Doris Beatrice (Patrucio) Miles

Doris Beatrice Patrucio, affectionately known as Peanut, was born February 28, 1932 in Tamo, Arkansas. She was the oldest daughter of farmer Cyrus and Hazel Bitely. She was the sister to Beyrl Bitely deceased and Barbara Bitely Holley, deceased.  Doris transitioned on August 24, 2023.

Doris met Billie Howard Miles and started dating after Billie’s Mom warned him that if he didn’t ask her out, they would for him. Their first date was in the winter in a convertible car that he had built out of airplane parts. Billie gave Doris a blanket, and she held on for the ride.

After Billie joined the United States Air Force, he was based in Arizona. He later wrote Doris and asked her to come out. She packed up and bought a bus ticket. Before she left, her Dad gave her $20 and said “If you get out there and he doesn’t want you, here’s something to come home on”.  She stayed.

Doris married Billie in Tucson, Arizona on April 8, 1953. They were married for 69 ½ years. To this union, they had two children: daughter Rhonda “Toot” Miles (husband Bob Hilpert) and son Kevin “Ked” Miles, deceased. Their grandsons are Jacob Aaron Miles, deceased, and Jeremy Miles Hubbell (wife Jamie). Their great grandchildren are Jacey Hubbell and Jaden Hubbell.

They returned to Arkansas from Arizona in the mid-1950s. Doris started working at the Telephone Company as an operator. In 1978 Billie bought the Ag-Air operation in Grady, Arkansas and renamed it Dirty Bird, Inc. Doris ran the office, along with her son Keven who eventually became the mechanic and her daughter Rhonda who worked there for a few years. Doris aided in Billie’s success.

In her later years, Doris and Billy moved to Tennessee with their very accomplished aviator daughter, Rhonda, and her husband, who all share a love for aviation.  

Doris and Billie were known as 'good Samaritans', always eager to help those in need, whether they knew them or not. They extended their generosity widely, adopting individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as a bicyclist from the Netherlands they met on the interstate, people from Siberia, pilots from England and South Africa, just to name a few. She made chicken spaghetti and wonderful pies for those who were sick. Their primary motivation was to see people thrive in every aspect of life, but their greatest impact was through their unwavering faith and love for God.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Beatrice (Patrucio) Miles, please visit our floral store.