Eleanor Virginia Miles

Eleanor Virginia Miles, 99, of Commerce, GA, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on January 11th, 2024. She was born in Patrick County on October 10, 1924 to Edward P. Sowder and Mary S. Sowder. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis G. Miles; daughter, Wilma S. Wimbish; one sister, Rosemary S. Martin; three brothers, Frank H. Sowder, George Sowder and Ed (Junior) Sowder.

She retired from DuPont’s Martinsville Nylon Plant in 1979 with 31 years of service. With Lewis by her side, they enjoyed their retirement years to the fullest, traveling and exploring the US in their motor home, camping, hiking, and visiting the mountains and the beach whenever they could. Later they shared time between their homes in Florida and Virginia. After Lewis’ passing, Eleanor moved to north Georgia to be near her daughter and grand-daughters and their families. Always on the go, she continued to explore and drive back to Virginia to visit family even into her mid-90s. We all remember her as someone who loved to garden and can, and cook and feed people, many of whom would fight to get in line for some of her famous fried apple pies and candy bar cake. She loved her family fiercely and never hesitated to show us and tell us so. We will miss her sorely.

Surviving are her granddaughters Angela Wimbish Jones (Shawn) of Commerce, GA, Amy Wimbish Asevedo (Matthew) of Flowery Branch, GA; step-daughter, Rita M. Loving (George) of Roanoke; step-son Shannon G. Miles of Roanoke; siblings Ann Taylor of Statesville, NC; Billy Sowder (Maryjane) of Bassett; Dot Surratt of Collinsville; Joan King of Fieldale, Jean Hall of Bassett; Margie Linkous of Bassett; and Madeline Emerson of Collinsville, 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family and friends too numerous to count…she was well loved.

Friends will be received at Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville Chapel from 10am-12pm, Monday, January 15th and she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at 2:00pm, January 15th at Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway, VA.

Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville, VA is serving the Miles family.