A. Myles Haynes Jr.

Alton Myles Haynes, Jr. of Charlotte passed away on July 18, 2014. He was born in Cliffside, N.C. on May 17, 1927, the only child of Alton Myles Haynes, Sr. and May Hines Watkins Haynes. He attended UNC Chapel Hill until he enlisted with the U.S. Naval Air Corp in WW II where he served as an Air Crewman until discharge. He resumed his studies at UNC and graduated with a BA in Political Science in 1949. Myles continued his education at George Washington University Law School while working as a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Force and as secretary to his Congressman. He graduated with a law degree in 1952.

Myles’ esteemed legal career spanned 56 years. He began his legal career as a claims attorney, then shifted into trial law in 1959 as an associate with the firm of Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell, and Hickman. In 1961 he was a founding partner in the firm of Haynes and Bernstein where Myles remained as senior partner while it transitioned into the firm of Haynes, Baucom, Chandler, Claytor, Benton, and Morgan. Myles opened a solo practice in 1987, then joined the firm of Chandler, deBrun and Fink where he served as Of Counsel until he retired from full time practice in 1997. He continued a limited practice and acted as an arbitrator and a mediator in the Mecklenburg County Court System until 2012.

He was active in many professional, community, and civic organizations. He served in the Mecklenburg County Bar Association on the Executive Committee, as Chair for the Medical-Legal Committee and Judiciary Committee, and as a member of the Ethics Committee. He was a Master of the Bench of the William Bobbitt American Inn of Court. He was Chairman of the Board for the Mecklenburg County Welfare Department(now Department of Social Services)and was a member of the Board of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He was active in politics and served as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Mecklenburg County, as a member of the Democratic Party State Executive Committee, and as a member of the N.C. House of Representatives.

Myles will be remembered most for his love of family and friends, his zest for life, his wonderful sense of humor, and his enjoyment of meeting and learning from people in all walks of life. He was an active member of Sharon United Methodist Church. His interests over the years included coaching little league baseball, fishing at Murrell's Inlet, gardening, furniture restoration, and traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Christine Boger Haynes and their 3 children, of whom he was very proud , Alton Myles Haynes III of Pineville, N.C., Marybeth Haynes of Pineville, N.C. and Robert C. Haynes and wife Lynn of Troutman, N.C.; 2 grandsons, Brandon Field and wife Allison of Lexington, S.C. and Cameron Haynes of Troutman, N.C,; and 2 great grandchildren, Courtland and Joshua Field.

A service to celebrate his life will be conducted at Sharon United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 23rd at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends and family at the church immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church 4411 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28211