Ernest Richard Miles

Ernest Richard Miles of Jonesboro passed away September 7, 2014, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at the age of 89. He was born August 1, 1925, to Otis (Jack) and Tressie Miles of rural Craighead County. Ernest grew up in the Union Grove community and graduated from Bono High School.

Ernest joined the Navy during World War II and served on the USS Antietam until the end of the war. He was united in marriage to Betty C. Tiley of Trumann on June 13, 1953. He began his 47 year career as a John Deere dealer while working for Melton Brothers in Trumann. In 1960, he relocated to Malden, Missouri, where he retired from the business in 1993. In 1995, Ernest was recognized as the Malden “Citizen of the Year” for volunteering hundreds of hours of labor and carpentry skills in the completion of the Children’s Museum at Malden. In 1998, Ernest and Betty moved back to Jonesboro to be near family. He spent his retirement years working in his yard, his vegetable garden, and perfecting his woodworking skills by building everything from beds to barns. He rarely had to cut a board twice.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, a brother – Wayne Miles, a sister-in-law – Lorene Miles, and a great-nephew – Cody Broadway. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty, of the home, two daughters Phyllis (Rick) Neeley of Jonesboro and Nancy (Patrick) Bailey of Memphis, two granddaughters, Allison and Erin, and one great granddaughter Kirby. He is also survived by three brothers, Charles Miles of Huntsville, Alabama, Bill (Ann) Miles of Jonesboro, and Freddy (Ruth Ann) Miles of Jonesboro, one sister, Aliene (Bill) Clifft of Bono, and one sister-in-law, Glenda Miles of Jonesboro, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ernest was a member of First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro. Visitation is scheduled for 9:00 am Wednesday, September 10th, 2014 at the Emerson Funeral Home chapel and will be followed by the funeral service at 10:00. Reverend Patty Soward will officiate the service and burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
For lasting memorials, the family recommends honoring Ernest’s memory by supporting the following worthy causes: Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Ave., Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401; the Malden Children’s Museum,700A N. Douglas, Malden, Missouri 63863; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.