SMSgt Michael W. Miles, USAF Ret.

Michael Wilfred Miles of Fort Walton Beach, Florida departed this life on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.  Born in Charles City County, Virginia on December 30, 1941 the second son of the late James Andrew Miles, Sr. and the late Lucille Gloria Miles. Michael accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Gildfield Baptist Church in Charles City County, Virginia.

Michael was educated in Charles City Public Schools where while a student of Ruthville High School he participated in the school’s athletic programs.  He was particularly adept at baseball and later played for the Charles City Black Sox. Michael was scouted for major league teams and although he never played major league, because of his exceptional capabilities, he was regarded as somewhat of a legend in Charles City and the surrounding communities.  Secondarily to his love of baseball was his love of fishing and hunting.  You could say he was the ultimate outdoorsman. 

Michael furthered his education by attending Virginia State University where his studies were cut short due to receiving a draft from the United States Army.  Instead of Michael accepting the draft, he chose an alternative path by enlisting in the United States Air Force. Following Tech School, Michael was assigned to Brookley AFB in Mobile, Alabama where he met and married, the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Dials on December 7, 1963. After a 28 year of faithful military service, Michael retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in September 1989.  Michael spent a number of years following his military career working in his favorite pastime, umpiring in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area.

Michael leaves to mourn his passing and to celebrate his life his wife of over fifty-six years Dorothy Jean Miles, a loving daughter, Zena Miles-Payne (Carl), a devoted son, Michael A. (Patrice), granddaughters Charisma Payne, Chiara Gray, and Alyssa Miles, grandson Aaron Miles, step-mother Vestine Miles, two brothers James A. Miles, Jr. (Sarah) of Hampton, Virginia and Vandue Miles (Alice) of Richmond, VA,  and a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.  Michael was preceded in death by his parents.

Please join us as we share in celebrating his life, Thursday morning March 12, 2020 at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave. SE. Ft. Walton Beach, Florida with visitation @10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. a celebration of life service.  Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Beal Memorial. 

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