Mildred Harriett Griffiths Stiles Alexander

GRIFFITHS, STILES, ALEXANDER, TINGLE, MILLER, JOHNSON, PHILLIPS, TUSHNET

Posted By: Conni McDaniel Hall (email)
Date: 6/20/2014 at 10:43:27

Mildred Harriett (Griffiths) Stiles Alexander, 102, died on June 15, 1914 simply because she got tired and it was time to go home. She was born to John and Blodwen Griffiths on April 26, 1912 in Hiteman, Iowa. Mildred lived most of her life in Chariton, IA although for a brief time in Des Moines and later in life in Pleasant Hill.

At the age of 12, Mildred was baptized into the Community of Christ Church and remained a lifelong and faithful member. In her later years she attended the Central Congregation in Des Moines although her membership has always been in Chariton. She has a deep faith in God and a gift for sharing beautiful prayers. She began and closed each day with prayer throughout her life.

Mildred attended Chariton High School, graduating in 1930. Upon graduation she worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines. Company policy would not allow married women to work so when she married Raymond W Stiles on July 4, 1931 they kept the marriage a secret until her mother found the marriage certificate hiding under the mattress.

In 1933 Mildred had one daughter, Dianne. The family lived on Crocker Street in Des Moines until 1950 when they moved back to Chariton where Ray accepted a sales position with Hy-Vee and Mildred worked in the Hy-Vee offices. They were very active in their church and volunteering throughout the community. After retiring the couple spent time on the golf course, playing cards and traveling with favorite destinations of Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and South America as members of mission trips.

After 48 years of marriage, Ray died in 1979. Mildred became even more involved in the community as a volunteer. She was a Senior Center volunteer for over 25 years, a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Board for 2 yeas and a member of the Area Agency Board on Aging (AAA) for 19 years. Mildred received the Governor's Award for volunteer service.

On January 1, 1984 Mildred and James (Neil) Alexander were married and continued living in Chariton for 22 years until Neil's death in 2006. This marriage added three new daughters to the family - Carol, Helen and Elizabeth.

At the young age of 85 Mildred was curious about the new business that replaced a favorite dress shop and upon inspection discovered a new hobby - weight lifting! She joined Carol's Gym where she found it quite fun to spend 3 days per week lifting free weights to stay in shape.

In 2008 Mildred moved to Pleasant Hill, IA to be closer to her daughter Dianne and her grandchildren. Mildred voluntarily gave up her driver's license on her 101st birthday and until her 102nd year Mildred lived independently.

Mildred's death was the end of an era. She experienced the loss of many she loved including husband, Raymond Stiles; husband, Neil Alexander; daughter, Dianne Tingle; and siblings Tudor Griffiths, John Griffiths and Margaret Johnson.

From her marriage to Raymond, Mildred is survived by her grandchildren Sheila Miller, Sheri Tingle (Brent Bennett) and Bryan Tingle along with great and great-great grandchildren.

From her marriage to Neil, Mildred is survived by her step-daughters Carol Phillips Alexander (Dean Phillips), Helen Alexander and Elizabeth Alexander (Mark Tushnet) along with grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren.

Mildred had a great love to share and for her entire life she took care of her family. There will never really be another card game exactly the same as a game played with Mildred and that is only one of the reasons her friends and family will miss her dearly. Rest in peace Mildred until we all meet again.

~Written by Sheri Tingle, granddaughter~

Celebration Service, Thursday, June 19,2014, Community of Christ Church, Central Congregation, 1645 Pennsylvania Avenue, Des Moines, IA.

Graveside service (same day) at the Chariton Cemetery, Chariton, Iowa.