Jean Anthony Miley, of Tickfaw, passed away surrounded by family early Wednesday morning on April 20, 2016, in Talowah, Miss. She died from a battle with cancer lasting over six years.

She was born on May 6, 1943, and grew up in Tickfaw. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University.

She was married to Fred Miley in 1959, and they were married for 56 years.

She was altruistic in her humanitarian endeavors. During her life, she was active in the deaf and deaf/blind community acting as an interpreter for the hearing-impaired, whom she was passionately devoted to. She lobbied for civil rights for anyone whom she felt was over looked and was instrumental in passing legislation that benefited them.

She worked over the years as a successful business entrepreneur, and as a hearing-impaired interpreter at the local universities.

She was instrumental in the lives of quite a few nieces, and nephews who she loved wholeheartedly. Several lived with her over the years and she became “Mama” to them. She had many friends in all walks of life, as she never met a stranger with her eternal optimism: “You can do anything you set your mind to!”

Jean enjoyed the company of her only grandson and many “adopted” grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was very active in the lives of her family.

Jean is survived by her husband, Fred Bateman Miley; her daughter, Sherry Miley Campbell and her husband Glen; grandson, Matthew Young Miley Campbell; sister-in-law, Delores Anthony; a “special daughter,” Debra Scardina Cannino and her two children; and many nieces and nephews.

Those who preceded her in death were her parents, I.D. Olivia (Stewart) and Murk Elbert Anthony and beloved son, Lemuel John “Speedy” Stewart III Miley; and a brother, Willis Murphy Anthony.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, located at 2000 N. Morrison Blvd. in Hammond. The service will start at 1 p.m.

A guest book is available online at www.harrymckneely.com.