The Greenwood Commonwealth Greenwood, MS October 30, 2002 Ollie Mae Philley Herring - Longtime mail carrier had friends along route People along the route of letter carrier Ollie Mae Philley Herring held her in high regard - because that is how she felt about them. "She put the customer first," said Celeste Bush, a longtime recipient of Mrs. Herring's services. Mrs. Herring, who retired several years ago after working 38 years for the U.S. Postal Service in Schlater and Minter City, died of cancer Monday, Oct. 28, 2002, at Greenwood Leflore Hospital. She was 76. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home, and visitation will be from 5 until 7 this evening, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in McNutt Cemetery in Schlater. Mrs. Herring was born in Alva and was a resident of Schlater for 68 years. She was an active member of the Schlater United Methodist Church. She and her husband of 56 years, Benny, were known for their devotion to one another. "They were perfect for each other. He just adored her, I think," said Nancy Walker of Schlater, one of Mrs. Herring's customers. "Ollie Mae was such a dear lady. Everyone around Schlater just loved her," Walker said. Walker said Mrs. Herring also was valued for her reliability and efficiency in mail delivery. "I could set my clock: It was 9:20, and there she would go." Bush said, "She kept everybody informed of news of other people. She was the old-fashioned mail carrier." Walker and Bush talked about Mrs. Herring's attire. "She was always dressed nicely, her makeup beautiful," Bush said. "She was a real lady. She was always immaculately dressed with her fixed just perfect," Walker said. When Mrs. Herring told her customers she was planning to retire, Walker and Bush were among the hostesses for a retirement party in Mrs. Herring's honor at the Bush residence. "We just had a wonderful time," Bush said. "So many people came. Almost every person who was invited came - because they admired her so much."