Newspaper Clipping: Mrs. Ramey Kirkwood Reaches Century Mark · Greer Heritage Museum collection

Title

Newspaper Clipping: Mrs. Ramey Kirkwood Reaches Century Mark

Accession Number

2026.25.4

Accession Date

11 March 4

Accession Creator

Adrienne Fuehrer

Depositor

Found in collection

Description

Passage by R. S. Marvin that highlights the accomplishments of Viola and discusses her recent 100th birthday.

Format

paper that has been laminated

Storage Location

Box 11 Folder 3 (Viola Kirkwood)

Text

Mrs. Ramey Kirkwood Reaches Century Mark

By R. S. Marvin

February 22, 1969 marked a milestone in the life of one of Greer's finest ladies, Mrs. Ramey (Viola) Kirkwood of 109 Few Street, when she observed a once in a lifetime event. . . her 100th birthday. Friends called on her throughout the day, bringing flowers and gifts and Mrs. Kirkwood wore a lovely orchid from her youngest admirer, Mark Wilson, who celebrated his sixth birthday on the same date. Mrs. Kirkwood presented Mark with one of her own paintings.

Young in spirit and with a memory that recalls with vivid clarity the events throughout her life, Mrs. Kirkwood is a ready talker for eager ears. She related yarn after yarn of the days of her life, her triumphs in the world of art and music and of pleasanter days when Mr. Kirkwood was living.

She recalled the years she was a practicing optometrist in Abbeville and Greer, relating that she and Mr. Kirkwood, a jeweler, moved from Abbeville to Greer because the former had no roads or streets suitable for their automobile.

Friend For Years

One of the ladies present for the day with Mrs. Kirkwood has been a patient in Abbeville. Now 62, she recalled how Mrs. Kirkwood had straightened her crossed eyes. She has remained a friend through the years.

Born Viola Post in Iowa, Mrs. Kirkwood recalls how she used to help her father in his jewelry store, selling necklaces and bracelets for little girls. She practiced optometry for 38 years and still has instruments stored in the attic of her home. She has been a photographer and is noted as one of the best touch-up artists in the business. She still touches up negatives and quipped with The Citizen photographer that she wanted to touch up his negatives before he printed a picture of her.

Hanging throughout her modest home are paintings and a myriad of art work, all the products of her artful skill. She still paints and has been offered as much as $500 for one of her oils. She still keeps her own house and does her own cooking. A group of girls from her church, the First Presbyterian, comes in once a week to help her and friends drop by almost daily if to do no more than chat a while.

Makes Own Clothes

An adept seamstress, Mrs. Kirkwood sewed her first dress at the age of nine and has sewed all her clothes since that time. She has some of the most beautiful lacework found anywhere.

Birthday greetings received from President Richard Nixon last Thursday pleased Mrs. Kirkwood, reminding her of the day she first saw an airplane. It happened, Mrs. Kirkwood recalled, in New Orleans. "Mother and I were sitting on the steps of our home and we heard the plane before we saw it. It was following the street and just as it drew near, Father came tearing down the street to make sure we saw it. Theodore Roosevelt was in the plane."

A number of the women in her mother's family have lived into their 90's. She said, "I used to wonder if I might live to be 98. I enjoy living alone because I can get up when I'm ready, eat when I'm ready and go to bed when I'm ready." This is but one mark of the independence of this remarkable lady who has enjoyed a century of living.

A ready wit, Mrs. Kirkwood quips and fusses at newsmen and photographers, but underneath one senses she enjoys every minute of it, particularly receiving attention from her many young fans.

Relation

Dr. Viola Minnie Post Kirkwood