James Miles

James Miles was born on October 31, 1932, in Dover, Delaware, to the waiting arms of his parents, James Miles, Sr. and Marie Miles. He was the only brother of four sisters. He finished his earthly journey on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the age of 85. His destination was heaven. James received his formal education in the Delaware school system. He was a quiet and private person who enjoyed fishing and playing horseshoes. He received Christ at an early age at Union Baptist Church in Dover, Delaware, under the leadership of the late Rev. James H. Williams. James was very active in the music ministry, as he sang with the Traveling Lights Quartet of Union Baptist. During his illness, James often nourished his soul and memory by listening to the recorded music of the Mighty Clouds of Joy or The Five Blind Boys, as well as reminiscing about his best friend, Rev. Theophilus Freeman, or walking his dogs, Peaches and Coco. In 1951, James was called to serve in the United States Armed Forces, from which he received the Good Conduct Medal and an honorable discharge. He married Doreina C. Walley and together they had two children, Marcus Walley and Tina Miles, and raised two nieces, Della and Hope. James was a dedicated supporter of the ministry of his wife, Bishop Doreina C. Miles, who was Pastor of First Pilgrim Baptist Church, and worked faithfully, keeping the building and grounds in mint condition. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by three of his sisters, Dorothy, Catherine, and Virginia; Virginia‘s husband (James Randolph Wright); and 12 brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. He leaves to cherish his death: his beloved wife, Bishop Doreina C. Miles of Dover; a son, Marcus Vernon Walley (Mona); a daughter, Rev. Tina Miles; a sister, Mary Etta Miles, all of Dover; three brothers-in-law, Rev. Monroe Freeman (Retha) of Dover, Freeman T. Freeman of Rhode Island, and Rev. Anthony D. Freeman (Stephanie) of Dover; one sister-in-law, Della Scott of Washington, DC; two nieces, Della Freeman of North Carolina and Hope Freeman of Dover; a niece, Barbara White (Samuel), of Hermitage, Tennessee; two additional nieces, Antoinette Lake (Cecil) and Ivy Mae Freeman (Randall), both of Dover; and host of other family members and friends, too numerous to cite here. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Miles, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

James Miles

October 31, 1932 - July 15, 2018