed.D in Special Education from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

A lifelong Christian, Dana was active in St. John’s Baptist Church where she was a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class and the Chancel Choir, a deacon and the accompanist for the Children’s Choir. Dana was active in the church’s mentorship/ support of the Sudanese Lost Boys in Charlotte and chaired the Hunger Committee at St. John’s for many years.

Dana spent much of her career working with learning disabled children in upstate New York as a private consultant and through the Genesee Hospital Pediatric Developmental Unit in Rochester. After the family moved to Charlotte in 1998, she served as a reading teacher in Mecklenburg County and Union County schools until her retirement in 2006.

She loved working with children, in church and in school, particularly those disadvantaged and less fortunate. Dana was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a woman of faith, selfless and generous. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, travel, playing the piano, skiing, running and yoga.

Dana is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Charles H. (Hank) Packman whom she met in college; two sons, Jon Packman and his wife, Beth of Lake Norman and Josh Packman and his wife Melissa of Marietta, GA; four grandchildren, Kendall, Brad, Abby and Alex. She is also survived by two brothers, Ray W. Miller and his wife, Kathy of Pineville, Louisiana and Keith Miller and his wife, Karen of Maryville, Tennessee; her Sudanese Lost Boy mentee, Joseph Majak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to her doctors, Iris Cheng and Andrea Diedrich, the staff at the Ivey Memory Wellness Day Center, her dedicated caregivers from CarePoint and the staff at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at St. John’s Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Memorials may be sent to The Endowment Fund of St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to The Ivey Memory Wellness Day Center, 6030 Park South Drive Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com Phone: 704 641-7606

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Comments

  • Neal McNabb

    Sorry to have learned of my old associates death. She was a superb member of The Genesee Hospital Developmental Unit program.She was a wonderful and talented clinician.But above all she was a caring and giving lady who had a big impact on all of those that she met.

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  • Jane and Warren Lineberger

    Hank, We are so sorry Dana had to go through what she did. We are sorry that we will not be able to attend the funeral. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We thought the world of Dana and she will be missed.
    Jane and Warren

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  • Dot Davis

    Deepest sympathy to the family of Dana Packman. My late husband and I were good friends of her parents, Marguerite and Jasper Miller. We were all long-time residents of Alexandria, LA and active members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. I remember what a wonderful young lady she was, and am glad she lived such an exemplary Christian life.

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  • Joyce Thompson

    Dear Dr. Packman & family, Very sorry to hear about Dana's passing. I have wonderfully fond memories of you all when you were in Rochester & we attended church together at RBC(I think). To read about all of Dana's work, church activities & hobbies is a lovely testament to a life full of love for everyone. God Bless You at this sad time of loss, Joyce Thompson

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  • Melody

    My very sad heart goes out to this precious family for the loss of sweet and loving soul. I have admired Dana since the day I met her. She will be missed but will always be remembered and fill me with a warm gentleness of her blessed spirit.

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  • David and Linda Fillers

    So sorry to hear about Dana. At least she is at peace now and we know she is with the Lord. You have both meant so much to our family and Rebecca remembers the time in the choir very clearly still. Our prayers are with you Hank and the family in this time of loss. No matter how much we prepare for what we know is coming we are still never quire ready. Thinking of you always. Dave and Linda

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  • Prad and Alka Phatak

    So sorry to hear of the loss.
    our thoughts and prayers re with you.

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  • Andre Lash

    What wonderful memories we have of Dana, going clear back to my time as a student in Rochester! It was one of our greatest joys to see her and Hank move to Charlotte. She was a blessing to all. .

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