Teresa Miles

Teresa Miles was a kind and generous person to know and love. Optimistic and light-hearted, she modeled a genuine love for all people. A wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, she was incredibly blessed with a community of people supporting her every step of the way. Sadly, she is gone too soon. May her rich collection of memories be forever cherished for generations to come.

Her story began in 1971, a time when music continued to make a significant impact. The Beatles still topped the charts and the nation was on the verge of the Disco era. While many groups of Americans continued to fight for expanded social and political rights, Teresa Lynn was welcomed home on February 19th, in Melvindale, Michigan. Born the second of four children, her birth brought great joy during an exciting time in our nation’s history.

When Teresa was young, her family moved to the Grand Rapids area and she lived a typical childhood of the times. She was eager to start school at Strait Elementary, then on to Sibley Middle School, and eventually made her way to Ottawa Hills High School. Early in her educational career, Teresa was diagnosed with brain cancer. The prognosis was not positive and the Grand Rapids medical professionals were hesitant to treat her. So, the family moved back to their roots in Arkansas, where her grandparents lived in Bald Knob. Luckily, Teresa was able to receive treatment at the Little Rock Children’s Hospital. The treatments had a lasting effect on her throughout her life, but they never took away her sense of curiosity or intelligence. Teresa was a very bright woman with a remarkable future ahead of her.

After the treatments, her family moved around quite a bit. They took advantage of seeing new sights and connecting with others in Washington, Florida, and North Dakota, before returning to Grand Rapids. Teresa and her sister were exceptionally close. She and her mother bonded over these years and enjoyed many special pastimes including bowling and shopping; especially at thrift stores and garage sales. Teresa savored these moments of finding treasures and putting them to good use.

Happy and outgoing, Teresa lived a wonderful childhood. She loved to dance and enjoyed learning how to cook. Her Mammaw and Papaw enjoyed fixing recipes together. Some of her favorite meals to prepare were pork chops, scalloped potatoes, cornbread, and pasta salad. She was so talented in the kitchen, that her high school home economics teacher would even let her teach the class on occasion! Teresa also had a green thumb and found interest in growing houseplants at an early age. During these developing years, she worked at Burger King and juggled her school schedule. She was never afraid to try anything new and enjoyed earning her way in the world.

Throughout her life, Teresa never remained idle. She enjoyed keeping the house tidy and rearranging furniture from time to time. She also enjoyed playing a wide variety of games. Some of her favorite games were Skipbo, Monopoly, and Uno! She even wore out the family’s SORRY game board! She was known to earn quarters if she won, so you had to keep a close on her as she would do anything to get that money! Mostly, she was motivated to earn a little extra money to purchase gifts for others. She loved to make latch-hook rugs or peanut brittle to sell for extra income along with her babysitting jobs around the neighborhood. Nothing made her heart happier, than giving to others. Her deep faith and love of the Lord was her gift to so many. Any chance she had, she would tell others about her spiritual journey and share her beliefs. She wanted others to experience His good works and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, Teresa enjoyed being an active member of the Leonard Street Church of God attending every Wednesday and Sunday where she made many special friends.

Sadly, about 8 years ago, Teresa was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. As her illness progressed, she required more help and her family was grateful to keep her at home with their wonderful care. Slowly her speech and mobility declined, yet they supported her through their tender care and kept her comfortable. A true giver, her organs were donated following her death, and cremation has taken place. Described as someone who enjoyed being social and friendly, Teresa was a generous person who lived her life to the fullest. She modeled treating everyone with kindness and compassion. No one was ever a stranger in her eyes. May her loved ones always follow her example and may her warm memories live on eternally in their hearts.

Teresa Lynn Miles, age 53 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away February 7, 2025. She is survived by her mother, Linda Miles; father, Robert Miles; sisters and brothers; Lisa Trotter, Bobby Miles, Brian Miles, and Crystal Hagen; aunts; Shirley Culbertson, Judy Russell, and Brenda Croft as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins.

Teresa was preceded in death and will be greeted in heaven by her Papaw and Mammaw Herman and Christine McDaniel; and by her aunt and uncles Mary Bassinger, Herman and Ernie McDaniel.

Cremation has taken place.