CELEBRATION OF LIFE
AuGUEST 20, 1946- MARCH 29, 2017

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
AUGUEST 20, 1946- NlARCH 29, 2017

Saturday, AprilS, 2017, 1 pin Greenforest Con1n1unity Baptist Church 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Presiding Minister Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Emory Berry, Jr. Greenforest C01nmunity Baptist Church

Wednesday, April12, 2017, 1 pm Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ
1025 Western Ave, South Bend, IN 46601


Journalist, politician, minister, and author, OLLISTEEN "STEEN" MILES was born in South Bend, Indiana to Rev. Austin Andrew Davis and Rose Wheeler Davis on August 20, 1946. She was the eldest of nine children. She went to her eternal rest on March 29th, 2017. While both parents went to their heavenly homes at early ages, 47 and 51 respectively, they taught Steen early lessons of faith, family and community, values that played pivotal roles throughout her life. Steen accepted Christ as her personal savior at the age of seven when her father preached his first sermon. She accepted her own call to the ministry in 1995 and was licensed in December 2002 under the late Rev. Dr. George 0. McCalep, then Pastor of Greenforest Community Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia. Steen was an active member since October 1989. She taught Sunday School and served in various ministries or wherever she was required. Minister Miles has ministered at dozens of churches throughout Georgia, the Nation, the Caribbean and abroad. Steen loved to travel taking trips to Africa and the Caribbean. As an International Ambassador for Peace, she made trips to the Holy Land in Israel and South Korea.

Steen attended Franklin Elementary, Riley Junior High in South Bend, graduating in 1964 from South Bend Central. Described as very bright, Steen was accepted to then Ball State Teachers College and majored in Business Education with a minor in English. Financial issues forced Steen to leave college after a year and she went to work as a secretary for the Associates Corporation in South Bend

In 1966, she was united in marriage to LeRoy King,

Jr. of South Bend. Two children were born to this

couple. The young couple relocated to Cincinnati,

Ohio where Steen became a division secretary for

General Electric. Excellent in her craft, General

EIW!ic, th{ough the Cincinnati Chamber of

Codl&.erce, loaned Steen to Leon Sullivan's

OpportttJ~ties Industrialization Center (OIC) to

teach se skills to the under-employed and

unempl

Always on a quest for knowledge,

Steen c ued her education at the University

of Cincinnati. Pregnant with their first child, after

2 years the couple returned to South Bend. Steen

became a secretary for the Bendix Corporation and was later employed by the South Bend Urban League as Director of Community Relations. She became active in many civic organizations including the Urban League Guild, a charter member of the League of Women Voters and served as the first woman on the board of the Boy Scouts ofAmerica. It was during her employment as Urban League Community Relations Director that Steen developed a program that was a source of great pride - The Welfare Credit Counseling Program. In cooperation with the South Bend Chamber of Commerce and reputable business establishments, welfare recipients who completed a six-week course in best buying practices were approved for credit at higher end stores to purchase furniture, clothes and even cars. The program had a 98% success rate for credit worthiness, better than conventional buyers. Steen continued her education at Indiana University at South Bend.
In 1970, Steen heard of an opportunity for a disc jockey at WNDU-AM and FM. She auditioned and was hired for two hours two nights a week. After a year on the airwaves as "Steen King the Soul Queen': she was asked to audition for the television side of the combo shop. Landing the job, Steen became the first African American woman on television in South Bend at WNDU-TV, the NBC affiliate on the campus of Notre Dame. Thus began her illustrious career which spanned more than 30 years and included WCKY Radio in Cincinnati, NBC's WMAQ Radio News in Chicago, News Director for WBMX and WVON-WGCI in Chicago where she worked with national radio personality Tom Joyner. While at WMAQ Radio in Chicago, Steen was part of a team of investigative reporters to do an award-winning series called the "milk bilk" exposing the practices of some dairy farmers selling stale milk. The series received an Associated Press Award and led the Illinois legislature to begin requiring dairy farmers to put "freshness dates" on their dairy products. Other food manufacturers voluntarily began the practice and thus we have "expiration dates" on various products today. This series demonstrated the power of the media to bring about impactful change.
Steen and Leroy's marriage dissolved and in 1980 she remarried and moved to Atlanta with Savannah native,

the late Robert Miles. She was employed as State Broadcast Editor for United Press International in Atlanta before joining WXIA-TV, the Atlanta NBC affiliate where she served as Assignment Editor, Managing Editor and Reporter-Anchor from 1984-1999. In 2001, she was hired as Chief Media Relations Officer for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), serving as the agency's primary spokesperson. In 2001 until 2009, she hosted the talk show Faith in the City Forum, a discussion of current events and public policy from diverse faith perspectives on air at AlB-TV Interfaith Broadcast. She served as a mentor and counselor to many young women and men in the media and was always willing to share her knowledge. In 1999, because of the myriad of social issues she encountered covering the cities, Steen left her comfort level of television news to follow a leading into what she called "the ministry of public service:' After an unsuccessful run for CEO of DeKalb County and serving as Media Relations for MARTA in 2005, Steen returned to her continued quest for knowledge and attended Georgia State University.
Her new calling led her to seek elective office again. She ran for the Georgia State Senate and was elected in a landslide victory representing District 43, which included DeKalb and Rockdale Counties. As she did as a journalist, Steen distinguished herself as a lawmaker and become the Lt. Governor's go-to person. She was often sent to the "well, passionately addressing her colleagues on the issues of the day - mostly involving women, children, the physically and mentally frail and the elderly. Her mantra to serve came from the African proverb, "Because you are, I am, and because I am, you are:' Her love of her community reflected in everything she did. While in the Senate, she wrote and/or co-sponsored 71 pieces of legislation and resolutions. She ran for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia in 2006, coming in third offive candidates. In 2008, she became a contributing columnist to The Champion Newspaper, DeKalb County's legal organ. In 2014, she was a candidate for U.S. Senate, coming in second of four candidates.
During her esteemed career, Miles was recognized with nearly 300 awards, honors and commendations from businesses, government, civic organizations, Greek organizations, churches, schools and universities. Her journalism awards include three Emmy Awards and four Emmy Award nominations, along with awards from the Associated Press, Georgia Press Association, United Press International, Atlanta Association

of Black Journalists, Allen Cable TV awards and the Gannett Corporation.
In 2013, Miles was honored by 4th District Congressman, Hank Johnson, with an Outstanding Citizen Citation. In 1996, Miles was awarded the coveted Pioneer Journalist of the Year by the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists. Miles was an SCLC Women Mentor with the late Evelyn Lowery and mentored an 11-year-old girl until she reached the age of 17. That young lady successfully graduated from high school with a Hope Scholarship. Steen was featured in Who's Who in Black Atlanta and named among the ranks of the national History Makers with a video biography included in the U.S. Library of Congress. Senator Miles was invited twice to the White House by Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. Bush among a select group of national journalists. She was invited by the Speaker of the House to attend the 1998 ceremony in which South African President, the late Nelson Mandela received the Congressional Gold Medal. Senator Miles was a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and served on its board. She also graduated from the Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute. She was extremely proud of receiving the keys to her hometown, the City of South Bend, IN. A published author, Senator Miles penned a childhood memoir entitled, Teenie: Newslady in Training. A second book entitled, The Fall in the Garden, chronicling her journey with lung cancer, was in progress at the time of her transition. Let there be no doubt, "cancer picked the wrong chick!" She NEVER let cancer get her down. She often said, "Whatever it is you may be going through, have FAITH! The Almighty God has your back and because of that you already have the victory!"
Family was everything to Steen Miles. She loved her family with a fierce and abiding love. She was the "glue" and the true matriarch. One brother, Austin Davis, Jr preceded her in death as well as one sister, Dr. Mary Katherine (Lee) Sanders. She leaves to cherish her memory her two adoring daughters, Kellie "Elderjoy" (Michael) Walker and Heather "Babyjoy" (Lee) Bailey. Four grandchildren, William Lee Middleton, Kellea JoSteen Lovejoy, Langston Alexander Bailey and Lauren Avri-Marie Bailey. Other loving siblings who survive are Richard Davis, Mae Hamilton, Bruford Louis (Rae-Sharon) Davis, Philip Davis, Darlies Jeron (Anita) Davis and Bradford Anthony (Rena) Davis, the mothers of her nieces and nephews, Sharon Walker, Clara Davis, Claudia Davis, Kim Davis, Sandra Wiley Davis and Kenya Martin, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

From Elderjoy and Babyjoy

God gave you eyes big beautiful and bright
You used them to see His blessings each day and to focus on His light through dark nights

ONE in Steen's family, she would probably fight you!) Fierce love like a lion for her tribe far and near blood or adopted in, she would always protect her crew.

You used them to see beyond this earthen shell to one's soul

You used your heart to love everyone, even some who didn't understand

To exalt gifts in others and uplift their hidden gold

But that never stopped you for you said, ((Love!" that is God's first Command!

God gave you a voice mighty and strong
You used it to enlighten, to encourage and to help right societal wrongs
You used it to say loud and proud

God gave you hands and feet that until the very end, you used to bless every stranger and every friend.
Anyone who was blessed to be in your presence will surely attest

Look to our God! The author and finisher of our Faith! In Him do we trust when battles we must face! You used your voice to comfort, show love and guide - your words crafted ever so brilliant never one to run or hide
God gave you a heart of a lion as big as the universe is wide! Your love was loyal, deep and will ever abide!
Especially your love of family! (Oh Lord we ALL know it's true, if you messed with ANY-

Everything God gave you, you gave back to Him through your service to us exponentially multiplied giving your very, very best.
We love you dear beautiful Queen Newslady our Mother, our Sister, our Nana, our Auntie, our Cousin, our in-law, our minister, our counselor, or mentor, our colleague, and our friend.
Now, God's good and faithful servant, for a life so well lived, may God give you sweet sweet sweet rest and we will see you again.

Georgia General Assembly, Senator 2005 -2007
Candidate, Lt. Governor 2006
Candidate, U.S. Senate 2014
President, Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center
Co-Chair, Georgia Working Families Agenda 2006
Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute 2005
Regional Leadership Institute 2005 Board Member Leadership DeKalb PRChair
2002 Graduate Leadership DeKalb
Volunteer DeKalb County Health Department
Federal Transit Administration Communications Task Force
American Public Transportation Association Marketing and Communications Committee
Member, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists
Member, Emory University Public Relations Council
Member Concerned Black Clergy
Greenforest Baptist Church - Minister, Sunday school teacher
Board Member East DeKalb Boys and Girls Club
Board Member Georgia Juvenile Justice Metro Youth Detention Center
Advisory Board Member Carlos Museum
Honorary Chair United Negro College Fund DeKalb Unit
United Way DeKalb County Women of Legacy
Board Member Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Honorary Chair American Diabetes Association African American Initiative SCLC Women Mentor
Honorary Member South DeKalb Rotary

Charter Member Decatur-DeKalb Chapter National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Founding Member Jack and Jill of America Stone Mountain Chapter President Jack and Jill of America Stone Mountain Chapter (two terms)
Board Member Salvation Army
Board Member Edwards- Miller Foundation
Board Member Victim's Witness Assistance Program
Board Member Project Impact
President Canby Lane E.S. PTA
Board Member DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Vice President Miller Grove PTA Secretary Rowland E.S. PTA
Board Member DeKalb League of Women Voters
AWARDS AND HONORS
Southern Women's Lawmaker Pacesetter Award 2006
Three Emmys
Associated Press
United Press International
Gannett Corporation
South Bend Tribune Unsung Hero History Maker
Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Pioneer Journalist of the Year
National Association of Media Women Pioneer Journalist
DeKalb Board of Ed. 5th District
DeKalb NAACP President's Award
Decatur-DeKalb Delta Sigma Theta Community Service Award
Decatur-DeKalb Delta Sigma Theta Excellence in Media Award
MARTA/YWCA Woman of Achievement
WXIA-TV/YWCA Woman of Achievement
Lithonia Chamber of Commerce
March of Dimes

Georgia Business Council
South DeKalb Rotary Champion Newspaper Pioneer Award
Women Looking Ahead Magazine Award
Who's Who in Black America
Outstanding Young Women of America
Dollars and Sense Magazine (Top 100 National business and professional women)
MLK Birthday Celebration Honorary Grand Marshal (twice)
Two invitations to the White House
DeKalb Special Olympics Grand Marshal
Canby Lane ES Parents of the Year
Canby Lane Outstanding Leadership Award
Ft. Valley State University Parents of the Year
Toney Gardens Civic Association Community Service/Media Award
The Atlanta Project
The Atlanta School Board
National Council of Negro Women Community Service Award
Single Women's Magazine Journalist of the Year
2006 Keys to City of South Bend, IN
Who's Who In Black Atlanta
Board Member Ga. Commission on Women
Board Member Georgia Commission on Domestic Violence
2008 Pinnacle Award for Leadership East Point/College Park Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
2009 DeKalb NAACP Community Service Award
2012 Ga. Press Association, 1st Place Editorial Writing
Author: Teenie: Newslady in TrainingOrman Press

Saturday, April 8, 2017, 1 pm
Greenforest Community Baptist Church 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, GA 30032

Presiding ............................................................................................................. Rev. Dr. Emory Berry, Jr. Senior Pastor, Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Welcome ..................................................................................................................... Rev. Kenneth Samuel Officiant and Senior Pastor, Victory for the World Church

The Processional ......................................................................................... Drums of the Motherland

Lesson From the Old Testament (Psalm 23) ..................................... Rev. Dr. William Flippin Senior Pastor, Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church

Lesson From the Old Testament (Proverbs 3:5-6) ............................. Min. Dr. Irene Lawson Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Lesson From the New Testament (I Corinthians 13) ..................... Minister Anne Beasley Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Lesson From the New Testament (II Corinthians 5:1-8) .......................... Rev. Stephen Dial Senior Pastor, Rainbow Park Baptist Church

The Prayer ................................................................................................................... Rev. David Hopewell Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Celebration in Song ................................................................................................ "The Lord's Prayer" Dr. Emily K. Massey
Tributes (3 minutes please) Proclamations The Honorable Henry "Hank" Johnson, Congressman 4th District The Honorable Emanuel Jones, Senator District 10 The Honorable Michael Thurman, CEO DeKalb County,

Celebration in Song ............................................................................................................. "Total Praise" Greenforest Community Baptist Church Choir
Tributes - Media Colleagues and Friends Brenda Wood, Retired Anchor WXIA, 11-Alive News Amanda Davis, Anchor WGCL, CBS46 Bill Crane, Political Commentator WSB, Channel2 Action News, Champion Newspaper John Hewitt, Chief Operating Officer, Champion Newspaper

Celebration in Song ............................................................................................. "I Won't Complain" Robin Latimore

Tributes - Family Friends Carolyn Forrest The Honorable Dee Dawkins-Haigler Rev. Pierre Sheppard

LaVerne Carter Min. Allison Henderson-Brooks Michael Warren

Celebration in Song .............................................................................. "Nobody Better Than You"

Ralph E. White, Jr., Saxophonist

Tributes - Family

Renee Neeley - Cousin

Tijuanna Davis - Niece

Sarita Miles - Step Daughter

Rae Sharon Davis- Sister-in-love

Rev. Leroy King III - Step Son

Austin C. Davis- Nephew

Elder Bobby Gray - Cousin

Celebration in Song .................................................................................................... (1\.mazing Grace" Min. Jerry Vaughn

The Sermon ............................................................................................................ Rev. Dr. Emory Berry Senior Pastor, Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Church Proclamation ................................................ Greenforest Community Baptist Church

Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... Annette Gomes

Expression of Gratitude ........................................................... Kellie Walker and Heather Bailey

Recessional ..................................................................................................... Drums of the Motherland

Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 1 pm
Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ 1025 Western Ave, South Bend, IN 46601
Welcome The Processional Lesson From the Old Testament (Psalm 23) Lesson From the New Testament (I Corinthians 13)
The Prayer Celebration in Song
Proclamations Tributes (3 minutes please)
Celebration in Song The Sermon
Celebration in Song Expression of Gratitude
Recessional

Pall Bearers: Mr Bill Carter Mr Harvey Lottie

Flower Attendants: The Ladies of the East Metro Orchids Associates and Mothers of Stone Mountain Chapter Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Richard Davis - Brother Philip Davis - Brother Austin C. Davis - Nephew LaMonte Davis- Nephew Richard Davis II- Nephew Antonio Goodwin - Nephew Michael Walker Jr - Grandson Langston Bailey - Grandson

Bruford Davis- Brother Lee Sanders- Brother-in-love Darlies Davis - Brother Bradford Davis - Brother Braxton Davis- Nephew William Middleton - Grandson DeMond Davis- Nephew Travis (Davis) Johnson- Nephew Grover Hamilton- Nephew Bradford Davis Jr- Nephew Lee Sanders Jr- Nephew Michael Walker Sr- Son-in-love Derek Walker- Grandson Lee Bailey- Son-in-love

Honorary Flower Attendants: Mae Rose Hamilton - Sister Tijuanna Davis - Niece Rosalyn Davis - Niece Rolena Davis - Niece Shaugh-Taijh Davis - Niece Catrina King - Niece Anita Davis - Sister-in-love

Annette Gomes - Niece

Toya Sanders - Niece

Lakisha Wallace - Niece

Burgandy Davis - Niece

Darla Davis - Niece

Olicia Davis - Niece

Sajata Smith - Niece

Tika Davis - Niece

Melaina Davis- Niece

Kellea Lovejoy- Granddaughter

Rena Davis- Sister-in-love Rae Sharon Davis- Sister-in-love

Sadie Walker- Granddaughter Robin Walker- Granddaughter

Funeral Services Provided with Love and Care by: Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, Georgia 30034

Acknowledgements: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! We hasten to extend our sincerest thanks to so many friends and family who brought food, flowers, or other articles, while others gave time, energy, shared a laugh or gave monetary gifts. Still others offered fervent prayers and uplifting songs. We are so grateful for every expression oflove. Please accept our thanksgiving from the bottom of our hearts. We cannot find words adequate to express our gratitude. May the Lord bless you all the days of your lives. We want to extend heartfelt thanks to Rev Dr. Emory Berry and the entire Greenforest Community Baptist Church family, The mothers of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The distinguished ladies ofthe East Metro Orchids, "Steen's Team': all ministers, pastors, media, and friends. A special thank you to Steen Miles' "angels"- Dr. Gulshen Harjee, Dr. Simbo Aduloju, and the nursing staff at The Stemmer Building of Georgia Cancer Specialists and DeKalb Medical Center. Truly, cancer picked the wrong chick!

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Rockdale Chapel 1999 Highway 138 SE Conyers, GA 30013 (770) 285-6673

Avondale-Scottdale Chapel 351 North Clarendon Ave. Scottdale, GA 30079 (404) 294-5500

Gwinnett Chapel 1914 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30013 (770) 338-5558

South DeKalb Chapel 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy., South DeKalb Decatur, GA 30034 (404) 241-5656

www.levettfuneralhome.com