Dr. James W. Myles, III

Sunrise:  May 2, 1933

Sunset:  April 29, 2009

Homegoing Services

May 6, 2009

Viewing - 4:00 pm to 7:15 pm

Tribute Service - 7:30 pm

First Baptist Church

1012 Upper Gulph Road

Wayne, PA

May 7, 2009

Viewing - 8:00 am to 10:45 am

Funeral Service - 11:00 am

White Rock Baptist Church

5240 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA

Burial - West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd

Obituary

Reverend Dr. James W. Myles, III was born May 2, 1933 to the late Gaston and Annie Mae Miles in Rowland, North Carolina.  He was the fifth and last-born of his family.  He graduated from Southside High School in Rowland, North Carolina where he was on the track team. 

With joy and thanksgiving, he matriculated at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1955.  He often shared the story of his stepfather, the late John Roberts, going to the bank and asking for a loan because “his son was going to college.”  This was a moment in which he was most proud.  In 1970, Dr. Myles later received a Master’s Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

In 1956, Dr. Myles was drafted into the United States Army.  He served two years in Stuttgart, Germany and was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 2nd class in 1958.  In that same year, he permanently relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Myles began his professional career as a Youth Counselor at the Youth Development Center of the City of Philadelphia.  In 1960, he embarked upon a new career as a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia.  He later became an administrator and also served as a Reading Specialist. Upon his retirement in 1993; Dr. Myles rededicated his “new” life to serving the community in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

As a youth, Dr. Myles was a raised in an African Methodist Episcopal Church in Rowland, North Carolina.  In 1962, he joined White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  During his tenure there, he provided leadership in various capacities within several organizations and committees such as an Associate Minister, Trustee, Sunday School teacher and Youth Ministry.

In 1963 while attending White Rock Baptist Church, he met Thelma Odessa. Walton, who he affectionately called “Dess”.  They were married on July 17, 1965 and shared 43 years of marital bliss.  Dr. Myles was very proud of his children, Charisse & James.  "Dad" was a loving father, mentor and coach who focused on educating, not only his own family but his numerous adopted sons and daughters throughout the community and the church.   He was an avid nature lover who enjoyed viewing animals, fishing and gardening. He tended to an 8 ft. x 12 ft. piece of "open" land in the alley way behind his home.  He thoroughly enjoyed growing collard greens, cabbage and tomatoes and could feed his family, neighbors and friends in the community. His secret fertilizer - "fish heads!"

Reverend Dr. James Myles, III was called into the Christian ministry in 1971.  In 1972, he began to prepare for a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, while continuing his role as a teacher.  In June 1977, the task was completed and Reverend Myles was ordained in the ministry by Dr. William J. Shaw in August 1977.  On May 16, 2008, he completed his life long goal by receiving a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mt. Airy (Philadelphia) where he majored in Pastoral Care.

On May 2, 1979, Reverend Dr. James W. Myles, III was installed as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wayne, Pennsylvania.  He served as Pastor for 30 years until failing health required him to retire in February of 2009.  Through his leadership, many souls were led to Christ and the ministry of the Church went outside of the four walls and into the neighboring communities with Outreach Ministries of evangelizing, feeding the homeless and clothing drives.  He stood for the human and social rights for the members of the community.  He loved his congregation unconditionally.

Dr. Myles is the author of two plays entitled:  “Where Were You When” and “Decision for Chance”.  He has also written many short stories for American Baptist Churches.

Dr. Myles was past President of the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, former President of the Main Line Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Assistant Treasurer of the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Assistant Treasurer of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, a member of AAIM (African American Interdenominational Ministries) and the Kiwanis Club.   He was a lifetime member of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a lifetime member and former Vice President of the Region 1 North Carolina Central University Alumni Association and was Alumni of the Year in 1977 and 1978.  North Carolina Central University honored Dr. Myles in 2005 as a “Golden Eagle” (50 Year Graduate) and the Main Line Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. honored him in 2003.

One of the greatest achievements of Dr. Myles’ life was his travel to the Holy Land and Africa.  While in Israel, he preached and baptized in the Jordan River.  During a visit to Africa, he met Mr. Samuel Tekya, who is the former principal of the school adopted by the First Baptist Church of Wayne.  The school located in Ankrangwa, Ghana, has 1,100 students in grades kindergarten through 8th.  With the help of the church, several buildings have been improved and a badly needed water system has been installed.

God directed the footsteps of Reverend Dr. James W. Myles, III and molded his being from the beginning.  Although he had trials and tribulations over the past few years of his life, Dr. Myles remained faithful, diligent and steadfast to the high call of Jesus Christ our Lord.  He entered into eternal life early Wednesday morning, April 29, 2009 with peace that he had done all that he could do for the Lord. Reverend Dr. James W. Myles, III leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Thelma O. Walton Myles; daughter, Charisse Darcel Myles; son, James W. Myles, IV; daughter-in-law, Simone Hinton-Myles; three grandchildren, Ronald Woodward Fogg II, Stephan Alexander Fogg and James W. Myles V; three sisters-in-law, Mildred Sampson, Elizabeth Burton and Maereen Sanders; one brother-in-law, Bill Walton; a god-daughter, Vanessa Sarita Green-King; the First Baptist Church Family; the White Rock Baptist Church Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Rufus Miles and Willie N. Miles and two sisters, Alexis Mae Miles and Augusta Mae Miles. 

Sorrowfully submitted,  The Family