Return to the Land

thought these two physical features set him apart and I also thought he was a special person that had qualities that ordinary folks didn’t possess. I certainly revered him. He and Grandmother were loved by all of the grandchildren. Bethel Ramsey Brodie, a granddaughter, lived with them for a while when Bethel’s father died prematurely. Bethel relates the memory that Grandmother made her feel special particularly in the kitchen where she would slip her extra sweets and sugar cookies. Grandmother had a special gift for making each grandchild feel unique and wanted. When I interviewed the living grandchildren they all remembered stories and special circumstances that gave them warm feelings about those two extraordinary people.

John Harvey and Minnie Catherine Wright Miller at their home on Kimberling on their 50 th Wedding Anniversary in 1942

After a full life and while still actively farming John Harvey Miller died on April 27, 1946. He suffered a stroke (cerebral vascular accident) early in the week and lived for a few days paralyzed and then died of pneumonia. He was attended by the young Dr. George Kegley who came to the home on Kimberling and did what he could to make him comfortable. On the Sunday before some of his children and grandchildren spent the afternoon with him for the last time. This was the first funeral I had ever attended. Being 9 years old it was a mysterious experience for me.

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