NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- Mary Miller, 98, is full of love for her family and keeps a positive outlook on life while still feeling good for her age.

“I always feel good," Miller said. "Some days are better. I've been truly blessed, and some days, I feel like I'm 198, but not many of them. Not many of them. So I'm doing okay,"

Miller is a lifelong resident of New Iberia. Miller's husband, also from New Iberia, were friends before they said I do.

“He called and asked me if I was busy for a date," Miller said. "I asked him; I said, well, do you want the truth, or do you want me to lie? He said, 'Tell the truth.' I said, 'No, I don't have a date.'.”

Miller's husband passed away just before their 50th anniversary. They both spent their lives working in education as teachers.

They raised three children together.

“Two boys and a girl,” Miller said.

Her husband served in the Navy during World War II.

“He was in the military before I met him," Mary said. 

They have a grandson who followed in his grandfather's footsteps by joining the Navy.

“He spent nine years in the Navy," Miller said. "The last station was in Hawaii.”

The family flew to Hawaii in 2017 and brought the flag from her brother's World War II memorial.

“They were allowing people to go on Arizona and Missouri," Miller said. "They took the flag with them, and my grandson was able to have the flag flown over those two ships.”

Family is at the heart of the Millers' story. She is one of eight children.

"My sister was the baby of the family," Miller said. "She was nine years younger than I, and my baby brother was three years younger than me. Of course, I consider them my babies because they were so much younger." 

Mary's key to living a fulfilling life is to always look for the silver lining.

"I try to stay on the bright side of things," Miller said. "I can be a pessimist now, but I try to stay on the bright side."

Miller finds solace and purpose in a small church she joined. At one point, the church was seeking volunteers for altar service.

“I met a wonderful little lady who was a member and in charge of things," Miller said. "So, I joined the Altar Society with her. She was a wonderful, wonderful person. She still is a wonderful person."

Miller dedicated 28 years to volunteering at places such as a local hospital until COVID-19.  

When it comes to lessons over time, Miller has learned to let her family and friends know she loves them. 

“You don’t have to speak to them any length of time," Miller said. "Just say I’m checking up on you, and I love you."

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