Itasca Lee Johnson Miles, affectionately known as "TAC", was born to Jimmie & Mabel Green Johnson on October 20, 1921 in Gonzales, Texas.  She was the second of four children.  Mrs. Miles departed this life on Wednesday night, June 15, 2022 at the age of 100 years & 7 months.

Mrs. Miles graduated from George Edward High School in Gonzales, TX.  Itasca was employed as a housekeeper prior to enlisting in the United States Army in 1942, becoming the 1 ^st Black "WAC" from her hometown of Gonzales, TX.  A picture of her in uniform was featured in the front window of the J.C. Penny Store in Gonzales for the entirety of her stay in the military.  After being shipped to Louisville, Kentucky Itasca met the "LOVE OF HER LIFE", Ernest Allen Miles, who was also stationed there.  Itasca & Ernest were married on April 14, 1946 & to this union 5 children were born.  Itasca was employed by & retired from Western Electric with 19.5 years of service.

Mrs. Miles was a faithful member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church until declining health.  She served on the usher board & was President of the Mary Dudley Women's Progressive Club.  Mrs. Miles was a great cook, especially known for her candied yams, sweet potatoes, banana pudding, & home-made ice cream.  She was deeply religious & continued to pray & praise God despite the decline in her health.  Itasca was a loving, kind, & supportive mother with a quiet gentle spirt.  She adored her children & was very protective of them.  Her love & generosity could never be matched.  Her hobbies included sewing, ceramics, watching wrestling, solving word puzzles, & reading the Bible.  Itasca got so much pleasure when visited by Deacon Lowery, his wife, Rev. Carlton & other church members.  She loved both the Johnson & Miles families.  Her children & grandchildren meant the world to her.

Mrs. Miles was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Ernest; daughter, Reva Itasca; son, Baby Boy Miles; sister, Ora Mae Doss; & brother, Melvin Johnson.

She leaves to cherish with many wonderful memories an adoring & loving son, Jerrold Allen Miles (Naomi); adoring & loving daughters, Jewel Etta Johnson & Ernestine M. Hairston; grandsons, Eugene Hairston, Jr., Charles Johnson, Jr. (Lamika), Tevin Allen Miles, and Jalen Miles; granddaughters, Denara Hairston, Tarra Ellis, & Karen Richardson; great-grandchildren, Kendrianna, Kineika, Ania, Konica, Ja'Lacia, Nadya, Ja'Kayla, Joseph, Shi'Heem, Ra'Heem, Ahmad, Miles, & Walter; 5 great-great-grands; one loving sister, Reva Johnson; 3 loving nieces, Marilyn, Theresa; & Gwendolyn; special neighbors and friends, Richard & Lillie Byrd; & a host of other relatives & friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Friday, June 24, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12noon Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3978 Pine Hall Road Walkertown, NC 27051 with Rev. Graylin Carlton officiating and Rev. Johnnie Taylor eulogist.  Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Church Cemetery.  The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Saturday at the Church.  Masks are required for the services.

Special thanks are extended to Dr. Andrew Evans, Dr. Sakeitha Crowder, the nurses of Medi Home Health & Hospice and special thanks to Tiffany.