Father Felix Miles

Reverend Willis Felix Miles, 81, of Nashville, Tennessee, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully in the presence of family on January 10, 2026. Father Felix was a gifted Orthodox Christian parish priest, whose sermons were powerful, profound, inspirational and healing. He possessed a rare ability to affirm the value of each person, making them feel important and loved. He was a wonderful and devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, who always made sure to tell his family that he loved them with each communication.

Father Felix was born in Gorgas, Alabama, on June 23, 1944, the son of Reverend Delbert H. and Grace Miles. As the son of a United Methodist Minister, Father Felix lived in many small towns and cities in Alabama, forging strong bonds with his siblings, who were his best friends. He was guided and protected by his older sister and brother, Gaynelle and Howard. When his younger sister, Sarah Jane, joined the family, Father Felix cherished being her big brother and protector. He graduated from Tarrant High School in the Birmingham area, where he was class President. Father Felix next graduated from his father’s alma mater, Birmingham-Southern College, in 1966. While in college, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and obtained his license to preach from the United Methodist Church. While balancing a rigorous college courseload, he began serving small parishes in rural Alabama communities, which was the beginning of a lengthy career in the ministry.

Father Felix obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Bangor Theological Seminary and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary. He began his seminary studies at Duke University Divinity School, where he met undergraduate student Diane Ellis. Although he chose not to complete his seminary studies at Duke, his time in Durham resulted in his marriage to Diane in August 1971. They eventually settled in Diane’s native New England, first in Maine, then the Boston area. In his later years, Father Felix would wistfully recall his time in New England, particularly the sounds and smells of the South Shore of Boston, as well as his favorite cuisine, New England seafood.

Father Felix was a lifelong learner, with a particular passion for theological studies and the healing power of the Gospel. His career path took many turns, with a few detours along the way. In the 1980s, he left the ministry to pursue a career in finance, including working at Dean Witter in Boston. His search for theological authenticity ended with his conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity in 1997. He initially served as a Priest in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian archdiocese, until moving to Huntsville, Alabama in 2002, where he became the Parish Priest of Holy Cross-Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, serving for 10 years.

Father Felix’s last decade was filled with joy, love, and deepening his bond with family. In 2015, his beloved granddaughter, Irene, was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Later that year, Father Felix began serving Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Nashville as an Emeritus Priest, where he gained wonderful friends and shared his gifts with a large and vibrant community. He was a strong presence in Irene’s life, regularly attending her milestone events. He particularly enjoyed her piano recitals and softball games. He found immense joy in Irene’s frequent visits and overnight stays, especially when she played the piano and sang for him. As his health faltered and he became increasingly homebound, he focused on his faith, twice re-reading the Bible in its entirety.

Father Felix possessed a curious mind and held many interests. He loved animals, particularly his dogs. The addition of Ginger and Bella to the household in 2024 brought him great comfort. He was well-traveled, including visits to the United Kingdom, Greece, and the Middle East. He enjoyed music, especially The Bee Gees, Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, and classical music, including soprano opera singers who reminded him of his wife's voice. He liked sports (but not the business of sports), especially the Boston Red Sox and Alabama Crimson Tide. Summer weekends watching the Red Sox with his sons were recent highlights.

Father Felix is survived by his beloved wife, Presbytera Diane Ellis Miles, sons Eric (Scarlett) and Daniel (Lety), and granddaughter Irene. He is also survived by his older brother, Howard, his younger sister, Sarah Jane, their families, and many cousins on his mother’s (the Barker family) side. He is predeceased by his father and mother, Delbert H. and Grace Barker Miles, and his sister, Martha Gaynelle Elliott.

The family wishes to recognize the innumerable health care providers who treated Father Felix in recent years, especially cardiovascular surgeons Dr. Tarek Absi and Dr. John Trahanas, whose heroic efforts in 2023 blessed Father Felix and his family with time used to develop more lasting memories. The family also wishes to recognize Father Jarrod Russell for his love and attentiveness to Father Felix. The family is grateful to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church community for its outpouring of love and support.

Father Felix will lie in state on Thursday January 15, 2025, from 4-6:45 with a Trisagion to follow at 6:45 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 16, 2025, at 11 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church followed by the burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In remembrance of Father Felix’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Sampson Medical Clinic, St. Sampson Medical Clinic - Home; The Jimmy Fund, The Jimmy Fund | Support Cancer Research | Donate & Join Us to Defy Cancer; or Overbrook Catholic School’s Endowment Fund, www.overbrook.edu/giving.