Mrs. Lelia Jiles English was born on July 11, 1928 to the late Arthur and
Annie Jiles in Camden, Alabama. She had seven siblings: Willie Nixon,
Arthur Lee Jiles, Leroy Jiles, Thomas J. Jiles, Corneil Jiles, Lucille Jiles
Aaron, and Annie Mae Jiles Henderson, all of whom preceded her in death.
Lelia accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. Emanuel Church
in Camden, Alabama. Her family relocated to the Mobile area when she was
seven years old, and they united with the Morning Star Baptist Church.
Lelia attended Toulminville Elementary School and graduated from Josephine
B. Allen High School.
Lelia married Walter English, Jr. and to this union four children were born:
Verdell English Gettis, Gwendolyn English Davenporte, Walter L. English
(deceased) and Donald O. English.
After moving to North Mobile, Lelia united with the historic Stone Street
Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for over sixty years. She served as
President of the Missionary Society, Superintendent of the Sunday School,
and teacher for the Adult III Sunday School Class for many years. She was
also a member of the Floral Club and the Baptist Training Union (BTU), and
she chaired numerous committees and programs. In addition, Lelia served as
President of the Mobile Baptist Sunlight District Association Women’s
Auxiliary for twelve years. In recognition of her dedicated Christian Service
and anointed teaching, Lelia was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by
the Alabama Interdenominational Seminary. She shared that “My greatest joy
has been to do the work of Christ through His Church; therefore, all of my
involvement is church oriented.”
Lelia was the seamstress of choice for some of Mobile’s most prominent
residents for more than thirty years. The first half of her career, Lelia worked
as a seamstress for local department stores, including Hammel’s and Lillie
Rubin. On a leap of faith, Lelia later opened her own alteration shop in Bel
Air Mall. In so doing, she became the first African-American businesswoman
to open a business establishment in Bel Air Mall. She later owned and
operated Lelia’s Professional Alteration Shop on Sage Avenue and Dauphin
Street. Lelia retired in December 1996 and she credited her success to her
unwavering faith in God.
Lelia transitioned peacefully to eternal life on July 31, 2023. She leaves to
cherish her memory three children: Verdell Gettis of Little Elm, TX,
Gwendolyn (Henry) Davenporte of Atlanta, GA, and Donald (Sonja Bivins)
English of Mobile; three sisters in law: Annie Ruth (Andrew) Bailey of
Mobile, Catherine (George) Moody of Overland Park, KS, and Betty (David)
Ferguson of Douglasville, GA.; two brothers in law: Edward (Eloise) English
of Las Vegas, NV and Leonard (Brenda) English of Mobile; seven
grandchildren: Bryan Larry (Katrina) English, Marcus DeWayne English,
Angelo Demetrius (Jamie) English, John Kidd, Donna (Lamarr) Gullap, all of
Mobile, Dionne (Michael) Harris of Slidell, LA, and Daphnee (Anthony)
Hoskin of Little Elm, TX.; fourteen great- grandchildren, one great-great-
grandson, and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.