Miriam Kies

Miriam Jane Kies, 94, formerly of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

One of five children, she was born Jan. 21, 1921, in Jackson, to Adolph and Grace Vinyard Kies.

She was a 1939 graduate of Jackson High School, where she was active in concert band, marching band, chorus, drama and was voted Miss Jackson. She then attended Southeast Missouri State University and the former St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis. She worked several years as a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital. Upon returning to Jackson, she was an avid lover of gardening and animals, and especially enjoyed raising Scottish terriers.

Miriam was a lifelong active member of First Baptist Church in Jackson. She always had a genuine concern for small children, and in early years she taught Sunday school in the cradle roll and the Junior Department. In later years, she and her late sister, Virginia, devoted their time to decorating the church, serving in that capacity for many years.

Loving survivors include a sister, Sue Horne of Jacksonville; nine nieces and nephews, William E. "Bill" (Kathy) Horne Jr., Cynthia S. Horne and Robert Bruce Horne, all of Jacksonville, Dr. Richard L. (Becky) Kies of Cape Girardeau, Jane Kies of Seattle, Judy (Dave) Junk of Lenexa, Kansas, Fred (Reene) Abbott of Colfax, California, Bruce (Dawn) Abbott and Judy (Fred) Bailard, all of Woodland, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings, Virginia Kies, Dr. Vinyard L. Kies and Harriett Abbott; and a niece, Debbie Abbott.

Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Don Estes officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church of Jackson; Small Paw Rescue, 3316 S. 72nd West Ave., Tulsa, OK 74107; or Jack Van Impe Ministries International, P.O. Box 7004, Troy, MI 48007-7004.

On Sept. 24, 2015, Miriam was privately interred next to her parents and late sister, Virginia, at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.