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Mrs. Lillie turns 83

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Staff

A Thousand Words
By Jock Lauterer


So what do you give the last of the Franklin Street Flower Ladies on her 83rd birthday? Why, a bouquet of new friends, of course. When Lillie Mozelle Pratt turned 83 on May 16, I brought my summer school photojournalism students downtown to meet my venerable friend. Lillie, who’s been selling Chapel Hillians her homegrown flowers since s the ‘60s, told my kids, “I ain’t no quitter. I’m a survivor. I’ll be here till the Lord calls me home.” And after introductions, many more photos and some hugs, she told them, “Now, all you are my children too!” Then “Mrs. Pratt” posed for her birthday portrait along with her new friends, (front row, left to right), Chris Lane, Katie Bailey, Ryan Davis, Bryce Butner, Lizzie Cox and Josh Clinard; (back row) Nick Kepple, Kathryn Rathbun, Katie Holt, Jennifer Davis, Norman Gossett and Amy Fourrier.

A THOUSAND WORDS
Do you have an important old photo that you value? Email your photo to jock@email.unc.edu and include the story behind the picture. Because every picture tells a story. And its worth? A thousand words.
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