Dr. Hercules Miles Jr.

Saturday, March 11, 2023, 12 Noon

Smith Chapel AMEC Dallas Tx.

Dr. Hercules Miles, Jr. was born on September 19,1928 in Marlin, Texas to Hercules and Fae Miles. He
received his primary and secondary education in the public schools of Dallas, Texas. He obtained the
Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Southwestern School and the Bachelor of Arts
from Paul Quinn College (then in Waco, Texas) with additional studies at the South Bible Institute of
Dallas, Texas. He was later honored with an honorary doctorate from Edward Waters College of
Jacksonville, Florida.
In his secular life, he served in the US Army as a Combat Engineer from 1946-1948 and was hired as the
first African-American Union Employee at the Safeway Store in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Miles was called to
preach at Smith Chapel under Presiding Elder B. F. Cooper in 1952. After his first sermon. he was
assigned to St. Mary and Forreston Circuit-Mt Zion Station AME Church. That same year he was
ordained an Elder under the missionary rule by Bishop Howard Thomas Primm.
Dr. Miles served throughout the 10th Episcopal District (Texas). At Johnson and Hamilton Circuit, he
lead the congregations to rebuild both structures. When appointed to Union Center AME Church, Conroe,
Texas, he helped the congregation to build a new church and rebuild the fire damaged youth center. At
Grant Chapel, Austin various physical improvements occurred in the church including a new choir loft,
office facility and reception space. Additionally, Grant Villa Apartments and a daycare were opened.
Under the tenure of Dr. Miles, Grant Chapel supported the establishment of several new churches
including Young Chapel (Austin), Anderson Chapel (Killeen) and New Hope (Austin). He was elected to
the General Board in 1968 and served as President of the AME Texas Council of Progressive Ministers.
At the 1976 General Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, he was elected to serve as the Secretary-
Treasurer of the Church Extension Department. Some of the highlights in his 20 years as an active
General Officer include: celebrating the 100th Connectional Anniversary of the Church Extension
Department; using Allen Travel Agency to charter a plane for the Bishop's Council Meeting In Jamaica;
spearheading the operations of Allen Insurance and Allen Industrial supplies; creating the TC AME
Church Mastercard; liquidating the mortgage on the Church Extension Building in St. Louis and rebuilt
the building after fire damage; negotiating the purchase of the Beaumont building from the Medical
Center of St. Louis; organizing mortgage relief and contributions to many small churches and letters of
guarantee to build new churches; and organizing a carnival in St. Louis, Missouri as an outreach of the
Department that was attended by thousands of people.
While serving as an active General Officer, he was assigned to pastor two churches. Bishop H. Hartford
Brookins appointed him to Tri-Union, St. Louis, Missouri where he helped raise $40,000 for the building
fund constructed the church's first building. Bishop Vinton Anderson appointed him as pastor of Quinn
Chapel, St. Louis, Missouri -the original church founded by Bishop Paul Quinn. After his retirement,
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland appointed him pastor of Bethel, St. Louis Missouri where Dr. Miles reorganized
the church after the congregation withdrew, restored the building and was able to form a new
congregation. Dr. Miles was also the Director for the Allen Travel Service for the AME Church.

He is preceded in death by: Parents Hercules Miles Sr and Faye Miles, Son: Lois Miles and 3 Sisters.
He leaves cherishing his memories: Wife- Joyce Miles, Arkadelphia, AR, Daughters: Phyliss, Larissa,
Dallas, Texas, Yolanda Anderson, Austin, Texas, Sister: Barbara (Bobbie), Dallas, Texas