The LIFE of DEACON JAMES MONROE MILES

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;"

All mankind is of one author. When one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language and every chapter must be translated.

James Monroe Miles was born in Heflin, Louisiana to the late Rev. Mack C. and Mrs. Viola Bailey Miles on March 13, 1921. His eternal flight arrived at 4:21AM, Tuesday, February 1, 2000 in the Minden Medical Center.

To record the first page of the chapter of James' life, thus the manuscript began: He received his formal education in Dubberly, Louisiana. He confessed Christ at the age of 13 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Deacon Miles was dedicated and served God and his church faithfully until his health failed. He was a member of the choir, Sunday School Superintendent (26 years), Church Treasurer (15 years), and a Deacon (28 years).

In 1942, James was inducted into the United States Army and served three (3) years and 27 days. While serving, James won 3 battle stars. He was honorably discharged in December, 1945.

And the Lord said, "it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." Thus we turn another page of the chapter of James' life. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Cleotra Bradley on March 3, 1948. God blessed them and said unto them, "be fruitful and multiply." Another page is recorded as God blessed them with a bouncing baby boy. His name, Lawrence.

God has now translated the chapter in Deacon Miles' life, and he has gathered the leaves and they have been bound in the volume for that library where every book shall lie open to one another. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving, supportive wife, Cleotra; a devoted son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Lawrence (Dorothy) Miles; two grandchildren, Tiffany LaNae and Lawrence Courtney, all of Garland, Texas, one sister, Bessie Mae Poindexter, Los Angeles, California; seven sisters-in-law, Mary L. Miles, Kearney, MO; Mary G. Miles, Washington, D.C.; Deborah Miles, Los Angeles, CA; Earnestine Martin, Ringgold; Clementine B. Miles, Houston, Texas; Elvera (Rev. W. W.) Watson, Monroe; Dora Mae (Bobby) Roberson, Dallas, TX: two devoted God-sons, Frederick Neal Miles and Donald Ray Timmons; one God-daughter, Marristine Hamilton; a host of neices, nephews, many other relatives, friends, and church family.