Mr. John W. Giles, age 71, of Luverne, Alabama died peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at his home. Funeral Mass services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Holy Spirit. Prayer services will be held 30 minutes prior to Mass. Services will be officiated by Father James Dean and directed by Dunklin Funeral Home.

JOHN WALLER GILES

September 27, 1954 - January 17, 2026

Born in Orlando, FL, John was the second son of William Ollie Giles, Sr. and Mary Ella Waller Giles, brother William Ollie Giles, Jr, and son Micah Worthington Giles, all who proceeded him in death.

John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deborah Woodley Giles; children Zaviera Mendenhall Giles George (David George) of Mathews, AL, and Stephen Chadwick Giles (Melisa Quattlebaum Giles) of Eagle Mountain, Utah; twelve (12) Grandchildren Kendall Grace George Leoffler (Joe Leoffler), Rebekah Faith George, Elizabeth Hope George, Deborah Joy George, Seth David George, Anna Mercy George, Luke Stephen George, Oliver Simon George, Vivian Noble George, Victoria Elaine Giles, Felicity Marie Giles, and Carolina Bell Giles; two (2) Great Grandchildren Peter Joseph Leoffler and Maximilian George Leoffler; his sister, Caroline Giles Mixon (Delano Mixon) of Gainesville, GA, and brother Ted Wynn Giles (Donna Giles) of Birmingham, AL; nieces and nephews William Ollie (Trey) Giles III (Monica Duke Giles) and Allison Elizabeth Giles Lefeve (John Lefeve) of Guntersville, AL, Heather Perry McGee (Ross McGee) of Flowery Branch, GA, and Wynn Giles, Jr. (Alexis) of Birmingham, AL; and his Mother-in-law Ruth Woodley.

John was a lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama, and Honoraville, AL. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, AL. John was in the family business, Giles Enterprises, Inc. of Montgomery, AL, for the first part of his career. He founded Peaches n' Clean, a carpet cleaning business still in business today. He then entered public life. He ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1994, served as the Small Business Advocate for the State of Alabama and Chief of Existing Business Industry Services under Governor Guy Hunt, and served as the Appointment Secretary for Governor Fob James. He then served as the President of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. In that role, he developed a voting "report card" for Alabama State House and Senate Legislators so constituents would know the voting records of their elected officials. He was a regular article contributor to the Alabama Gazette. He currently worked for First Citizens Bank of Luverne, AL.

His journey of faith led him to conversion to the Roman Catholic Church in 2004. He was a staunch advocate of the unborn. He served as the Chairman of the Choose Life License Plates for the State of Alabama.

John was bigger than life. He loved laughter. He was bold. He shared his faith and his time with all who called on him. His family is a testament to the love he had for his Sovereign God. John would not want you to look back and say, "what if." Instead, he would say, "be bold, love and cherish each other."

John adored his wife Deborah, was so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and loved lending a helping hand to anyone who needed his help. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.