Hundreds flock to funeral of mum killed by skip lorry

Tributes were paid to mother-of-six, Gail Miller who was laid to rest at 12pm today at the Langley Banqueting and Conference Suites in the Parade, High Road, in Watford.

Her body was then taken to the West Hertfordshire Crematorium in Garston for a final farewell.

Gail, 59, died during an accident involving a skip lorry in Watford High Street, just before 1.10pm on Monday, March 12 outside Moss Bros at the junction with Market Street.

Pam Thacker, Gail’s friend of 23 years from Watford said today she was “deeply upset” when she learned of her death, adding: “My whole body went numb, I couldn’t believe it.”

Today, close to 1000 guests gathered in Gade House to mark Gail’s passing with her friends and family.

Gail, who was married to Guy Miller, the pastor at Elim Pentecostal Church in St Albans Road, Watford, leaves behind six children and ten grandchildren, with one on the way.

Gospel music and pop songs from Elton John and Abba were played as the guests filed in and before Gail’s coffin was brought down the aisle.

At 12pm, Tim Stokoe, pastor for Elim Pentecostal Church, told the crowd Gail “affected the lives of many” marking the occasion as a “day for celebration” before a choir lead the attendants in song, clapping and dancing.

Choir leader, Lincoln Beckford, 49, from Watford, said: “Gail was a loving mother to all. She loved God and people and will be remembered for that.”

Many prayers and speeches were said for Gail.

Pastor Tim Stokoe delivered a stirring eulogy describing Gail’s early life in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire growing up in a family of seven children, before she later took a career in a manufacturing company.

In 1976 Gail met her husband Guy Miller through a friend and on November 29, 1980 the couple married in Kirklees.

Between them they had six children: Warren, Guy, Simon, Darren, Gemma and Rachel.

Gail and guy were deeply religious and in 1993 they moved with the family to Watford and joined Elim Church where Gail supported her husband in the ministry.

Gail worked at the Disney Store in the Intu Centre Watford for 20 years and at The Courtyard Pre-School.

Gail’s children told stories of their mother who they affectionately described as “crazy” recalling playing board games, hospital visits and driving trips, adding: “Siblings are the best link to your family and family is the best link to our mum”.

They said how important god was to Gail, adding, “The best legacy she left was her faith”.

A video was played showing a last speech Gail delivered to her church in which she said: “Go out of your comfort zones, give love to all – let’s be different.”

Gail’s husband, Guy Miller paid the last tribute to his wife, saying: “Gail’s race had come to an end and she has gone home. My heart is saddened but not troubled. Today is a thanks giving, but it is not the end.”

Louis McGovern who knew Gail for 18 years said she was her shoulder to cry on, and a genuine lady.