Dorothy "Dottie" Miles

ANNA – Dorothy “Dottie” Mae Miles, 60, of Anna passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in her residence.



Dottie was born on Saturday, November 16, 1957 in Murphysboro to Harold Franklin and Della Mae (Strickland) Wilson. She married James P. Miles on June 10, 1989 in Anna and spent a lifetime together enjoying each other’s company. James will forever miss and love her.



Dottie is survived by her husband, James P. Miles of Anna; brother, Carl “Dump” Wilson; nephews, Jim and Steve Wilson; nieces, Luanne & husband Mike Burdick and Carla and husband Charles Carroll; and great-nephews and great-nieces, Shane and Sarah Burdick and Christopher and Della Carroll.



Dottie was preceded in death by father, Harold “Shorty” Wilson; mother, Della (Strickland) Wilson; sister, June (Wilson) Bludworth; and James “Tobe” Rainey Poe.



Dottie attended Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake, went on to study at Shawnee Community College in Ullin and Murray State University in Murray, KY.



Dottie served her country in the U.S. Navy Reserve. She spent her life helping others through her work in Emergency Management Services as well as her gift for mentoring and personal outreach, her influence on those around her was tremendous and widespread.



Dottie started working for the Jackson County Ambulance Service in 1978 as a volunteer in Grand Tower. She went on to work full-time as an EMT-Paramedic for the ambulance service in Murphysboro and Carbondale. In 1992 she became an EMT Supervisor and then in 2000 became the Director of Jackson County Ambulance Service. She held that position until her retirement in 2014.



In 1990, Dottie received an award for heroism from the Illinois Department of Public Health. This award was presented for Dottie’s actions in preventing a patient from jumping out of a window at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro. She also received the Illinois Rural Health Association EMS Worker of the Year in 2011.



Dottie was a major collaborator in the Rural Medical Transportation Network, a project of the Southern Illinois University- Carbondale Center for Rural Health & Social Service Development. Dottie co-authored an article that was published in JEMS magazine about the Patient Navigator Project. A project which she innovated. Dottie was instrumental in effectively advocating legislative and regulatory changes that have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of EMS, and subsequently, enhanced the quality of life of the people of Illinois.



She served on numerous committees and boards including, Executive Board of the Illinois State Ambulance Association, Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Exam Committee because of her superior familiarity with IDPH Rules and Regulations, Region 5, EMS Advisory Committee, WPS Medicare Provider Education/Training Committee; served as secretary for the Jackson County 911 Board; served as an EMT instructor for John A. Logan College and Shawnee Community College by teaching EMT and First Responder classes on site in rural areas of southern Illinois. She assisted the County Third Party Administrator (TPA) in administering Workers Compensation for over 480 employees.



When not working in EMS and making a huge impact on society, Dottie served as president of the Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Centre in Grand Tower. She also enjoyed Saluki Athletics especially basketball.



After thirty five years of service Dottie retired from the Jackson County Ambulance Service as Director from a profession she loved. She truly was one of a kind, touched so many lives in positive ways.



A memorial service for Dottie will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018 at Meredith Funeral Chapel in Grand Tower with Pastor Greg Parker officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the start of service at the Meredith Funeral Chapel in Grand Tower on Monday.



The preferred form of remembrance are memorials to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Chapel.



Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Dottie please visit, www.meredithfh.com.