Mildred D. Anthony

Columbiana

Mildred D. Anthony, born Mildred Dora O’Kelley on March 7, 1919, died Feb. 16, 2012. She grew up literally dirt poor in rural Franklin County during the Great Depression. Her parents were George and Whittie O’Kelley. She had five siblings, Gertrude, Lois, Guy, Grant and Hugh. Guy was lost in WWII. Ever since then, she was strongly opposed to all wars. She left for the big city (Birmingham) alone at age 20 and made her own life for herself before marrying in 1944 to Aulton Vincent Smith. After WWII, she had two children, Andi Curtiss and Aulton Craig Smith. When her husband died in 1964, she went to nursing school and worked nights to support them. In 1969, she remarried, to George Anthony, but continued working until she retired in 1984. After retirement, she spent much of her time looking after her great-grandsons, Dillan Dorriety and Eric Dorriety, the sons of her grandson, Guy Dorriety and his wife, Eyan Dorriety.

She had many friends, all of whom knew her as kind, generous and hard working. Hers was sometimes a difficult life, but if there was a lesson there, it was: Always persevere, do what needs to be done, don’t complain and never give up.

The funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at 4 p.m. at Bolton Funeral Home in Columbiana. Family will receive visitors from 2-4 p.m. before the funeral. Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com.