Katherine Miles

Katherine Barbara Mapp Miles, 92 of Grand Rapids MI passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on May 1, 2020.

Katherine was born in Miami Florida where she excelled in sports and academics.  She learned early on the value of hard work and community service.   She attended Dillard University in New Orleans on a full scholarship

She married her best friend and in 1950, they moved to Michigan following her late husband’s retirement from active duty from the United States Air Force.  It was in Michigan that they had their four children; two sons, Dana Warren and Quentin Lance and two daughters Lesley (Miles) Wilson and Robbin (Miles) Floyd.

When all of the children were in school, Katherine re-entered the workforce full-time and became a champion of fair housing, education, and judiciary system in Grand Rapids.  Mrs. Miles worked tirelessly as a community activists along with her positions at both the Grand Rapids Urban League for fifteen years and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for an additional twenty-five years.  One of many of her proudest achievements is the housing development, Whitney Young Village that still houses low income families in Kentwood Michigan.  

In addition to her four children, she is survived by her seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, a brother-in law; Frankie Miles of Tracy California a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great aunt and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd W. Miles Jr., her parents Robert and Nancy Mapp and her brother David Sheppard all of Miami, FL.   

Among her hobbies, she was known for her love of fishing, reading, traveling with her husband, socializing with friends and spending time at their lake property in Woodland Park, MI.

Family and friends visitation will be held on Friday May 8 from 11am to 3pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.  A private family graveside service will be held at Graceland Memorial Gardens in Cascade MI with the Reverend Charles Hudson officiating.  A memorial service is planned for later this year.  Contributions in memory of Katherine B. Miles may be made to the American Cancer Society.  

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