The Reverend Frank Ellis Niles was born on October 3, 1951, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, to the late Vernon and Iris Niles. He was the eighth born of eleven children. As a teenager, he attended Woodbrook Secondary, where he developed his love for woodworking. After high school, he attended John Donaldson Technical Institute.
In 1971, he traveled to England to continue his education and later migrated to the United States in November 1971 to pursue his education in architecture. By invitation from his childhood friend, Joseph “Joey” Carrington, he entered the doors of Emmanuel Deliverance Temple in 1974. He was greeted at the door by a smiling usher, the future love of his life, Evelyn J. Francis, whom he would marry on August 30, 1975. He returned later that week for a Saturday night youth meeting. That night, he accepted Christ as his savior, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and his life was never the same.
The love of Frank and Evelyn was indeed long-lasting: they shared forty-six incredible years as friends, prayer partners, and mighty warriors for the kingdom of God. In a time where the sanctity of marriage vows is taken lightly, they enjoyed forty-five years for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Together, they created a home environment that served as a haven for many. It was filled with the laughter of their seven children, the enjoyment of meals with loved ones, and the continuous sound of music, scripture, and prayer.
In 1983, Frank joined Sodikoff Contracting Company Inc., where he worked as a carpenter for over ten years. Due to his efficiency and quality of work, clients requested and recommended him for multiple jobs, whereby he built relationships with individuals and families across the tri-state area. He later established Niles Contracting and continued to provide the quality service that he became known for.
Although a general contractor by occupation, in 1996, Frank was able to join his trade experience with his passion for music as a paraprofessional for the Board of Education. In 1997, he became a permanent teacher at Queens School for Career Development, where he taught woodworking and played with the school band until he was no longer able to work.
Frank was not only a father to his full quiver of seven, but he raised many other sons and daughters through construction jobs, life lessons, and biblical principles. He showed young men what it meant to love their wives and children, and how to provide for their families. Likewise, he exhibited to young women an example of how a godly husband and father ought to live. Through his words and actions, he demonstrated how to love God and serve Him whole-heartedly, and the importance of loving one another.
Frank has served the body of Christ in the roles of intercessor, evangelist, preacher, teacher, treasurer, deacon, minister, elder, electrician, plumber, and the list goes on. Whether sanding and retiling a floor or fixing a roof, singing in the choir, or playing some instrument (piano, drums, bass, or bongos), he enjoyed every opportunity to use his time, talents, and possessions as unto the Lord. In his later years, he assisted, counseled, and covered young leaders in prayer as they began pastoring. He exemplified a fathering spirit by walking in the character and vocation of the call as outlined by Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11.
Despite health challenges, Frank never lost faith in God. He continued to “let (his) light so shine before men, that they may see (his) good works, and glorify (his) Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 KJV). He always worked and served without complaint. And every time he ended up in the hospital, his medical staff and visitors always left amazed and encouraged because he, in turn, would minister to them. He understood his purpose and embraced his ministry assignment, and he did it well.
The Reverend Frank Ellis Niles transitioned from labor to reward on Friday, October 23, 2020. Though preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Keith and Lyris, his late generals in the Gospel, including most recently his friend and pastor, Bishop Roberto Jemmott, he leaves to cherish his life and continue his legacy, his wife, Evelyn; children, Jacqueline and Matthew Johnson, Frank Jr. and Reshma Niles, Jeanette and Gaius Dowell, Joshua and Marquitta Niles, Jonathan and Khadija Niles, JoAnna Niles, Jessica and Johnathan Townsend Jr.; grandchildren: Nijah, Bryan, Karmella, Sakhar, Janell, Zymeer, Nathaniel, Joshua II, Latrell, Lynell, Arthur and David; siblings: Mabel and Austin Stephenson, Vernon Niles, Esme Phillips, Ivor and Sylvia Niles, Gloria Niles, Greta Niles, Anthony “Buggs” Niles and Wendy Niles; mother-in-love: Agatha Francis; siblings-in-love: Beatrice and Richard Harrison, Charles Francis, Bertlyn Springer, Gerard Francis, Deborah Francis, Derek Ross, Bertram Jr. and Julie Springer; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, grand nephews, and godchildren. Special mention, his nephews, Oliver W. D. Niles, Apostle Daren Frank Phillips, Stanley Fitzgerald Stephenson and Sharad A. Stephenson, and his nieces, Claire Phillips and Joanne Phillips Tenia; spiritual children: Michael and Rosalind Bruce, Valerie Carrington, Dwight Davis, Tracey Eaton, Aretha and George Gipson; Rodolfo and Carrie Richardson; his pastor, Overseer H. Aurelia Jemmott; all the saints he loved and served at Nazareth Christian Fellowship; Amelia Jones, Jacqueline Woodbine, and Nurse John from NJH; David of MJHS; Amanda, Emily, Crystal and the entire Bayada staff; Abra, Patricia, Sharon, Juah, and the management and staff of Goodwill Agency; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and dear friends.
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