Sister Kathleen Miles, age 93, died at The Sarah Community in Bridgeton, Missouri, on September 23, 2026. She was born August 24, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the eldest of five children of Dr. John and Edith (deGravelle) Miles.
Sister Kathleen graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Atherton, California in 1951, and the University of Louisiana in 1955. She also studied as an exchange student at the University of Madrid in Spain.
Prior to entering the Daughters of Charity, Sister Kathleen taught at Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana, and worked with Travelers Aid in New Orleans. Following her initial formation as a Daughter of Charity, Sister Kathleen began her ministry in education. She taught at Marillac Center in Kansas City, Missouri; Holy Trinity in Dallas, Texas; and in Perryville, Missouri. She was later missioned to California, where she served with Rural Community Service of Catholic Charities. There, she ministered among Hispanic communities, teaching English as a Second Language, driver’s education, and citizenship classes, while also collaborating with the Department of Health Services in social services.
Over the years, Sister Kathleen’s varied ministries took her to Missouri, California, Texas, Nebraska, and Arkansas. She spent 18 years serving in San Antonio, Cotulla, Dallas, and Pampa, Texas, in parish ministry, Hispanic ministry, and religious education. Her service also included leadership and administrative responsibilities. She served as Ladies of Charity Moderator in Dallas, Texas, and Little Rock, Arkansas; Parish Administrator in Grady and Star City, Arkansas; and as a board member in Gould, Arkansas. She also served her Sisters as local community superior in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, and Gould, Arkansas.
In rural Arkansas, Sister Kathleen served as Parish Administrator for two small parishes, including one Spanish-speaking parish. She later moved to Little Rock, where she volunteered as a Patient Representative at St. Vincent Hospital and at Helping Hand, a food pantry and thrift store.
In 2017, Sister Kathleen came to The Sarah Community in Bridgeton, Missouri, where she continued her vocation through the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Kevin and Brendan Miles, and Terrance Kelleher. She is survived by her sister, Maura (Orales) Owen of Bella Vista, Arkansas; nieces and nephews; her Sisters in Community; and many friends.
Throughout her many years as a Daughter of Charity, Sister Kathleen’s life of service reflected a willingness to go wherever she was needed—whether as an educator, parish administrator, advocate, community leader, or companion to those in need.
The visitation and mass of Christian Burial were held September 28, 2026, at the Marian Chapel of The Sarah Community, Bridgeton. Burial was September 29, 2026, at the Daughter’s Marillac Cemetery, St. Louis.