Community mourns JMB assistant principal, Somerset pastor

Public education and church communities mourn the loss of David Allen Miles, an upbeat and outgoing administrator at his high school alma mater in Salisbury whose excitement about the gospel led to his pastorship at one of Somerset County's oldest churches.

Miles, an assistant principal at James M. Bennett High School and pastor at St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church east of Princess Anne, died suddenly at his home in Salisbury between late Sunday and early Monday, according to family.

The veteran educator and clergy member was 45. He is survived by his parents, Kairl and Mary Miles of Salisbury; and two sisters, Kairlyn Smith and Vashti Miles.

"He always had a smile on his face," said Margaret Bratton, an aunt and retired educator in Princess Anne. "He was a pastor and an administrator in public schools, but you would never know that his work was stressful — he always had something positive to say or to pass along."

Miles joined the Wicomico County Board of Education in 2007 as a social studies teacher at the Choices Academy alternative school in Salisbury, then became dean of students there in 2009 and soon after, at Bennett Middle School. He was promoted in 2014 to assistant principal, serving first at Wicomico High School, then in 2016 at James M. Bennett from where he graduated in 1989.

"He always had projects going on with youth as well as with adults," Bratton recalled.

Miles earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Bowie State University in 1993, then was a staff member in Baltimore City Public Schools. He participated in the Resident Teacher Program, taking education classes through the College of Notre Dame and Howard University. He earned an Administrator I endorsement through the University of Phoenix.

Bennett Principal Frederick Briggs recalled Miles' calm demeanor and commitment to the academic achievement and social development of students at the school he had attended.

“He was excited to return to his alma mater and loved working with all students to assist them in making good choices, both academically and socially," Briggs said Tuesday. "I am a better person for having had the opportunity to work alongside him."

Margo Handy, assistant superintendent of instruction for Wicomico schools, called Miles "an incredible man of faith, knowledge and leadership" always willing to go an extra mile.

"I will always remember the numerous talks we had about students, life, education and leadership," Handy said Tuesday.  "He would always say, ‘Doc, what can I do for you, and how can I make things better?’  I will miss him enormously.”

Miles' commitment to faith led to his earning a master's degree in divinity at Virginia Union University. About a decade ago, he stepped into the pulpit at St. Mary's Missionary Baptist — the more than century-old church off West Post Office Road founded by his great, great grandfather, Bratton said. He preached his last sermon there on Sunday, she said.

"It was a privilege to get that position," Bratton said. "St. Mary's has been in our family more than four generations. His calling was the ministry and working with people. It was his first assignment."

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