Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
February 1, 1973

Ollie "Posy" MILLER, oldest member of the Clearview family, celebrated her 97th of 98th birthday on either the 26th or the 27th of January; she isn't sure.

But she is sure that she was the second charter member of the Clearview [nursing home] family to select a room; she has been a resident of the home since it opened in 1963. Since she is short of stature - 4 feet 9 inches - her clothes closet was made especially for her.

Born in Little Rock, Ark., Posy tells the story of being carried on horseback by her grandmother for two days following the death of her mother. She was married to Jim MILLER and after moving from the farm, she and her husband operated a cafe in Redding for many years.

As chief cook, Posy was in charge of preparing food and drink and she recalls that there were no bottle drinks at that time so she had to mix the colas and other soft drinks. Prices in those days were low by today's standards and when the price of hamburgers went from a nickle to a dime, Posy says she thought she would become a millionaire.

Asked about her unusual nickname, Posy said it was given her by Jack HOOVER, who was playing football with a group of youngsters near her cafe one day. The ball went into her flower bed and she remarked, "You've broken my posies." Young HOOVER scooped up the football and said, "Folks, I want you to meet Posy MILLER." And Posy it's been ever since.

Even though Posy is short of stature, she is long on spirit and wit. She says if she had her life to live over again, and she had her husband and mother-in-law, whom friends remember as Grandma MOLOR, she would do exactly the same thing.

NOTE: Ollie "Posy" (MIMS) MILLER was born in 1877, and died in 1974. She was interred at Redding Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2009