Morace “Mo” McMiller, Jr. affectionately known to his family as Reese, to his friends as Mo, and to his fans as Rhys Miller passed away suddenly October 16, 2017. He was born and raised in Akron, OH. Mo attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from Central-Hower High School. He attended the University of Arts and Science in Chickasha, OK. He was employed at The Music Settlement of Cleveland, OH. Mo had a love for the theatre and music. He worked at various performing arts organizations including The Second City Cleveland and The Cleveland Playhouse.
He was an extraordinary singer and performer. In Atlanta, GA, he played a number of venues including the Variety Playhouse, where he opened for such acts as Regina Belle and Pieces of a Dream as well as working with such acts as Maysa Leak, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Jeffrey Osborne, and Eric Benet.
In Northeast Ohio Mo played a command performance for the Mayor of Cleveland at City Hall and has performed at Nighttown Restaurant, Playhouse Square Center, The Cleveland Play House, The Second City Cleveland, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Bop Stop. He would end all his concerts by asking the audience to name a television show of which he would sing the theme song.
Mo was also talented in other areas; he was an avid reader (he could read a novel in one day) which led to a second career as a book editor. He also loved watching television and kept up with the latest entertainment news. His family and friends will miss his infectious smile, his boisterous laugh, and his quick wit. He had a sense of humor that all who knew him will remember. He was amazed with mysteries, and he studied, read books, and watched documentaries about serial forensic science.
He leaves to mourn his partner, Robert Cristo of Shaker Hts., OH; parents, Rev. Morace and Pamela McMiller, Sr. of Coventry Township, OH; sisters, Felicia McMiller of Stow, OH and Candace (Justin) Hilton of Brimfield, OH; his niece, Milan E. Hilton, whom his heart adored; extended family Charles (Julie) Shinn, Maria (Jack) Mosshammer, and Donell Phipps, and a host of relatives and friends.