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The Celebration of Life service for Mr. Mark Anthony Myles will be available via livestream for those unable to attend in person. Your presence, whether in person or in spirit, is deeply appreciated by the family during this time of remembrance. To access the livestream please click Celebration for Mr. Mark Anthony Myles.
Mark Anthony Myles, a beloved son, father, brother, servant leader, peacemaker, entrepreneur, artist, and fierce advocate for justice, passed away tragically on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Selma, Alabama. He was 43 years old.
Born on September 25, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, Mark was the son of China Alexander and the late Norman Roberson. From an early age, he was shaped by a strong foundation of faith instilled by his mother, a faith that would become central to his life’s purpose. Though Mark experienced challenges in his youth, he transformed those experiences into fuel for service, dedicating his life to ensuring that cycles of harm did not continue for others. His life stood as a testament to redemption, growth, and the power of grace.
Mark’s greatest joy was his son. His devotion to family extended naturally into his commitment to creating a peaceful, just world where all children could prosper and live fully into their purpose. His passion for youth and restorative justice was unparalleled, and he was widely recognized as a true servant leader.
A gifted and visionary community organizer, Mark’s work reached far beyond Selma. He helped lead the Fight for $15 in Birmingham, advocating for living wages and economic dignity. He worked on numerous political campaigns, held a profound belief in democracy, and gave his energy relentlessly to civic engagement. Mark loved Selma deeply. In Selma, he ensured that every voice mattered by leading the largest community survey ever conducted in the city, capturing residents’ concerns and collective vision while keeping them actively engaged in building a better Selma. He also brought together artists from across the city to create the powerful anthem Better Selma, a reflection of his belief in the power of art to transform the community. As an artist, he was a poet of rare depth, using words to heal wounds, challenge injustice, and imagine a better world. At the time of his passing, he was in the process of creating a documentary about community violence—Reeducation of a Miseducated Generation. A creative and serial entrepreneur, Mark was also pursuing ventures that reflected his expansive vision, including a cologne and perfume company, a podcast, and fashion and shoe design company.
Mark served as the Director of Community Organizing and Restorative Justice for the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth & Reconciliation (SCNTR). In this role, he led transformative efforts to build restorative cultures in schools, courts, and communities. Deeply committed to restorative circle processes, Mark believed in grounding justice in shared values and compassionate accountability. Under his leadership, RB Hudson experienced nearly a 40% reduction in suspensions and expulsions, along with more than a 50% reduction in juvenile court referrals. Whether training others in nonviolence, supporting survivors of gun violence, or walking alongside justice-involved individuals, Mark’s life profoundly impacted countless youth and adults in Selma and across the country.
Mark’s faith anchored his life. He joined Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized as a young adult, and received his license to preach on January 29, 2012, under the leadership of the late Rev. F.D. Reese. The Sunday before his passing, Mark rededicated his life to Christ and joined the Church of the Demonstration, reaffirming his spiritual commitment and calling.
Mark was pure light in the midst of darkness. He understood deeply that darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. While it may be tempting to believe that darkness prevailed on the day of his tragic death, Mark had already done his part. The continuation of his light now rests in how we choose to live, love, and serve.
Mark Anthony Myles was preceded in death by his father, Norman Roberson, and by his grandparents, John and Rosie Myles. He leaves to cherish his precious memories and enduring legacy his beloved son, Zaquan Myles; his mother, China Alexander; his sister, Tameka Myles; his brother, Justin Ravizee; his special friend, La’Qundra Crittenden; and a vast community of friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were forever changed by his presence.
Mark’s life was a blessing, his work a blueprint, and his legacy a call to continue building the just, loving, and restorative world he envisioned.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00AM from the Selma High School Auditorium. Burial will follow in New Live Oak Cemetery with Aubrey Larkin's Lewis Brothers Funeral Home of Selma serving with excellence through professional service. Mr. Myles will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral hour at the auditorium.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.