Thomas Miles

Thomas Emperor Miles, affectionately nicknamed “Diffalo”, was born to Clara Miles and E.P. Sparks on March 12, 1933 in Childers-burg, Alabama. Shortly after E.P. was killed, Mother Clara met and married John Thomas “Jabo” Foster, who loved and raised Thomas as his own son.
Thomas would soon be joined by siblings, Dovie Maxine (Cunningham), Nellie Violet (Longmire), Delois (Taylor), John Thomas, Jr. and Allen. Thomas was preceded in the final homecoming by infant, John Thomas, Jr., Delois (1995), Nellie (2004), John Thomas (2004) and Mother Clara (2013) and Cherylynne.
Thomas developed an enduring work ethic at a very young age which sustained him throughout his life.
Having a lovely voice, Thomas sang in the Traveling Community Choir and played high school basketball prior to joining the Army just as the Korean Conflict was starting.
In 1956, Thomas married the late Pearlie Burns of Sylacauga to which Cherlynne “Lynn”, Thomas Jr. “Tommy” and Michelle “Jackie” (Brumback) were born. Thomas and Pearlie were dedicated parents who offered the best to their beloved children. Pearlie was called home to be with the Lord in 2003, whereupon their first grandchild, Kyle Brumback was born a month later. Thomas was a good father and grandfather who always provided for his family financially and through personal encouragement.
As a U.S. Army Green Beret, an elite military fighter force now called the Special Forces, Thomas traveled around the world in both overt and secret military engagements. Thomas could always be called on to perform at the highest level in military operations to secure and support our country’s interest. He fought in the Korean War and served in Vietnam on three separate tours — the last of which nearly cost him his life. He has completed well over 50 parachute jumps initially as a member of the 82nd Airborne Ranger Division. Addi-tionally, he fought in numerous military conflicts and uprisings world-wide that may still be classified as secret.
A highlight of his military career was the nearly 3 years he spent on the ROTC Cadet Corp staff as Sergeant Major at Central State University, in Xenia, Ohio. There he was a ROTC Instructor, specializing in training college students in military acumen and cere-monial drill. In addition to his work responsibilities, Thomas com-pleted his education by attaining a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Thomas retired from the military after 27 years of service, attain-ing the highest possible military enlisted rank — Command Sergeant Major. He has been awarded numerous medals and awards, including, The Medal of Valor and Purple Heart, and has been credited with saving the lives of fellow soldiers on the battlefield as an Army Medic.
Upon retiring from the military, Thomas worked at the federal General Services Administration (GSA) where he once again retired with 20 years of creditable service.
Still not done, Thomas worked 9 years in the State of Ohio prison system as a guard.
Thomas leaves to mourn: his children, Thomas Miles Jr. and Michelle Brumback; beloved grandson, Kyle Brumback; his sister, Maxine Cunningham of Detroit, MI; brother, Allen Foster of Colum-bus, OH; sisters-in-law, Louise Oden of Atlanta, GA, Helen Davis of Cincinnati, OH and Gail Foster of Columbus, OH; brother-in-law, Jimmy Burns of Atlanta, GA; three aunts and uncle, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Now the old soldier has made his final salute and marches off into the sunset to join the spirits of fallen comrades, his wife and other family and friends.