Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2017

PEOPLE
A TRIBUTE...
John Miner made an impact in Ocean Springs
Downtown Ocean Springs is well known as a quaint and original piece of the Coast, marked by boutique stores and locally-owned restaurants. Tree-lined Washington Avenue creates a welcome space for guests and locals alike, many of whom have made memories of their own in the colorful community.
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of the Miner family
On the west side of the street, it’s impossible not to notice the green building with the yellow door. With
its picturesque white picket fence, Miner’s Doll and Toy Store beckons guests of all ages to step inside. Just
as prominent as the building was
the man behind the name, Mr. John Miner. Miner was a fixture in the community and made an impact on the lives of those around him through his kindness and generosity.
“When I moved here 11 years ago, Mr. Miner and his wife Maryalice welcomed me immediately,” said Paige Riley, owner of Hillyer House and a family friend. “His kindness swept me away and made me feel like I was a part of his family. He was one of those rare people who knew how
to be a Southern gentleman, and I’m glad he was able to pass that down to following generations.”
Miner’s daughter, Merileigh Furr, says her father was an optimistic person who was passionate about his community and his family. “My dad loved people more than anything,” said Furr. “Losing him has been a sad time for us, but it’s also been a great opportunity to hear these wonderful stories about him. Since his passing, so many people have come into the store to tell me about the nice things he did for them.”
Whether he was working at the
toy store or running errands, Miner always took the time to smile at people and let them know he cared. “I recently heard from a woman who
delivered flowers to my mother while she was in the hospital a few years ago, and she spoke so highly of my dad. He treated everyone like they were someone incredibly special, and it’s so nice to see how that has affected people even years later,” Furr said.
Though Miner was known for his love for others, everyone knew that his first love was his wife of 70 years, Maryalice. “Their relationship was incredibly loving. My dad often said that the secret to a successful marriage was to simply be nice to each other and not to go messing around!” Furr said. “Their relationship truly was a loving one, and he spent his last hours holding her hand and telling her how much he loved her.”
34 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2017
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