A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Kathleen Miles, DC, was celebrated Sept. 28 in the Marian Chapel of The Sarah Community in Bridgeton. Sister Kathleen Miles died at The Sarah Community Sept. 23 at the age of 93.
She was born on Aug. 24, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the eldest of five children of Dr. John and Edith (deGravelle) Miles. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Atherton, California, in 1951, and the University of Louisiana in 1955. She also studied as an exchange student at the University of Madrid in Spain.
Prior to entering the Daughters of Charity in September 1960 at the Marillac Provincial House in St. Louis, Sister Kathleen taught at Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana, and worked with Travelers Aid in New Orleans. Following her initial formation as a Daughter of Charity in St. Louis, Sister Kathleen began her ministry in education. She taught at Marillac Center in Kansas City, Missouri; Holy Trinity in Dallas, Texas; and at St. Vincent Grade School in Perryville (1966-68). She was later missioned to California, where she served with Rural Community Service of Catholic Charities. There, she ministered among Hispanic communities, teaching English as a Second Language, driver’s education and citizenship classes, while also collaborating with the Department of Health Services in social services.
Over the years, Sister Kathleen’s varied ministries took her to Missouri, California, Texas, Nebraska and Arkansas. She spent 18 years serving in San Antonio, Cotulla, Dallas and Pampa, Texas, in parish ministry, Hispanic ministry and religious education. Her service also included leadership and administrative responsibilities. She served as Ladies of Charity Moderator in Dallas and Little Rock, Arkansas; parish administrator in Grady and Star City, Arkansas; and as a board member in Gould, Arkansas. She also served her sisters as local community superior in Dallas, San Antonio and Gould.
In rural Arkansas, Sister Kathleen served as parish administrator for two small parishes, including one Spanish-speaking parish. She later moved to Little Rock, where she volunteered as a patient representative at St. Vincent Hospital and at Helping Hand, a food pantry and thrift store.
In 2017, Sister Kathleen came to The Sarah Community in Bridgeton, where she continued her vocation through the ministry of prayer until the time of her death. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Kevin and Brendan Miles and Terrance Kelleher. She is survived by her sister, Maura (Orales) Owen of Bella Vista, Arkansas; nieces and nephews; her sisters in community; and many friends.
Burial was in the Daughters’ Marillac Cemetery in St. Louis.
