Melanie Rae (Dixon) Miles was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 26, 1953. She fought her good fight and reached her final resting place with Jesus Christ on December 19, 2012 at the age of 59 years old.
Melanie was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence E. Miles, stepmother Joyce Dixon, her brother Brent Dixon, maternal grandparents Cleo and Eddie Mae Davis, paternal grandparents Joe and Lullarae Miller, in addition to her beloved nieces and nephews: Tyra Dixon, T’nae Lowe, Lanear Dunn and Keontrell Govan.
Melanie is survived by her father Carl Dixon; mother Jeanne Davis-Dixon; daughter Faith Brandon; son Min. Lawrence Miles; siblings Michael (Lottie), Marc (Sheila), Darren (Monica), Mitchel, Kim, Marcie, Brian (Caroline) and Brad (Saundra); and a host of relatives and many friends.
Melanie Miles retired as a supervisor from the Minnesota Human Rights Department after 34 years of service. She worked diligently to eradicate discrimination and empower every person in Minnesota with the ability to enjoy all the benefits of society regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, age and sexual orientation. She received numerous accolades and commendations during her tenure.
Melanie was an extraordinary woman who loved the Lord with all her heart and worked tirelessly in the ministry. Melanie was also known for her powerful singing voice that ministered to the hearts of many.
Melanie believed in having a family structure strengthened by Love, Laughter, Forgiveness and Patience. She had a way of making you feel like you were her “favorite.” Her unconditional love extended beyond her own family to many near and far. Her legacy will continue to live on through the generations because of the lives she has touched.
Wake will be held Friday, December 28, 7-9 pm. Re-viewal will be on Saturday, December 29, 11:30 am — 12:30 pm. Funeral service will be on Saturday, December 29, 12:30 pm. All services will be at Victory Christian Center Church, 3500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN.
Send flowers to Estes Funeral Home: 2210 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Send condolences to Faith & Lawrence Miles, 11210-B Sand Castle Dr., Woodbury, MN 55129.
Sis Melanie was an extraordinary, encouraging, powerful and praying Woman of God. Her smile is one that could never be forhotten.
I pray that God will continue to bring comfort and strength to Faith & Lawrence.
Love you.
Ministers Faith & Lawrence, my prayers are with you all and the family. I will always remember Melanie you hear music you cant help but remember her. How she inspired my children & myself. I tegret not being able to come. Please know I love you both dearly. Amelia
With heartfelt sympathy & love for Ministers Faith & Lawrence. My condolences to the entire family in their loss. Sis Melanie you will truly be missed. Your precious love & kindness was so awesome.Iloved you to sing To God be the Glory! You inspired many with your musical voice and laughter. Gone too soon but will never be forgotten. The Perkins-Stevenson Family
She was an amazing lady with a kind heart. I will never forget children’s choir rehearsal and her in between teachings back in the day. I love you Sister Melanie, Faith, and Lawrence.
I love Sister Melanie. I will not forget her. She was an example of a faithful and mighty woman of God. Her testimonies, laughter and desire to show Christ in everything she did helped me so many times. Her example of faith and how she raised her children to love the Lord inspired me also. My prayers to Lawrence and Faith.
Love, Sis Sharon
My dear friend Melanie will be missed here on earth, but I will see her again in our true home in heaven! Faith and Lawrence, you will be in my prayers, but I know you have the strong faith that your Mother instilled in you! I love you both.
Melanie was one of the few strong black women I could look up to in State government. She lead by example and I learned by watching. She will be missed tremendously.
I worked for and with Melanie at Human Rights. We became friends, and shared a lot of ourselves throughout the last several years. She truly has worked hard to implement the goal of eradicating discrimination. I miss our long talks. She will be missed by many. Faith and Lawrence, my prayers and love go to you and to the rest of the family. I know this is not easy, but you have your family, great memories and your faith to lead you through the pain and loss.
When I think of you I think of Jesus….Sister Melanie you left a huge foot print on this earth and I will never forget your teachings and the real love you had for us and The Lord. Treating us all the same. Sister Melanie you are where you deserve to be…in heaven. We love you. The Browns
Some folks you wonder if they made it in…NOT so with Melanie.She stuck it out when alot us went back…..if any one made it its her