Alan Brent Miller, 28, of Roanoke, Va., died Friday in High Point, N.C.

He was a graduate of Greeneville High School, class of 1999, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and religion from Western Kentucky University.

His family provided the following statement: "Alan was a gifted writer and was the national winner of the Robert Penn Warren Centennial Essay Award.

"Alan was a member of Towering Oaks Baptist Church, where he was blessed to be part of a very active youth group and where he created lifelong friendships and a lifelong faith in God.

"Alan spent most of his last years working and caring for the homeless in Roanoke, Va. His passion for the less fortunate and 'those life had walked on' was his life's work."

Survivors include his parents: Robert and Karen Miller of Parrottsville; his sister and brother-in-law: Laura and Han Ong and a nephew: Noah Ong, all of Batesville, Ark.; his grandparents: Kermit and Laverne Willian of Munfordville, Ky.; several special aunts and uncles: Carletta and David Douglas of Winchester, Ky., Ron and Brenda Miller of East Bernstadt, Ky., Rodney Willian, and Tim and Lisa Willian, all of Munfordville, Ky., Todd and Allison Willian of Franklin, Ky.; and a number of cousins, other family members, and friends in several states and around the world.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Casper and Blanche Miller.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Towering Oaks Baptist Church.

The funeral service will follow visitation beginning at 8 p.m. at the church.

The Rev. Dennis Shumate and the Rev. Bob Cardinal will officiate.

Interment will be in Goodman Family Cemetery in Munfordville, Ky.

Pallbearers will be Han Ong, Justin Woolsey, Brad Woolsey, Jon Rogers, Chris Shumate, Andrew Shumate, and Nathan Hale.

Honorary pallbearers will be his many, many friends, teachers, coaches, and classmates.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Greene County Food Bank, 107 N. Cutler St., Greeneville, TN 37743 or any other ministry of the donor's choice.

Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the Miller family at http://www.kiserrosehill.com .