Carrel Todd Liles

Carrel Todd Liles, a faithful servant of the Lord, 55, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. formerly of Greenup, Kentucky, came to the end of his short life’s journey at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving mother, family, and friends. Todd was born January 14, 1968, at King’s Daughters’ Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky, a son of Judith Ann Thornsbury Liles of Greenup, Kentucky, and the late Donald Liles. He was a 1982 graduate of Greenup County High School where he was actively involved in band and the choir department.

Upon graduation from high school, he was awarded numerous scholarships to attend Morehead State University and studied percussion under Frank Oddis. While attending Morehead State he performed in many of the University ensembles. Upon graduation from Morehead State University, he was awarded numerous scholarships to attend the University of Texas at El Paso to work towards a master’s degree in music. His talent and love for music allowed him to travel around the United States. Todd was a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist for many years performing in many Operas and Ballets. In 1996 and 2000 the El Paso Symphony Orchestra performed with Maestro Gurer Aykal, Turkish conductor and professor at Bilkent University and conductor of the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted many musical tours in Turkey and Germany. The performances were held at many of the ancient libraries, including the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, coliseums in Istanbul, Turkey, and throughout Turkey, and Germany. Todd taught in the El Paso public school districts and later moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he continued to teach music at EJ Martinez Elementary Schools. Where he loved many students, teachers, staff, and they loved him and respected him. From 2017 to 2023 Todd was the EJ Martinez Elementary School Music Director. While living and teaching in Santa Fe, Todd also performed with the High Desert Winds Ensemble, Concordia Ensemble and Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus group in the world. Todd was a member of the Greenup Christian Church in Greenup, Kentucky, and a dedicated member of the Vista Del Sol Baptist in El Paso, Texas.

In addition to his loving mother, he is survived by a brother Andrew (Beth) Liles of Mt Airy, North Carolina; a special uncle Bill Thornsbury; an aunt Suzie Carter; a special cousin Attorney Anne Liles O’Hara; a special friend Sheila Lenarz; nephews, nieces, many cousins, and an unaccountable amount of friends throughout the world.

Graveside rites will be conducted at 11:00 am, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Brick Union Cemetery in Lloyd, Kentucky, by Rev. Jack Edwards. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm Wednesday at Reed Funeral Home in Greenup. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made to EJ Martinez Public School, 401 West San Mateo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505. Condolences may be made at www.rlrfuneralhome.com.