Debra Jean Miles

Debra Jean Miles was born May 8, 1953, in Trenton, NJ; born sixth of ten children of the late Marchel and Willie Mae Miles. There were five 
boys and five girls, so she grew up in a large close-knit family. The family lived in Trenton NJ and then moved to the White City section of Hamilton Township when Debra was a young girl. She attended the Hamilton Township School District and graduated from Hamilton High School West in 1971. During her high school years, she joined a high school sorority, Sigma Phi Epsilon with several other young girls in her neighborhood. Deb was athletically inclined, she played for the 
White City Girls Softball team coached by the late Kenny Jackson; she was a phenomenal Shortstop. Later on, Debra joined a Bowling Team showing her skills. 

Debra worked for Goulds Department Store in PA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury until retiring in 2015. 

Debra joined St. Phillips Baptist Church in her early 20's and she was an active member until her passing. She was "that church lady" who always passed out the Caramel Nips candy. She could also be found assisting her sisters Ann and Kathleen in the church kitchen. The Miles Family is very close and known to be great cooks. Well, unfortunately Debra didn't get that gene. She could not cook, and she was a very picky eater. But you could find her helping out and cleaning buckets of Chitterlings during the holidays. 

Depending on your relationship with her, she was known as Deb, Debbie, "Debra Jean" as she was affectionately called by her family. Debra loved children, she was the fun Aunt to her nieces and nephews. Letting them do all the crazy things their parents would not allow. She also kept lots of snacks for them. She enjoyed traveling with her family and always looked forward to attending the Miles Family Reunion bi-annually in locations across the country. 

Laughter, fun, dancer, music lover, adventurous, and a huge heart. Those are just a few words that characterize her. She was full of life and illuminated a room with joy when she entered. Life of the party is her calling card. The party actually didn't really start until she arrived. You knew she was in her dancing zone when she started waving that scarf in the air, which she is well known for doing when she was having a good timed, planting some of her favorite flowers and then sitting on her porch listening to music, especially Motown and observing her work. She also loved watching Western Television shows, especially Bonanza. But most of all Moses "Moe" Poole brought love and joy into her life and he was her partner in life. They were delighted when they became parents when Chrystal was born in 1979. Shawnda later joined the family in 1994 bringing excitement and joy to their family. As a mother to Chrystal and Shawnda she instilled Christian values, a 
love for family, and to appreciate life. Debbie epitomized an amazing mother and a strong black woman up until she was called home. 

Her family was her foundation, and she also established a family of best friends some of whom she shared over 50 years of friendship, including Judy Parks, Winnie Glover, Jackie and Vicky Lovett and Gloria Griffith. She and her girls often attended concerts, cabarets and parties in the Trenton and Philly areas. One of her favorites was at the War Memorial Building when the Delfonics were the featured band. You could even catch them often partying with some of the members of Kool & the Gang. Her and her girls shared many experiences as they traveled together, being roommates and just enjoying life. They had a very memorable vacation to Jamaica. Debra even lived briefly with Vicky and Jackie when the Miles Family home caught on fire when she was in High School. 

Debra was predeceased by her parents, Marchel and Willie Mae Miles; four brothers, Leon, Lester, Jeffrey and Leroy; two sisters, Anna Mae and Kathleen Griffith; and her life partner, Moses "Moe" Poole. 

She leaves to treasure her precious memories: her two daughters, Chrystal and Shawnda Miles both of New Jersey; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Herbert (Jeanette) Miles of Trenton, NJ and Veronica Miles of Hamilton, NJ; two sisters, Marilyn (Edward) Hunter and Carilyn Willis both of Hamilton, NJ; one Godson, Brian Lovett; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

Funeral service will be 10am Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Ave, Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 9am until the time of service. Interment will be at Colonial Memorial Park, Hamilton Twp, NJ.

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