Maggie M Miles

Maggie M. Miles, age 82, formerly of the Leamington Community in Gallatin County passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025 at her daughter's home in Effingham, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family. Maggie was born in Gary, Indiana on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1943 to the late Floyd and Violet (Beattie) Thomas. On September 24, 1960 she married the love of her life, Bernard E. Miles, who preceded her in death in 2017.

Maggie was talented and hardworking, taking on many roles over the years. She was a dedicated homemaker while raising her daughters in the 1960s and 1970s and sold Avon on the side. In the 1980s, she made countless beautiful wedding cakes for couples, including one for each of her daughters and eventually her granddaughter. During the 1980s and early 1990s, she also managed the old Pounds Hollow concession stand. However, many will remember her for the years she worked at Rash’s Quick Mart in Shawneetown before retiring in the early 2000s.

Beyond all her talents, Maggie’s greatest joy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved family gatherings, especially during the holidays, and would always have a big pot of chicken and dumplings waiting to feed the crew. She enjoyed spending time with her family, whether going on outings with her daughters, especially to Purse Bingo, attending her great-grandkids’ ball games, or watching her great-granddaughter sing and perform on stage. Maggie was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Maggie is survived by her daughters, Shelia (Charles) Threet of Carrier Mills and Sheryl (Eddie) Edwards of Effingham, her sister, Shirley Johns of Cave-In-Rock, two brothers, John Jackiewicz of Ridgway and Robert Thomas of Crestview, Florida, three grandchildren, Brandon (Cheyenne) Edwards of Rosebud, South Dakota, Kendra (Aaron) Zirkelbach of Marion, and Jeremy (Alexandra) Edwards of Dieterich, seven great-grandchildren, Abby Zirkelbach, Ethan Zirkelbach, Kyleigh Edwards, Jace Engelmeier, Rowan Edwards, Emmett Edwards, and Luca Edwards as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Maggie was proceeded in death by two brothers, Floyd Thomas and Edgar Thomas and two sisters, Sharon Caldwell and Nancy Gobin.