Kenneth Anthony Miles, 70, was called home to be with the Lord Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, after a brief illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1948, in Newport News, the second child of Mary Daniels and Maceo Miles Sr. When Mary Daniels remarried, Lee Richardson, affectionately known as “Pop,” carried on the loving fatherly guidance experienced by Kenneth and his brother. Maceo Miles Sr. also remarried and gave Kenneth another brother and sister.
Kenneth, affectionately known as “Skinner,” spent his early and formative years in Newport News and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1966. He completed one year of study at Norfolk State University before beginning an apprenticeship in Welding through the Newport News Shipyard. Kenneth later transferred those skills to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. There, he completed training in ARC welding and honed his skills to the point that he was asked to join travel teams tasked with working on the most complex and challenging repairs in the U.S. Naval Fleet. This was an accomplishment that he was particularly proud of.
In 1976, at his ten-year high school reunion, he became reacquainted with a classmate who had just returned to the area. A relationship developed and led to their marriage in December 1980. A daughter and a son resulted from that union. Though divorced for many years, the two remained friendly and both agreed that, “our children are the best thing we ever did.”
After retiring from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Kenneth enjoyed dining with friends, attending sporting events and lending help to almost anyone who would ask. His was a life speckled with challenge and change and best summarized in scripture by Psalm 37: 23-24. (23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.
Kenneth was a skilled billiards player and earned several trophies in competition. He also enjoyed fishing. He was a self-proclaimed foodie and could tell you all the best places to eat, especially for seafood and soul food.
Kenneth was a good man — a man of tremendous strength, steadfast love, strong character and great faith. He was a devoted father; dutiful son, grandson and nephew; loving uncle and godfather; caring brother; and loyal friend. He personified swag before it was defined. He will always be remembered for his style, generosity, humor, realness, and most importantly, love for his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Alexis Miles; son, Konrad Miles; siblings, Maceo Miles Jr., Reynaud Miles and Carmen Williams; godchildren, Rio Francis (Kenyatta) and Kikori Gibbs (David); nieces and nephews, Lacee Goll (Vonnie), Marlena Jones (Dwayne), Dionne Moreno, Anthony Miles and Jordan “Stevie” Miles; as well as a host of cousins, great-nephews, great-nieces and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. Interment will be held in Hampton Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Share online condolences with the family at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel & Crematory.
