Glennie Withers Ziller

Glennie Withers Ziller passed away peacefully May 16, 2024, at the age of 101. Born to John Washington Withers and Clara Robinson Withers on a farm in Clarkdale, MS. Glennie was a country girl who loved God and her family in that order. She is preceded in death by her nine siblings and her husband, John D. Ziller, Sr., and her step-son, John D. Ziller, Jr., She grew up in Meridian and attended Meridian Public Schools.

While working in the advertising department of the Meridian Star, she met her future husband, recently returned from WW2 and owner of Ziller Advertising. He was eager to meet the former Miss Meridian he had read about in the local newspaper sent overseas. Nevertheless, she moved to Dallas Texas, where she found her next job at Neiman Marcus department store as a “walker” modeling clothes. Though she enjoyed Dallas and city life, John persuaded her to return home to Meridian and they were married in 1948. A homemaker by choice and talent, she led Girl Scout troops, taught Sunday school, hosted elaborate birthday parties, chaperoned field trips, and chauffeured her four daughters between dance, music, and tennis practices, all while keeping an immaculate home with beautiful grounds. She later worked for several years at Ziller advertising. When salesmen complained business was slow, Glennie volunteered to go on sales calls with them. They would return with many signed contracts and claimed they had never worked so hard in their lives. Upon her husband’s death in 1979, Glennie became the owner/operator of Four Fountains Properties, a role she ably fulfilled until well into her nineties. A child of the Great Depression, she was both a hard worker and a perfectly gracious southern lady.

As her daughters grew up and left home, Glennie worked on the Meridian Beautification program while taking classes at Meridian Community College. Glennie was a generous friend to all in need. Teenagers from the Masonic Home joined the family outings, and if you were sick in any way, she delivered a quart of orange juice because she believed it cured everything. Volunteering at Love’s Kitchen was a favorite activity, where she made many new friends.

Glennie loved hosting her grandchildren during summer and Easter visits in her home, where she introduced them to Southern culture through food, church services, long walks, and afternoons spent talking in her backyard swing. She also loved traveling with them to Wyoming, where she rode horses in her 80’s, and to the Bahama’s where she loved fishing with them, and walking the beaches. She was always up for an adventure.  At 101 years of age, Glennie’s life was a bookend for the 20th and 21st centuries’ major events. She could recount memories of the 1930s bread lines and World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, hurricane Katrina, and health crises including polio and the COVID 19 pandemic. And while most centenarians are remembered for healthy diets and exercise, she always ate dessert first, preferred air conditioning and tended her roses in the evenings.

What sustained her was an unwavering Christian faith and belief in God’s love, grace, and mercy. Family and faith were her lodestars. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Meridian and believed its long-time pastor, Dr. Beverly Tinnin, was the finest example of a Christian that ever lived, along with Reverend Billy Graham. Her life was a living example of her favorite parable of the mustard seed: the belief that faith can move mountains and small acts of kindness can have great impact.

She is lovingly remembered by her four daughters, Claire Ziller, Noel Ziller Smith (Tim), Lilibet Ziller Hagel (Chuck), and Babi Ziller; her five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many loved nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren.

Two dear people deserve special recognition, Kay White Severance and Abraham Johnson, who came into Glennie’s life as employees and quickly became beloved friends and later caregivers. Their unwavering loyalty, support and affection sustained her through many years; their contributions to her happiness and well-being are immeasurable. The family extends to them their tremendous appreciation and gratitude.  Also deserving recognition and appreciation are Grady Coleman and Beverly Hudnall, who provided support, advice, and friendship to her for many, many years.  The family would also like to acknowledge and thank a circle of very special caregivers, her “angels on earth,” Deborah Ramsey, Lessie Jones, Carolyn Phillips, Carolyn McCoy, and Elanda Griggs. They enhanced the quality of her days with their love and laughter.

A private burial will be held at Stinson Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Should a memorial contribution be desired, the family suggests they be made to the local Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyus.org or Hope Village for Children at www.hopevillagems.org

Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant.”