Pauline Miles

Mom entered this world on Oct 21, 1926, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She peacefully departed on her birthday, ninety-nine years later, at home with her family and friends. Grace Memorial Chapel will be overseeing services, and the family will accept friends at the Chapel between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. Pauline will be interred at IOOF Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 24th. A celebration of her life will follow at First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Her friends are invited to attend all these services. If you cannot attend, the services will be livestreamed on the Grace Memorial Chapel website, just open Pauline’s page and scroll down till you see Livestream and click on the link to view. Casket bearers will be grandsons Luke, Jeremy and Jason Miles and great-grandsons Gage, Lane and Riley Miles and Peter Rios.

Mom was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Walter and Emma Deffner family moved to Ponca City soon after. They lived on various farms around Kay County as they toiled to make ends meet during the depression years. Pauline graduated from Po-Hi in 1944. Her dad told her he could not afford to send her to college but offered an alternative. She accepted the opportunity and travelled to Washington, DC, to support the war effort as a secretary in the Department of the Navy. During the war, she worked in Naval Intelligence, made many lifelong friends and met Elenore Roosevelt, a lady she highly admired.

When the war ended, she returned to Ponca where she worked at Security Bank and helped out on the family farm. A young veteran delivering fuel to the farm spotted her and they were soon engaged. Ken and Pauline married in 1948, and the two of them would remain inseparable for sixty-five years until Ken’s passing in 2013.

Once married, mom’s job became raising a family and supporting her husband. She worked as his secretary in the insurance business, became active in Mothers Club and the American Business Club auxiliary. In 1966, they stepped out on faith as Ken pursued a lifelong passion and opened Ken Miles Hammond Organ Studio. They invested all their money, time and resources in the business with no assurance of success. Hard work and long hours ultimately resulted in sales in forty-seven states and seven foreign countries. Suppliers rewarded their hard work with trips abroad, and they soon developed a love of travel. They enjoyed many trips to Europe and Asia and met many wonderful people who would remain friends for life.

Mom had a beautiful smile, and she didn’t mind sharing it. Even as she suffered during the last few days, every visitor was greeted with one. When she could no longer talk, she could smile. Her attitude remained positive as it had throughout her life. Ken’s passing left a void in her life that was hard to endure. She spoke of him often but did not let the pain of his loss overcome her. She relied on her faith and her family to sustain her through a very difficult time.

Pauline is survived by her daughter Nikki Ephraim (Phil), sons Gary (Alvie), Kip (Karen) and Kelly (Shelli) as well as thirteen grandchildren and countless great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Lois, Kenneth and Lloyd and granddaughter Meredith.

The family wishes to thank Joe Chambers, long-time friend and caregiver to Ken and Pauline, for his compassion and support. We also thank Arlene, Mayrelle, Mandy and Cheryl for caring for her through many nights. We especially want to thank Hospice of North Central Oklahoma for their professional and compassionate service that helped sustain all of us through a difficult time. We ask that you share our appreciation and support them with a memorial in Pauline’s name if you so desire.

In ninety-nine years, you lose most of your friends and family. All that remains is your faith. Not only did that faith sustain Pauline, it reassures us that she is where she wanted to be and once again united with the love of her life. If you do not possess that faith, she would love to share hers. Please accept the gift.

Online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net