Ed Miles Jr...Community Liaison for San Antonio's District Attorney's Office Laid to Rest
Ed Miles: a trailblazer of good works
By Angela Covo | 22 de septiembre de 2012
San Antonio.- Monday morning, the city of San Antonio woke up to learn the sad news that Mr. Ed “Eddie” Miles, Director of Community Projects for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, suddenly passed away. He will be deeply missed, but he left a blazing trail of good works that changed our corner of the world for the better and lifted the hearts of everyone lucky enough to cross his path. Pastor Jeff Garner, Ed “Eddie” Miles and Jon Edwards, manager of The Palm, pose for a shot under Mile’s picture on the restaurant’s wall in this photo from July, 2011. (Photo by A. Covo) Click the headline for all the information and details for services.
By Angela Covo, angela.covo@gmail.com
To say Ed Miles cared and loved humanity is an understatement. He worked quietly behind the scenes connecting people, helping others succeed, putting ideas into motion to help everyone do better. Genial and easygoing, Miles would spur people to do their best for themselves and for others. And somehow, in spite of the fact he was involved in and committed to so many different things, he was always available – to share an idea, to offer a solution, to help.
Whenever anyone asked “Eddie” how things were going, he was always positive and he always answered: “So far … so good.”
His granddaughter, Olivia Miles, 18, explained it was amazing and overwhelming to see the outpouring of love this week for the family.
“You just don’t realize as you go along everyday how much he meant to others, too, or what an important man he was. He knew so many people and they all love him,” she said.
One of his favorite haunts was The Palm, where he is prominently featured on the wall with other popular figures. Today a black satin ribbon graces his countenance on the wall, a special tribute from his friends at the restaurant. He would sometimes go to lunch there with his dear friend, Tino Duran, publisher of La Prensa.
“We were friends, close friends, for many years – and Ed was a role model for me. At a certain point, I realized I was patterning my own life based on how he led his because he was such a good person,” Duran shared.
Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed, Mile’s “boss” as he would affectionately call her, eloquently explains the effect Ed Miles had on those around him.
“Eddie’s loss is one that grieves those who knew him and called him friend. He was just the nicest guy, plus the most caring and community oriented individual you would ever want to know and work alongside. For the last fourteen years, he spearheaded my community projects. His work in regard to violence education programs will forever positively affect countless numbers of individuals. Eddie’s work made a difference. I along with those working in my office feel a tremendous loss and there is now a hole in our lives that will not be filled,” she said.
The US Air Force vet and former City Councilman/Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Live Oak founded the monthly LightHouse Luncheon with the late Rev. Claude Black and his good friend, Floyd Wilson. He relished the opportunity to spread solid information and get everyone engaged.
Thanks to the luncheon, once a month, the city’s African American business and community leaders and interested citizens gather at the Plaza Club to listen to a keynote speaker and discuss important current issues that affect the community. The luncheons are open to everyone and I have often attended – learning more at a LightHouse luncheon than I ever could at a press conference. And as Ed Miles purposefully arranged it, people at the luncheon connect with each other, turn ideas into action and make positive changes happen.
Miles believed education was the key to being a contributing member of society. Education was Ed Mile’s passion and his grandaughter, Olivia, knows how strong his advocacy could be.
“He would always text me did you pass this, did you do that. My grandfather wanted to be sure I was getting all I could out of my education,” Olivia, a music education major at UTSA recounted.
Miles particularly loved his work as a former Chair and active member of the North East Independent School District’s Academy of Creative Education Advisory Council. ACE was a program designed to give students who aren’t able to go the traditional high school route for a variety of reasons, succeed. He attended every graduation ceremony with pride and watched "his" kids get their diplomas in spite of any adversity that faced.
He also directed the San Antonio chapter of “Do the Write Thing,” a program that gives middle schoolers a chance to think, write and shine with essays around an assigned theme every year. He would take the winners to Austin for regional recognitions, and often our San Antonio kids would get a shot at the top award … and Miles would take them to Washington, D.C. and make sure their experiences there would be unforgettable.
Miles even taught Government at the Alamo Colleges. Every semester, his students would hear from elected officials, go on field trips to talk with Civil Rights leaders like Charles Williams who could impart living history and a real sense of why it matters to get involved.
Williams, one of Miles’ great friends, recalled how much fun it was to tease the staunch Republican.
“We had some great debates, I’ll sure miss that,” Williams said.
Appropriately, Miles is featured in the Who's Who in Black San Antonio from 2010 through 2012, and he wrote a powerful introduction for the 2012 edition. Publisher Laura Thompson explained Ed Miles was not just incredibly active in the community; he was also a great writer.
“He was selected for the “Most Influential” section, and we all know he is a pillar of the San Antonio community. He was a great writer and brilliant man and his passing is a great loss,” Thompson said.
Indeed, Miles, who was just 67 years old, had three Masters Degrees: one in Education in Counseling and Psychology, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in International Relations from Troy State University.
His wife, Jewell Miles, and their children Danielle Miles, Eddie Miles, III and his granddaughter, Olivia welcome you to celebrate his life at a special service Monday.
Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church at 422 Pennystone Avenue. Pastor Jeffrey Garner will officiate at the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24 also at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Interment follows immediately at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Please send condolences and floral tributes to Mrs. Jewell Miles c/o Lewis Funeral Home, 811 South W.W.White, San Antonio 78223.
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