Rhea Chiles, ‘First Lady’ of AMI, dies at 84
Former Florida first lady Rhea Grafton Chiles, 84, died Nov. 8 at her home on Anna Maria Island.
Mrs. Chiles was wife and first lady to the late Lawton Chiles, who was Florida governor, U.S. senator and state legislator. She also was an artist, advocate for children and wellness programs, businesswoman and the mother of four children — Tandy, Lawton “Bud” III, Rhea and Ed.
“Today is a profoundly sad but joyous day as we gather as a family to celebrate and mourn the life and death of our mom, Rhea Chiles,” Bud Chiles, wrote in a statement released Nov. 8.
Mrs. Chiles had been attended by hospice and she died at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, surrounded by family. Her son wrote, “While she faced health challenges over the last several years, up until the past three to four months she continued to do the things she loved best — enjoying family and friends, painting and encouraging others.”
He continued, “She embraced life fully, right up until the end. Now she will join Dad in God’s protective embrace, and for that, we are grateful and joyous.”
Mrs. Chiles was born Dec. 1, 1930, to Philip and May Grafton of Pittsburgh. After the family moved to Florida, Mrs. Chiles attended school in Dade County.
She also attended the University of Florida, where she worked on the student newspaper, and was president of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
She met Lawton at the university in 1948 and they married in Lakeland Jan. 25, 1951. They shared a partnership in life and politics for more than 47 years, until Lawton Chiles’ death Dec. 12, 1998.
Lawton Chiles served in the state Legislature until 1969, in the U.S. Senate 1979-1989 and was Florida governor 1991-1998.
Bud Chiles said his parents were equal partners in leaving a wonderful legacy. “From the first campaign in 1958 for the state Legislature where they knocked on doors to win an election to the Walkin’ Lawton Campaign for U.S. Senate and all the way to the governor’s mansion.”
He said his dad called his mother “the best political sounding board that I have.” Mrs. Chiles is credited with the idea of her husband walking from Jay to Key West in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement honoring and remembering Mrs. Chiles. It read, in part, “Rhea leaves behind a profound legacy of service and commitment to her family, community and state and our thoughts and prayers are with the Chiles family during this time of loss.
“May she always be remembered for the tremendous impact she made on so many Floridians.”
In Washington, D.C., Mrs. Chiles spearheaded the creation of the Florida House on Capitol Hill.
As first lady, Mrs. Chiles championed many causes, including upgrading the technological resources of the governor’s office, making the first inventory of the furnishing sin the governor’s mansion and, most notably, the anti-tobacco initiative aimed at curbing smoking among young people.
After the governor died, Mrs. Chiles continued to focus on youth and health initiatives, founding the Lawton Chiles Foundation.
She also established herself on Anna Maria Island, at home in Holmes Beach. She also opened and managed The Studio at Gulf and Pine in Anna Maria.
At the studio, Mrs. Chiles exhibited a number of artists of local reputation and international renown. The studio exhibited the works of many artists, but it became a place that mirrored the former first lady — a refined and sophisticated space where people gathered to celebrate art and culture, promote and preserve community and the environment and share ideas.
She also supported the arts in Lakeland, where she was a founder of the Polk County Museum of Art.
In January 2010, The Islander newspaper honored Mrs. Chiles and son Ed with its annual Islander of the Year Award for 2009, praising the generosity and vision of both islanders. “Rhea and Ed Chiles: Formidable. Enlightening. Generous. Passionate,” publisher Bonner Joy wrote.
A service will be Monday Nov. 16, at Faith Presbyterian in Tallahassee. Memorial donations may be made to the Lawton Chiles Foundation, 12008 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee FL 32309.
She is survived by her four children, grandchildren Joe Lawton Barrett, Tandy Bondi, Lawton IV, Katie Chiles Ottenweller, Geoffrey, Ashley, Cristin, Lexi McKinnon, Mack McKinnon and Ansley McKinnon and three great-grandchildren.
Martha P. Kouns
Martha P. Kouns, 77, formerly of Anna Maria Island, died Sept. 7.
She was a mail carrier and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2008.
She enjoyed traveling, her grandchildren, sunsets and she was an avid reader.
A celebration of life will be held 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at D.Coy Ducks Tavern in Holmes Beach.
She is survived by son Todd and wife Sherri; their children, Holly, Heather Kouns and Savannah Faircloth; daughter Mandi Nye and husband John; and their children, Haley and Jacob.
Michael Hatcher Patterson
Michael Hatcher Patterson, 71, of Holmes Beach, died Nov. 4. He was born March 3, 1944, in Tampa to the late Daniel “Pat” and Evelyn Patterson.
He graduated from Hillsborough High School and the University of Florida School of Architecture 1969. He was director of facilities planning at USF and director of design and construction at Georgia Tech.
A celebration of life was held Nov. 8at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.
Memorial donations may be made to USF Byrd Health Alzheimer’s Institute, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC70, Tampa FL 33612; and Southeastern Guide Dogs 4210 77th St. East, Palmetto FL 34221.
Survivors include wife Rose Mary; sons Scott and wife Chris, Brett and wife Mary, James and Michael Jr. and wife Lindsey; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother Dan Patterson and wife Paula, sister Gail Enlow and husband Tom, and his dogs Ruggs and Sydney.
Relda Mae Curran Wilson
Relda Mae Curran Wilson, 96, of Bradenton, died Oct. 30.
She was born in Homestead Park, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1919, to Anna Pearle and John Curran.
She attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She was an accomplished violinist and medaled in rifle marksmanship.
She has been a resident of Bradenton since 1948. She and her late husband, Robert E., lived in Holmes Beach for 10 years. She was active in St. Joseph Parish, St. Bernard Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Parish. The Wilsons were among the founding families of St. Joseph Catholic School and Mrs. Wilson spearheaded the building drive for the current St. Joseph Church. She served as parish administrator for St. Joseph Parish Church and School for 20 years. She was active in the parents’ councils for St. Joseph School and Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota. She volunteered on Grandparents Day at Anna Maria Elementary School. She served as president of the Diocese of St. Petersburg Council of Catholic Women and had a leadership role in the National Council of Catholic Women, including a pilgrimage to Bogotá, Columbia.
A Mass was offered Nov. 5 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Condolences may be made online to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
She is survived by children Patrick C. and wife Mona of Lake Worth, Mary C. of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Timothy R. of Denton, Texas, Michael and wife Janice of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary Ann Wilson Burch and husband Al Hostetler of Bradenton, and Joseph Burch of Bradenton; nieces Deborah Curran and husband Harry Saxe of Dublin, Ohio, and Jennifer Curran and husband Jeff of Kennesaw, Georgia; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as two great-nephews and one great-niece.