Minnie Ellen (Graham) Zachary was born in Oregon, Missouri on November 7, 1926 to Eva (Dinwiddie) and Ernest Floyd “Jack” Graham. Minnie grew up in Oregon and graduated from Oregon High School in 1944, where she was in volleyball and a drum major for the band. She was also a finalist in the Apple Blossom Queen contest.
After graduation she worked for the Division of Family Services in Mound City, Mo. One day near the end of June 1945 she was looking out her office window and saw a good-looking young man with a white cowboy hat. She then turned to her boss and asked who that young man was and if he was single. Her boss, Eva Zachary, told her he was her son Max, and yes, he was single. Three weeks later, on July 22, 1945 Minnie and Max were married.
Max and Minnie were married for 11 years and had given up hope of having children when they finally had a daughter, Stephanie Eva Zachary.
After a few years at home with their daughter Steph, Minnie became the secretary to the superintendent of Holt County R-II School. She would enjoy this job for 28 years until her retirement.
She loved her grandsons, Keith Zachary Miller and Kurt Phillip Miller, and would always make their birthday cakes. Later she enjoyed her six great grandchildren.
Minnie attended high school football and basketball games whenever she could. She enjoyed golf, bowling, and Eastern Star. Minnie loved life, dancing, family, friends, Big Lake, a glass of wine on the pontoon boat, and an occasional trip to the casino.
For her 80th birthday Minnie bought her first car, a Grabber Orange Mustang convertible. She was seen several times going down the interstate full blast with the top down.
Minnie passed away on March 23, 2024 at Tiffany Care in Mound City. She was preceded in death by her husband Max, who died June 24, 1996, one month shy of their 51st anniversary; grandson, Clint Wilmes; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Helen and Wayne Atkins; and Max’s sister, Ellen Chitwood.
Survivors include her daughter, Steph Miller-McCann and son-in-law, Rich McCann; grandsons, Keith (Jennifer) Miller and Kurt (Tammy) Miller; great grandchildren, Kailey, Ty, Levi, Leah, and Lily Miller; two step grandchidren, Chris (Nick) Eickhoff and Scott (Ryonne) McCann; six step great grandchildren; nine step great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and friends.
Graveside services and interment: Thursday, March 28th, 2024, 10:00 am, Mount Hope Cemetery, Mound City, Mo. Memorials: Holt County Toy Fund and the Holt County Cancer Fund.
