In loving memory of

Elbert Keith Miles
March 14, 1956 - November 13, 2021


Elbert Keith Miles was born in beautiful San Diego on March 14, 1956. Although his name was Elbert, everyone knows him as Keith.

Keith has two brothers and two sisters. He is the third child and the first son born to a fantastic woman, Mildred Lee Tollette of Tollette, Arkansas; and born to an outstanding man, Elbert "Danny" Miles of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Mom and Dad made sure that Keith and his siblings were grounded in the church, and that they knew the Lord. The Miles Family went to Sunday School and stayed for Church every Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church under the Leadership of Dr. S.M. Lockridge.

Keith attended Crawford High School and graduated in 1974. Soon thereafter, Keith attended San Diego Mesa College where he studied electronics for the next two years. In 1976, Keith landed his career job at Hewlett-Packard, better known as HP.

Keith loved his job at HP. He excelled and was named top Electronic Technician. Keith fixed and repaired HP's world-renowned printers. Keith also gained vast knowledge and experience working in manufacturing where he learned the components of its software, hardware, and the functions of various computers.

After working with HP for some 3 years, Keith wanted to explore the world, and at the same time, he wanted to grow in the field of electronics. Keith loved everything electronics.

In 1979, Keith took a sabbatical from HP and joined the United States Army on January 23. Immediately after boot camp, Keith married his high school sweetheart, Linda Buchanan.

While stationed in Georgia, Linda, simply could not adjust to being married nor could she adjust to the military life. Linda soon became depressed and homesick. The marriage was strained, and Linda moved back home to be with her mother. Meanwhile, Keith poured all his energy into the Army.

Keith and Linda soon divorced. While in the Army, Keith became a "Tactical Microwave System Repairer." He also was a "Hand Grenade Expert Badge."

Within his four years as an Army Specialist, Keith managed to get an Associate of Arts Degree in Electronics.

On January 25, 1983, Keith received an honorable relief from active duty at the rank of E-4.

After Keith sacrificed his life for the United States Government and for the entire United States of America, he returned to Hewlett-Packard.

Keith always played a lead role or a supervisory role when at home or while in the Army or even at HP. As a supervisor at HP, Keith trained hundreds of new employees, old employees, and temporary employees.

For instance, Nereyda Magallanes was an outstanding temporary employee whom Keith had trained. After Nereyda's assignment had come to an end with HP, Keith stayed in contact with her. Nereyda was a single parent with 4 beautiful children. Keith did not have any children of his own. Upon sight, Keith instantly and automatically assumed the role as a father figure after meeting Nereyda's four children: {Shante, Sasha, Robert, and Ieasha}.

It was natural and undemanding for Keith to accept and love Nereyda and her children. Ieasha is the baby and Ieasha chose Keith to be her father. Ieasha was 2 years old when Keith first met his daughter and today Ieasha is 26.

In 2015, the company split into two companies: 1). HP Inc 2). Hewlett Packard Enterprise. This was a major change. After 39 years of Keith given HP his blood, sweat, and tears, Keith decided to retire.

During this time, Keith was only 59 years old. His plan was to move to Tollette Arkansas and put a mobile home in the middle of his 4 acres of land. There, he wanted too just chill. He wanted to relax and continue to run 26-mile marathons.

Once in Arkansas, he would train for the New York Marathon. After that, he would train for the granddaddy of them all, the Boston Marathon.

Keith's favorite sports to watch on TV are football, basketball, and golf. His favorite sport to participate in was golf. If ever looking for Keith, check your local golf course first. Keith also enjoyed bowling, swimming, and playing volleyball. Keith was very creative. In fact, he created a popular fun-filled exciting easy-to-play, and anybody can play and everybody can participate in his well-known, "Line Ball Game."

Keith is "The Worker" of the family. Everyone relied on Keith to get things done. Keith was always willing to help. Whenever we had a family event such as a barbecue at the beach or bicycle riding at the park or driving somewhere cross country, Keith was there loading up his truck and driving us wherever we wanted or needed to go.

With great sadness, and an unbelievable and incredible loss, brother Keith, while at the VA hospital in La Jolla California on a beautiful calm Saturday morning on November 13, 2021, at 8:49, Keith quietly stopped breathing and peacefully passed away.

Keith was preceded in death by his mother and father. Keith is survived by his sisters, Sheila Johnson, and Karen Hawes (Jess) both from San Diego; his brother, Terrell, of San Diego and his brother, Tony (Yvonne) from Holland. Keith is also survived by his lovely daughter, Ieasha, of San Diego, her mother, Nereyda, Keith's foster children, Shante, Sasha, and Robert, his grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tributes

Cassandra Davis wrote on Nov 15, 2021:

"Sheila and family, you all have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. May GOD comfort you all and bring you peace as only He can at this time. Cassandra Davis (Brown)"