Linda Sue Miles

Linda Sue Smith passed away on March 3, 2026, peacefully at her home in St. George, Utah.

Linda was born on September 19, 1940, in Antlers, Oklahoma. Her birth father, Fred H. Smith, served in the Army, but Linda had no memories of him. Linda's mother remarried and had three younger children after the family moved to Bakersfield, California in 1942. Her stepfather was employed by farmers in the Bakersfield area. The children also helped with farm work where possible. The family lived in very poor conditions in housing provided by the farmers that included living in Army tents with only dirt floors and no indoor water. Linda always helped with the care of the three younger children (Peggy Ann, Carl Wayne, and Norma Joan Tomlinson). Linda was very close to her grandmother, who was Choctaw Indian.

Linda attended Shafter High School in California, and she was the first in her family to graduate from High School. Her brother, Carl, later became the first family member to graduate from college - thanks to GI financial help after serving in the U.S. Army, and he eventually became financially well-off with a large Bakersfield home in stark contrast to living in a tent when a child.

Linda excelled in Bookkeeping, Jr. Accounting, Office Manager, One-Girl office, Typing, and other secretarial chores. She later worked for the Assistant District Attorney in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield. She became the Efficiency Expert for several business offices in California. Linda was always willing to help anyone who needed her office skills. When computers replaced the older bookkeeping methods, Linda considered retiring, but instead she became efficient in the use of computer methods.

Linda is survived by three children from two previous marriages (Renee Lynn Padfield, Janine Michele Padfield and Terry Lane Dunford, Il).

Linda married a Research Scientist, Dr. Melvin H. Miles, on April 18, 1997. She typed more than 100 of his scientific publications from 1996 to 2023. She also prepared his many scientific presentations on Cold Fusion over many years that were given in various countries such as Italy, Japan, China, India, and the U.S. She also made video tapes of some of these meetings that are now of historical importance.

In addition to her many office skills, Linda was also an accomplished teacher/performer of Country and Ballroom dancing. Even her husband, with two left feet, typical for a scientist, eventually learned many different dances due to Linda's teaching.

In the 1990's, Linda was obviously one of the best Country Dancers in Bakersfield at the Rock 'n Rodeo and other dancing events. Linda also often performed with Country Dance Teams in the Bakersfield area during this period.

Linda later lived in various locations with her husband from 1997 to 2006 where he had visiting scientist appointments. This included Japan (1997), Tennessee (2001), Maine (2002), and LaVerne, California (2003-2006). They then moved back to Ridgecrest, California in 2006 and purchased a second home in Bakersfield, California (2009). In November 2017 they moved to St. George, Utah. Melvin passed just a few months before Linda in October of 2025.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of Linda and sign her online guestbook below.