First Miles

Thelma L Ragsdale (Miles) was born September 7, 1935 in Spur, Texas to her parents Theadford Harlin Ragsdale and Roxie Lee Hughes. Thelma was the older of two siblings, Dorothy Ragsdale (Black) and Irene Ragsdale (Spearman). Thelma lived in Amarillo Texas up to the age of 13, where she received her formal education at St Mary Catholic School. Thelma’s family later moved to Lubbock Texas where she discovered her passion in music and took three years of piano lessons, while continuing her education at Dunbar High School. Being raised by a single mother with her two siblings, Thelma was not able to continue her piano lessons, but was gifted to play music by ear, which made her an outstanding musician. At age 22, Thelma met Henry Miles Jr. in December of 1957 in Denver, Colorado. They were united two years later in Holy Matrimony on June 13, 1959 in St Louis Missouri. Thelma became a minister’s wife as Rev Henry Miles was called into the ministry under the leadership of the late Pastor A.L. Pryor in St Louis Missouri. They both had children prior to their marriage: Henry James, Columbus Miles (deceased), Donald (deceased), Paula, Diane, and Michael (Joyce) Wright. To this union came: Jaqueline, Laurie (Walter), David, Joseph, Mary and Vicki Miles. They raised them all as one big happy family. Together they shared 57 years of love. After moving to Colorado with her husband and children, Thelma studied at Emily Griffith to update her skills. After learning more skills, she became employed with the Department of Revenue as an Administrative Assistant for 15 years. Later she transferred to the Health Department where she worked for two more years before retiring. As God gave Pastor Miles a vision, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church was organized, April 12, 1964. Thelma worked side by side with her husband. She held many roles in the church. She was the Minister of Music, Sunday School Teacher, BTU Teacher, and the most important role, the First Lady of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. Thelma was a very loving and caring woman. Not only did she raise her children, but she raised a host of foster children. After retiring from State of Colorado, she became a full-time homemaker taking care of her grandchildren. Thelma was very family oriented. She cherished the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. She was a problem solver to and for her children, grandchildren, and was truly the backbone of her family. She loved everyone she met. Her long-time childhood friends included; Doreathea Russell, who also grew up in Lubbock Texas and Alice Kennard, who will miss the camaraderie they shared. Those who knew Thelma would describe her as humble, knowledgeable, loving, but most of all a virtuous woman. Thelma’s spiritual walk was teaching the Bible, telling her family and church family how to live for Christ. She was very educated, loved reading the Bible, newspaper, and she even read the pamphlets that came with prescription medications. Thelma’s passion in life was taking care of her health spiritually, mentally, and physically. Reading the Bible taught her these things, and she would tell her family and everyone how important it was to take care of themselves and encouraged everyone to read their Bible. Thelma’s Christian walk was the life she taught and lived before her immediate family, and her church family. Every morning and night she would listen to gospel music, read her Bible and pray. She had a very unique and beautiful singing voice. She played the piano for six choirs, was a speaker for women’s day, and she would go to bible study on Wednesday night no matter how bad she felt. Thelma was a very faithful First Lady who supported her husband 100 percent. Her family will remember her as being a faithful and devoted wife, a loving mother to all, as well as a faithful child of God. Not only did she teach the word, but also made sure she lived by the word. To know her was to know that she was a woman of few words, but when she did speak, they were words of wisdom and encouragement. We will also remember her as the glue that held the family together. Proverbs 31: 10-31 is the best way to describe our mother as it speaks of a virtuous woman. That is how we want to remember our wonderful uniquely made mother, a true woman of God. Thelma has shared her love for music with her children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and the churches throughout Colorado. Thelma had a dream that she would be playing for a great big choir as far as her eyes could see. The Twelve Tribes of Israel came to her mind. The dream became a reality for her when she formed the Twelve Tribes Choir at Bethlehem. This choir was nowhere near the size of her dream, but she is now one of the piano players in the heavenly choir she dreamed of. Thelma found peace and was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 surrounded by her family. Thelma leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Pastor Henry Miles, Jr. her children Henry James, Paula (Capital Heights Maryland), Diane, Michael Wright (Joyce), Jacqueline, Laurie (Walter), David, Joseph, Mary, and Vicki Miles, two sisters Dorothy Ragsdale (Black) and Irene Ragsdale (Spearman), along with 22 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, close friends, and the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church family. Thelma Miles will be truly missed, but forever loved. She is now singing and playing the piano with the angels in heaven.

Visitation: 8/31/2017 at 4:00 PM - Bethlehem Baptist Church - 3212 High Street, Denver, CO
Service: 9/1/2017 at 11:00 AM - Bethlehem Baptist Church - 3212 High Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 9/1/2017 - Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 9/1/2017 - Bethlehem Baptist Church - 3212 High Street, Denver, CO