Widow Of Former Gov. Chiles Has Died

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - Surrounded by family at her Anna Maria Island home Rhea Chiles, the widow of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, died Sunday at the age of 84.

Then-Gov. Lawton Chiles died unexpectedly in 1998 of heart disease, a few weeks before his second term as governor was to end. Chiles served three terms in the U.S. Senate before he became governor.

Rhea Chiles accompanied Lawton Chiles during his entire 40-year political career.

She pushed for the creation of the Florida House in Washington D.C. which serves as a "state embassy" for Floridians. Rhea Chiles also founded the Lawton Chiles Foundation, which provides support and public awareness for children's programs.

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