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.