Mr. Alton Sherwood Miles

***THE FAMILY OF DEACON ALTON SHERWOOD MILES WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE ARRANGEMENTS TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE. ***ON THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC VISITATION HELD FROM 4-7 P.M. AT THE GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH, ****A HOMEGOING SERVICE FOR DEACON ALTON MILES WILL BE HELD AT 11:00 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024 AT THE GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH. (THE DOORS WILL OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC VIEWING AT 9:00 A.M.) ****NOTE: PLEASE SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE FOR SERVICE TIMES & LOCATIONS IN HONOR OF DEACON ALTON MILES. __________________________________________ ****ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VIEW SERVICES ONLINE YOU HAVE (4) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM: 1. Go to Galilee Baptist Church's website at: gbckazoo.org -Or 2. Go to YouTube and type in The Galilee Baptist Church Lives Stream -Or 3. Go to Facebook, if you have a Facebook account. after logging in, type in Galilee Baptist Church -Or- 4. Use the GBC App, Instagram or Twitter ____________________________________________ ****MASKS ARE OPTIONAL---HAND SANITIZER WILL BE PROVIDED*** ____________________________________________ ***NOTE: DVD Tribute will be available soon ___________________________________________ Scroll Of Life Deacon Alton Sherwood Miles passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years displayed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, he came out a hero and stayed strong until his transition to eternal rest. Miles, as he was affectionately called by his Kalamazoo Community family, was born May 10. 1944 in Princess Anne, Maryland, the sixth of twelve children, to the late Alton T. and Frances Miles. He was a graduate of Somerset High School, University of Maryland (formerly Maryland State), where he excelled in baseball and his team was inducted in the Hall of Fame, Western Michigan University and Worsham Mortuary School. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he moved to Kalamazoo where he started a long career as an educator in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. He taught science and physical education and was a beloved coach prior to being an assistant principal and eventually being elevated to a distinguished principal. In his 35-year tenure in the school system, his pride was in his school and students, and he shared his passion for learning with thousands of students over the years. He will always be remembered as that no nonsense disciplinarian, but at the same time being compassionate and kind. He was also a treasured employee of Harper Funeral Home for close to fifty years under the guidance of his friend and mentor, the late Mr. Robert S. Harper Sr. Combined with his tremendous skills, he touched many families in the most vulnerable point of their lives. Miles was first a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Princess Anne, Maryland. When he relocated to Kalamazoo, he first united with North Community Reformed Church under the leadership of Pastor B. Moses James. Because of his affiliation with the Reformed Church, he became one of the first African American members of the Board of Trustees at Hope College. He then became a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late visionary Pastor, Dr. Otha Gilyard. He became a trustee, an ordained Deacon in 1985 and one of the founding members of the male Chorus, along with his friend and father figure, the late Mr. Caleb Fields. He later served under the capable leadership of Dr. Addis Moore. After uniting with Galilee Baptist Church, he served under the leadership of Bishop J. Louis Felton and his current Pastor, Bishop Michael T. Scott. At Galilee, he continued to serve as a Deacon until his health challenges, and he then was elevated to Deacon Emeritus. Some of his other servant leadership responsibilities included Rites of Passage/Youth Director, Men’s ministry, and member of the male chorus. He was honored for his servant leadership by becoming Man of the Year. Being not only a cherished servant leader, but also the well-known community avid runner/walker, he extended that passion to his church family. As a result, the Galilee Men’s Ministry honored him again for his faithful and dedicated service to his community, church, and the Kingdom of God. This spearheaded the inaugural Brother Miles’ Community Walk in July, 2022, which will be an annual event in tribute to this great man of God Brother Miles was a trailblazer, setting the example for the next generation. He was the epitome of excellence throughout his life’s journey. He embodied leadership, advocacy, and distinction across many community causes; therefore, he served on numerous boards and committees so he could make a difference in the community. It is impossible to encapsulate all the lives this humble man touched, the people he influenced, and the exponential impact he made in society during his time among us. Dear to his heart was his Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was also a member of the most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and accepted Masons in Michigan. He reached the high ranking of 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Mall City Golf League. Besides his beloved parents, Alton T. and Frances Miles, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-love, Percy and Mary Clark, his admired, eldest brother, Pastor William Miles and his wife, Dr. Frances Miles, his cherished brother, Pastor/Dr. Beverley Miles, his dear sister, Ruth Iona Scott, infant brother, Alvin Miles; a niece, Debbie Miles; two nephews, Pastor David Allen Miles and A.W. Smith; a sister-in-love, Betty (BJ) Miles Survivors include his devoted wife of 53 years, Sadie; his cherished sons, Scott (Yulonda) Miles and Steven (Valeria) Miles; five grandchildren, Albany, Tailor, Shon, Samira and Paige; five great-grandchildren, Aden, Avery, Trinity Rose, Gianni and Baby Tru; his brothers, Kairl (Mary) Miles, Pastor/Dr. Wayne (Joyce) Miles, Rev. Donald (Faye) Miles, Elder Lewis (Vicky) Miles; his beautiful sisters, Ethel (Wayne) Reed. Margaret Bratton and Nancy Miles; brother and sister-in-love, Dr. Percy and Sue Clark; sister and brother-in-love, Lola Clark and Donald Atkinson; sister-in-love, Angela Miles; a nephew who was like a son, Craig (Ronita) Atkinson; two special goddaughters, Nicole Jackson Hitchens and Keila Miles. Also surviving him are a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Miles was a pillar in the Kalamazoo community. He was also the patriarch of our family, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather. He was also a humanitarian, mentor, friend, confidante, but most importantly a servant leader, a Child of God. “Job well-done, Alton Sherwood Miles. Rest well, my good and faithful servant.” In the words of his favorite gospel song, “May The Work He’s Done Speak For Him.”

Mr. Alton Sherwood Miles

May 10, 1944 - July 3, 2024