James David Miles, Sr., 99, of Tifton passed away Thursday, August 29, 2019, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 1, 2019, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe officiating. Mr. Miles will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 1, 2019 in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
James “Jay” Miles III, Jordan Miles, Jack Lockhart, James Golden, Gary Deen and Drew Clements will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult 2 Sunday School Class of Tifton’s First Baptist Church and the staff of the Rehabilitation Services of Tifton.
Born February 12, 1920 in Metter, Mr. Miles was the son of the late John Berry Miles and Melrose Lane Miles. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Lula Mae Sowell Miles; one son, James David Miles, Jr.; one daughter, Sandra Lee Miles Maze; an infant daughter; and four brothers, Andrew Miles, Paulsen Miles, Malcolm Miles and Harold Miles. He received his Masters Degree in Agriculture from the University of Georgia and, before retiring, worked as a tobacco agronomist at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station for 27 years. He was very active in the Kiwanis Club of Tifton and was a supporter of the American Red Cross. He was a charter member of Brother Charlie’s Rescue Center; a member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church; and he loved to fish. He served for ten years as Chief Petty Officer in the United States Coast Guard and, when World War II started, he was transferred to the United States Navy.
Mr. Miles is survived by one son-in-law, Tom Maze of Tifton; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Hubert Miles of Pulaski and Robert “Bobby” and Carla Miles of Tifton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer Lynn and Jack Lockhart, Mary Simpson, James III and Jessica Miles, Brandi and John Jackson, Jordan Miles and Alexzandria Miles; seven great-grandchildren and their spouses, Laeken and Damien Jewell, Haley Simpson, Brenya Lockhart, Piper Jackson, Penelope Jackson, Kailani Miles and Kameron Miles; three great-great grandchildren, Caden Lockhart, Scott Golden and Madilyn Golden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Brother Charlie’s Rescue Center, P. O. Box 7712, Tifton, GA 31793; or the American Red Cross, 211 West 4th Street, Tifton, GA 31794.