Dorothy Miles

Dorothy L. Miles, 100, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 15, 2012, at her home.

She was born March 30, 1912, in Farmington, Mo., daughter of J.B. Laws Sr. and Alice Mae Griffin Laws. On Aug. 29, 1943, she was married to Paul C. Miles in Farmington. He passed away Jan. 21, 2005.

Her parents; two brothers, J.B. Laws Jr. and Leeman L. Laws; and a sister, Clarabelle Dicus, predeceased her.

Survivors include one sister, Leanna Patterson of St. Louis. Also surviving are two nieces, Alice Mae Settle (Keith) of Zionsville, Ind., and Janet Patterson of St. Louis. She is survived by two nephews, Harry L. Jennings (Elma) of Farmington and Terry Lee Laws (Lynn) of Edgewater, Md. Several great-nieces, great-nephews, a great-great-niece and a great-great nephew remain, as well as members of the J.D. Stewart family and a special friend, Marion Miles Edwards.

She graduated from Farmington High School and Southeast Missouri Teachers College, now Southeast Missouri State University, after which she taught math and English at Desloge High School in Desloge, Mo., for 14 years. During the war, she received her private pilot's license and subsequently taught navigation, meteorology and civil air regulations at the local airport. These were required of students learning to fly.

She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church since 1946 and of the United Methodist Women and the Susannah Wesley Circle. Other affiliations were: member of the President's Council of SEMO Alumni Association and of the Copper Dome Society. She was a charter member of the Friends of Saint Francis Medical Center and a member of both Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliaries. In addition, she was a member of the Historical Society, a 50-plus year member of Chapter BI of PEO and of Quest Club of MFWC. She was the only active charter member of Beta Sigma Phi organized in Cape Girardeau in 1951. She had served as president of each organization. In addition to her family and friends, she enjoyed traveling, bridge, sewing and sports.

She and her husband were members of the Traveler's Century Club since 1979 and had traveled extensively throughout the world. With slides that her husband had made, she gave slide programs to churches, schools, clubs and to the public.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Karen Nothdurft officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be made to Centenary Methodist Church, Old St. Vincent's Church or Teen Challenge.

Online condolences can be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.