Dr. Merle Yvonne Miles Obituary (1936 - 2017)

Merle Yvonne Miles was born in Austin on July 1, 1936 and passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017. Merle was one of two children born to the late John and Gladys Katherine Brewer Miles Merle was a graduate of the Original L. C. Anderson High School and a member of St. James Episcopal Church. For two years she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She returned to Austin and received her B.A. degree from Huston-Tillotson University. In 1963 Merle returned to Nashville, Tennessee and received her Master's Degree from Fisk University. While living in Nashville Merle worked as a counselor at the Vocational School for Girls and later became a faculty member at Tennessee State University. Merle returned to Austin in 1973 and was a faculty member at Huston-Tillotson University. During her faculty status she pursued and received her PhD from the University of Texas in 1986. While serving as associate professor of sociology at Huston-Tillotson, Merle was elected chair of the City of Austin Human Relations Commission in 1979. Merle was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a charter member of the Town Lake Links, Inc. (1988), a charter member of The Austin Metroplex Chapter of National Women of Achievement, Inc. and a member of The Happy Hearts Bridge Club. She relished life and she sought to see what was beautiful and lovely in people, in nature, and in relationships. She loved butterflies, wind chimes, air balloons, and the fantasy of unicorns. She especially enjoyed the Christmas holiday season spent with friends and a special time with family. She was a loyal friend and very devoted to her family. She was a loving daughter, loving sister and a loving mother. She was socially vibrant and active as well as very academic. She touched the lives of many of her students. Merle had a sparkle and grace about her which very few could resist. Merle was preceded in death by her husband Attorney Hylon L. Adams and sister Janis A. Williams. She is survived by her son, Corby Miles Hannah of Atlanta, Georgia; her sister Minnie Marianne Miles; one nephew, Lloyd Williams, Jr. and wife Monette - their children: four great nephews and one great niece; immediate cousins, John Walls, III and wife Genevieve and daughters Lauren and Kelly of Houston, Texas; Dr. Ronald G. Walls of Philadelphia; Anita Harrell and husband Hugh Harrell, III of Hampton, Virginia and son Nick Bassey and daughters Ada Blanger and Aline Anders; Beth Watkins of Kew Gardens, New York; Hadley Reid Hartshorn and wife Henrietta and their daughter Dr. Rachel Hartshorn-Walker and family of California; other cousins and friends. Corby and Minnie want to thank the physicians and staff at Seton Hospital for their compassionate and kind care for Merle during her illness