JEWELL W MILES

Jewell Bailey Miles, 79 yrs. old of Live Oak, Texas, gained her heavenly wings on June 18, 2023. She was born as Jewell Wyona Bailey on March 4, 1944, Clearwater, Florida of Pinellas County.  Jewell was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always there for her family and friends, and she often put their needs before her own. She was a kind and compassionate person, with a huge heart always ready to help those in need. One of Jewell’s favorite pastimes was gardening. She could grow a plant from a leaf and nurture the smallest twig into a strong, healthy tree. She was the same with family and others she cared about, always graciously helping when needed or assisting someone down on their luck to help them back on their feet. Her heart was huge and caring of others her entire life.

Jewell is survived by her two children Danielle S Miles, Eddie J Miles III, granddaughter Olivia Miles, and two great grandchildren Wesley and Reina, her siblings Major General Edward Bolton, Rodney Bolton, Deryl Bolton, and Dr. Karen Bolton. She was preceded in death by her husband retired U.S. Air Force Major Eddie J. Miles Jr. (aka Ed Miles), her mother Louise D. Bolton, by her younger brother James Bailey and stepfather Edward Bolton Sr.

Jewell attended elementary school in Clearwater, Florida where she was raised with her brother James Bailey by her grandparents Alberta Harris and Augustus Harris. There she grew up and played with her aunts, Mary, Dorothy, Helen, and Penne, who were all very close in age. Jewell loved to climb the orange trees and occasionally got into mischief by throwing oranges at people below. She also loved to walk around the neighborhood and spend time with the elderly people, one of whom gave her a chicken to raise that she loved dearly. This was her home until fifth grade. At 10 years old, her mother returned to her life and moved her and her brother to Erie, Pa to start a new life with her stepfather, Edward Bolton, Sr . The new family then gained siblings Dr. Karen Bolton, Deryl Bolton, Rodney Bolton, and Major General Edward Bolton, Jr. She graduated in Erie from Academy High School in 1961. One of her favorite memories was going to a dance with an exchange student from Pakistan that a friend of hers had arranged for her. She and the gentleman enjoyed many outings together which she remembers fondly to this day as part of her High School memories.

Jewell left home at 17 to attend Edinboro State College where she majored in French / Education. There she also joined the college dance team, which she enjoyed tremendously. When her mother had a serious car accident, she had to drop out of college and return home to take care of her 4 younger siblings. After two years, she learned of another college opportunity from a preacher one day while working as a waitress in a restaurant. It was  called Wilberforce University and he told her how to apply for scholarships and financial aid to attend tuition free. She followed his directions and got a full scholarship to finish her studies. It was there she also pledged her beloved sorority Delta Sigma Theta. 

After graduating from Wilberforce, she moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968 to live with her aunt Bert. After one week, her aunt told her she had to get a job and work, so she worked and soon earned enough to pay for her own apartment which she shared with a roommate. It was through her roommate that she met her future husband. At the time, her roommate was dating someone from Lowry Air Force Base. One day, her roommate’s date wanted to set up his roommate with Jewell. They met on a blind date. He would wait for her daily in his yellow Firebird for her to return from work. They've been together ever since. They married in 1969 and two weeks later they were headed to Izmir, Turkey. This began her life as a military spouse living overseas and raising a family. She had a daughter Danielle in 1970 and a son Eddie III in 1971. The family lived and traveled all over Europe for 15 yrs. to places such as Turkey, Italy, Germany, and West Berlin to name a few. They are now reunited in heaven.

Jewell had an amazing spirit, a love of foreign languages and in particular French (her major in college) and enjoyed teaching in a variety of settings throughout her life including an elementary school, ESL classes, GED classes, and at the University of Alabama. 

THE FAMILY REQUESTS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO THE AMERICA HEART ASSOCIATION IN MEMORY OF JEWELL MILES