Roy Miles

Roy Vernon Miles, age 83 of Roswell, New Mexico passed away on November 30, 2019 in Midland, Texas with his daughters, Autumn Claxton and her husband, William; Tori Rich and her husband, Jim, by his side.

A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 13, 2019 at Grace Community Church at 935 W. Mescalero Rd, Roswell, New Mexico.  Pastor Rick Hale of Grace will be officiating a joint service for Roy and his late wife, Jettie.  A reception will follow at the church.

Roy was born in Dexter, New Mexico on October 6, 1936 to the late Fred Miles and Mary Johnson Miles.  He attended Dexter Schools from 1st thru 12th grade.  He graduated from Dexter High School in 1955 and was the Class President his Senior and Sophomore year in high school, Roy was also voted Class Favorite his Sophomore year and, in 1954 his Junior year, Roy was voted “Most Handsome Boy” and he was on the basketball team.  That same year, his twin sister Shirley was voted Basketball Queen.  He married Sondra Kay Porter (now Sondra Carley of Pensacola, Florida) of Melrose, New Mexico in 1957.  Together they had three daughters, Lauda, Autumn & Tori.  In 1986, Roy married the late Jettie Jewel of Las Cruces, New Mexico.  Jettie was called Home on November 17, 2019, just thirteen days prior to Roy.

After high school Roy went on to attend Barber School in Amarillo where he graduated and received his Barbers License.  Roy then returned to his hometown of Dexter where he opened and operated MILES BARBER SHOP charging the going rate of “25 cents a cut.”  He supported his family for about 7 years on that uncertain income and did it with dignity and grace.  Roy briefly worked as a car salesman at Valley Chevrolet before embarking on a successful 28-year career as a telephone installer/repairman for “Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company” now known as Qwest. Retiring in 1999, Roy enjoyed long hours working in his woodshop, maintaining his yard, and traveling with his wife Jettie.  He frequented his daughter’s houses until he was unable to travel, at which time his children made frequent and long visits to Roswell to “hang out with daddy-o”.  He enjoyed and loved retirement to its fullest

He was actively involved in the B.P.O.E. (Elks) Lodge #969 among several other clubs. He was installed as the Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 969 in March of 1991.  He was on the National Ritual Team, where the team took National Ritual Championship – Roswell Elks Lodge 969 in 2007 – 2008. He made friends wherever he went.  He was well known and had countless friends, many of whom are lifetime lifelong friends and still live in the Dexter/Roswell area and have remained an active part of Roy’s life even up to the day of his passing.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jettie J. Miles; five siblings, including his twin sister, Shirley Pryor of Arkansas, twin brother and sister Forrest and Lauda Ann and his brother Doyle Miles; his daughter, Lauda Jane Miles-Medara and husband, Greg, of Albuquerque; his grandson, J.C. Hinds of Midland; his nephew, Glen Miles; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins, including 2 nieces, Rhonda and Stacey Pryor.

Roy is survived by his daughter, Autumn Claxton and her husband, William of Lenorah, Texas; his daughter, Tori Rich and her husband, Jim of Lenorah, Texas; his daughter, Melanie Schwaner and her husband, Mark of Albuquerque; his son, (Douglas) Kevin Zimmerman and his wife, Linda of Las Cruces; his grandsons, Justin Kennard, Roy Hinds, Mitchell Schwaner, Austin Baca Ray; his granddaughter, Madison Schwaner; 13 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; beloved cousin, Wanda Brown of Roswell; and generations of loved ones.

The family of Roy wishes to extend our most sincere thanks to Dr. Mary Meyers-Marquardt of Covenant in Roswell, NM; The Parks Senior Living in Odessa, Texas; Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas; and Texas Tech Star Hospice.  A special thank you to Grace Community Church in Roswell, NM where Roy was a church member for several years and the absolute highlight of his week, consistently.