Janet Miles

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Janet Louise (Ayers) Miles, 84, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on May 7, 2026. She was born on February 6, 1942, in Sheldon, Missouri, to Orvan and Dortha Ayers.

Janet attended Hanes Grove School and Lamar High School. She married Merle E. Brown, and their union was blessed with two daughters, Tamela and Teresa. The family lived in Wichita, Kansas, until Merle’s passing, and Janet returned to Lamar.

Janet married Kenneth D. Miles, and they began their life together in Oklahoma City. They added three children to the family: Katherine, Jarel, and Wesley.

Janet devoted many years to being a stay-at-home mother. She was an excellent seamstress who lovingly sewed clothing for her daughters when they were young. Later, she worked at Furr’s Cafeteria. Janet was also known as an exceptional cook, and friends and family often found her ironing, tending her garden, reading, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, or enjoying a game of bowling. After retirement, Janet and Kenneth returned to Lamar to care for her mother, Dortha.

A member of Iantha (Methodist) Community Church, Janet was active in the United Methodist Women (UMW). She loved music and singing, and her favorite hymn was “He Touched Me.” Her faith, kindness, and servant’s heart touched many lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orvan and Dortha Ayers; her brother, PFC Jarel Wayne Ayers; her daughter, Teresa Brown Norton; and her granddaughter, Kendra Jean Gard.

Janet is survived by her husband of 62 years, Kenneth; daughter Tamela (Joe) Schafer of Forney, Texas; daughter Katherine Gard of Lamar, Missouri; sons Jarel (Sherry) Miles of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Wesley (Stephani) Miles of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jason (Evelyn) Brown of Forney, Texas; Jeremy Brown of Frisco, Texas; Christina Aponte of Watauga, Texas; Kelly (Brent) Courville of Forney, Texas; Kimberly (Harold) Stokes of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Kelsey Norton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Drake (Rachel) Gard of Fairview, Oklahoma; Marissa (Cole) Corlett of Webb City, Missouri; Blake Gard of Fairview, Oklahoma; Courtney Miles of Marlow, Oklahoma; Jeffrey Miles of Atlanta, Georgia; Whitney Miles of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ava Roper of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Sophie Roper of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Aden Roper of Mustang, Oklahoma.

Janet also leaves behind great-grandchildren Victoria, Charlotte, Haylie, Trevor, Alexis, Quinn, Lincoln, Georgia, Aubrey G., Brigham, Jax, Aelita, Casper, Brayleigh, Aubrey M., a baby boy due soon; and great-great-grandchildren Bentley, Elleana, Parker, Oliver, Hudson, and Paisley, along with several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Good Shepherd Hospice and Quality Home Care, especially Monica and Brittany, for their compassionate care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in care of the funeral home.

Visitation will be held at Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar, MO on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Moorehead Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026.