Julia C Miles

Julia Louise Crotwell Miles, age 96 of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, surrounded by the loving care of all of her children. She was born on July 1, 1925, on a farm near Pulaski, Mississippi. She was the third and only daughter of Grover Alexander Crotwell and Ruby Ann Eliza Crotwell. Louise’s rural childhood during the Great Depression shaped her life and taught her the value and satisfaction in hard work, the importance of family, joy in nature, and the strength to be found in showing loving kindness to others.

After high school, Louise moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she attended business school and worked during World War II. On June 2, 1946, just after the war ended, Louise married Dean James Miles who at the time was studying forestry at Mississippi State University. Over the next 10 years, they had 5 children together and lived in a number of small towns in Mississippi. In 1974, they settled in Montgomery where Dean worked in the central office of the Alabama State Forestry Commission. They lived there together until Dean died in 2003 after 57 years of marriage. Louise lived on in their small house until she passed away her home.

Louise was a simply extraordinary woman. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, sewing, crocheting, sharing stories from her childhood, playing cards and games, especially gardening which she did well into her 90’s. She loved fishing, and this was a favorite activity to share with her grandchildren. She made endless jars of jelly and jam, often from fruit scavenged from roadsides or neighbors’ trees. These she shared with family, friends, and sometimes strangers. She was active in her church and a help and inspiration to others throughout her long life. She was an enduring influence on her family and others imparting wisdom, grace, and humor simply by living in kindness and showing acceptance and generosity to all.

Louise will be missed by all her children; Ruth Ann Miles (Warren Scheer), Donna Louise (Michael) Hall, Glenn Alexander (Barbara) Miles, George Cameron Miles and Nathan Dean (Lana) Miles; 11 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Perry Hill United Methodist Church beginning at 11:00am. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to UMCOR, (United Methodist Committee on Relief) umcmission.org or to the Perry Hill United Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WhiteChapel-GreenwoodFH.com for the MILES family.