Dr. Robert Miles Jr.of Slidell, began his journey in life as the only son of Dorothy Lee Walker Miles and Robert Miles, Sr. of Detroit, Mich. on January 5, 1958.
He was preceded in death by both parents and a sibling, Gwendolyn Pruitt.
Dr. Miles died of a massive heart attack on January 19, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, Aug. 1 in the Azalea Estates Retirement Community Sunroom, 354 Robert Blvd., at 7 p.m.
He graduated from Benedictine Catholic School with honors and his interest in health care began at an early age. He was employed by the Harper-Grace Hospital in Detroit and is still noted as being the youngest bi-lingual supervisor on record.
Working full-time, he graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. degree in psychology with a minor in chemistry. While working toward a master’s degree in psychology, he was accepted by the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Miles was fond of saying that while at the college, he went into the library to “check out a book and checked out the librarian instead.” That librarian, Diana Carroll Cornay, became his wife and the love of his life for 31 years.
He continued in the tradition of his father and joined the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant. He served two tours of duty. After a life-altering illness left his wife disabled and the caused the death of their daughter Autumn Alexandria, Miles opened an office in Washington D.C. and began making house calls. This was his practice throughout his career.
After moving to Louisiana, he became an administrator at the Metropolitan Developmental Center in Belle Chasse and treated patients in more than a dozen facilities and veterans’ homes.
Dr. Miles was a talented musician and he enjoyed sharing his love of the conga drums and kalimba with audiences throughout the area. He especially enjoyed performing for veteran and senior citizen groups.
He was an avid volunteer in the community. He recently worked with the Picayune Piecemakers and the Camellia Quilters of Slidell to present 150 patriotic pillowcases to residents at the Veteran’s Home in Jackson as a thank you for their service.
He served as the podiatric director for the New Orleans Homeless Mission. His efforts were featured by Susan Roesgen on “News with a Twist” and by Ann Cutler with WGNO News.
Miles leaves behind to mourn his wife Diana; his wonderful sister Deborah Larry and her husband Richard Larry of Detroit; nieces and nephews Nicole, Monique, Richard, Jr. and Angela as well as their spouses and children. He also leaves behind a favorite Uncle Jake and Aunt Joy of Nevada and Aunt Robbie (Roberta) of New York as well as Tony, Rhett and Jasmine and their spouses and children and many friends among the Picayune Piecemakers and Camellia Quilters.
Jeanne Drouant Thomas passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2016.
She was 89 years old.
Jeanne was the beloved wife of the late Arnold Thomas; mother of William “Billy” Thomas (Cheryl), Kathleen Thomas Waguespack (David), Donald Thomas (Rita Ann), David Thomas (Linda) and the late Arnold J. Thomas; daughter of the late William Lloyd Drouant and Jeanne Ruiz Drouant; sister of Yvonne Drouant Talley, Edith Drouant Dorion and the late Robert “Bobby” Drouant; and loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was a native of Chalmette, La. and a resident of Slidell for the past 11 years. She will be forever remembered and deeply missed by her family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 2320 Paris Rd., Chalmette, on Saturday, July 30 from 9 to 11 a.m.
A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.
To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.