Carol H. Miles

Carol Harker Miles, age 82, returned home on January 9th, 2018.  She was surrounded by her loving family as they stood watch over their mother, reminiscing about the wonderful memories created by this remarkable woman. They each provided their individual support and care for her with great tenderness. Tears of great joy and sadness were shed as the attending angels gently lifted her spirit into the heavenly realm, ushering her back to the presence of our Savior. 
 
Carol was born on January 8, 1937 at home, to loving parents, Benjamin Ernest Harker and Anna Elizabeth Pehrson.  At the age of 14 months, her mother Anna Elizabeth having suffered from typhoid fever was called home by a loving Heavenly Father.  Having that door closed, the Lord opened a window and blessed the family with a loving mother Ethel Catherine Dye Monson, who Carol came to know as the kindest and most precious mother a person could ask for.  In a single day, Carol not only gained a new mother, she also was blessed with two additional siblings bringing the household number to eight.  Three additional children were born in the ensuing years providing Carol with eight siblings whose adoration and love knows no bounds. Through the years they have shared in each other’s sorrow and joy, unified as an eternal family.   
 
She grew-up in Shelley Idaho in this large loving family where they learned the value of hard work. They learned to play even harder, enjoying strong family ties.  After graduating from Firth High School and while working as a switch board operator, she met the love of her life, Royal Clair Miles. Carol and Clair were married and sealed together for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 27, 1957. Most of their time together was spent in the Treasure Valley area where they raised their beautiful daughters. 
 
Carol’s dedication to the Lord was unmeasurable as demonstrated by her willingness to serve in whatever capacity she was called.  As a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the callings she loved the most were always associated with the opportunity to serve others.  She enjoyed her time in Tulsa Oklahoma, where she accompanied her husband as he served as the Tulsa Oklahoma Mission President.  Her work with the missionaries was a highlight of her service, as she had a great opportunity to help mold the young Elders and Sisters and assist them in their quest to gather the sons and daughters of God to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her love for the missionaries soon established her as the person in the mission to go to when you needed to learn how to do life’s day-to-day activity, like checking the tire pressure and oil levels on the cars or even how to effectively and efficiently iron shirts and skirts.
 
Carol was privileged and blessed with the care of six wonderful daughters who she cherished and adored. She was a constant beacon of love and guidance, and each of the girls knew that they were loved and are blessed to be members of an eternal family.  She adored her grandchildren and they too were blessed with her never-ending love.  Carol was blessed with a gentle and majestic presence.  She was easy to love and returned love generously. 

Carol was an incredibly talented individual and a great provider for her children.  She spent hours behind a sewing machine creating for those she loved. You name it, she could create it. Her home crafted quilts are a cherished treasure that all of her children and grandchildren looked forward to receiving on their wedding day.  As early as last week, she was busily working on the embroidery of yet another quilt block.  
 
She loved spending time on the golf course and all who played a round of golf with her had to bring their A game to keep up with her.  She had a passion for music and could often be found playing either the piano or the organ, filling her home with the sounds of church hymnals.  Each of her daughters were introduced to music at a very early age, learning to play the piano and a string instrument. She loved spending time with her husband and would tough the rugged outdoors, spending hours riding snowmobiles, water and snow skiing, and casting a fishing line in whatever fishing hole they could find.  
 
Carol was a world traveler, having visited many wonders of the world. She loved a great adventure and was anxious to seek new experiences. She looked forward to her next adventure, that of being reunited with the love of her life and those loved ones that had gone before.
 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Royal Clair Miles; infant daughter, Lori Ann Miles; father, Benjamin Ernest Harker; mother, Anna Elizabeth Pehrson Harker; step-mother, Ethel Catherine Dye Monson Harker; and siblings, Afton Scoresby and Dennis Monson. She is survived by her siblings, Carma Herbst, Leo Harker, Catherine Seneff, Gordon Harker, Elizabeth (Betty) Jenks and Mary Susan Johnson. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Becky and Reggie Sellers, Susan and Arlin Jones, Stacey and Jay Simmons, Cindy and Todd Cook, Catherine and Kevin Rogers; 27 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and an adorable constant canine companion, “Sammy”. 
 
Her final days were spent in the care of wonderful and gentle care providers at The Meadows at Touchmark, with the assistance of heavenly angels from Treasure Valley Hospice. The family will be eternally grateful for the compassionate service they provided our loving mother and grandmother. The family also wishes to express their appreciation for the support of their friends and family. 
 
Mom, we will miss you more than we can ever say, but we are comforted in the knowledge that we will be together again. We will honor your legacy by being joyful in our lives and serving others with unconditional love. 

Friends and family may pay their respects at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1950 S. Locust Grove, Meridian, Idaho on Sunday, January 13th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and Monday from 10-10:45 am.  Funeral service will be at 11am at the same location. Interment will follow at the Meridian City Cemetery.