In Memory ~ Stewart, Barbara (Miles)

Barbara Stewart
June 26, 1943 ~ April 28, 2017

(Barbara's high school yearbook photo, 1961)

ALLIANCE — Barbara Jean (Stewart) Miles, died Friday, April 28, 2017, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., at the age of 73.

Barb was born June 26, 1943, in Colorado Springs, Colo., the youngest of six children born to Gerald Allen and Mary Elizabeth (Malloy) Stewart. Barb and her family moved to Alliance when she was a toddler. Barb graduated from Alliance High School in 1961. Barb was an active athlete especially in swimming and diving. Most of her youth was spent as a lifeguard at the swimming pool. Barb also attended Chadron State College.

Barb became the clerk of court for Box Butte County in 1965, taking over the position from her father at the time of his death and a job she loved very much. On Aug. 30, 1969, she married James Neil Miles and moved to Hiland, Wyo., and became a rancher’s wife for the next 20 years. Barb took on the job she loved the most, mother of her three children; she was very active in whatever her children were doing. In 1998 she returned to Alliance to work for Dayco and Parker Hannifin until her health forced her to retire in 2007. Barb loved to spend time with family, friends and her animals. She loved all children as if they were her own. She loved to gamble taking a yearly trip to Deadwood and to drink a good cup of coffee.

She will be dearly missed by her children Mary Margret Miles of Alliance, James (Megan) Noah Miles of Hemingford, and Charles (Sheri) Stewart Miles of rural Alliance; her three granddaughters, Dali Rae, Samantha Kelly, and Kail Grace; her brother, Michael of Pasadena, Calif.; sister-in-law Patsy Stewart of Colorado Springs; and brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Cecelia Kasper of Riverton, Wyo., along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Brothers Gerald, James and Richard (Butch) and Sister Mary Helen.

Memorial Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, Barb’s wishes were for donations to be made to the Box Butte General Hospital Dialysis Unit or the Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara's birthday photo used in Class of 1961 blog.

This is information Barbara submitted for the 50th reunion class booket

Stewart, Barbara

Spouse ~ Miles (separated)

220 South Hudson

Alliance, NE  69301

308-762-2466

csmiles99@yahoo.com                  

C ~ Three children ~ Mary Margaret (40),

James Noah (39), Charles Stewart (30)

G ~ One grandchild ~ Samantha Kelly (6)

Elected Clerk of district court October 1965.  Married James N Miles August 1969.  Moved to Wyoming to the family cattle ranch (from 1969-1984).  Elected to district 24 school district in 1981 served for eight years.  Served on Board of Cooperative services (five school districts) served for eight years also.  Served on the Fremont County Board of Public Health Nurses for four years.  Kept books for three trucking companies.  Worked on the Eastern Shoshone/Northern Arapahoe reservation counseling young children.

Returned to Alliance in March of 1998.  Went to work for Dayco/Parker (worked there until I was put on Dialysis in 2007).  All three of my children live here in the Nebraska panhandle and are my greatest joy.