Obituary – Rev. David Miles
The passing of Rev. David Keith Miles, 45, on April 4, 2016, left a wide swath of the Asheville community diminished, as well as communities from New York to Texas.
Born March 2, 1970, in Buffalo, NY, Rev. Miles attended Asheville High and A.C. Reynolds High, graduating in 1988. Thereafter he went on to earn numerous degrees, including a B.S. in Management Administration from UNC Asheville; an MEd in School Administration from UNC Pembroke; a second MEd, in School Counseling, from NC Central University; and a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University.
A born educator and devout Christian, Miles made his mark as a counselor in elementary and high schools across North Carolina. He served as Assistant Principal at Asheville Middle School, and he imbued countless young people – many nephews and nieces as well as students in the schools and churches where he served – with a love of knowledge and education.
He was also active in the community, sharing his knowledge on panel discussions, hosting the talk show “Real Talk” at WBMU Broadcasting, serving on Asheville’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast planning committee, and as EmCee of the Prayer Breakfast two years running.
In his eulogy it was written, “David became a God chaser early in life and committed his path to Christ at the ripe age of 7.” Among the churches Rev. Miles served were Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Asheville, where he served as Associate Minister under Rev. Dr. John H. Grant; as Assistant Pastor at Orange Grove Baptist Church in Raleigh, under Rev. Carl Kenny; and in the same capacity at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, under Dr. Ronald Avery. He later founded the Beloved Community Church.
Miles was preceded in death by his father, James David Miles, Sr., and is survived by his wife Andrea; mother Frances Virginia Mapp Miles; sisters Sharon Mapp, Rochelle Black (Bobby), and Kim Darity (Dwayne); brothers Dr. Michael Mapp (Dr. Ann) and James Miles (Pam); and an extended family of beloved nephews and nieces.
Miles presented his initial sermon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church as a young man, and it was from that church that he was buried on Saturday, April 9, before a huge crowd of family, friends, and admirers.
Legacy donations (in his memory) may be sent to the Mt. Zion Educational Scholarship Fund at 47 Eagle Street, Asheville, 28801.
