"Grandma" Keller, Shelby county's oldest woman, died at her home in this city at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning, death being due to old age, she being at the time of her death 106 years, one month and 6 days old. Until it became a physical impossibility for her to walk it was "Grandma's" custom to take her market basket filled with ferns or something from her garden and go about from house to house in town, selling her stuff to those who would buy them. Perlisse Ann Keller was born in Anderson County, TN, Mar. 7, 1813, and at the time of her death was perhaps the oldest resident of Central Illinois, and perhaps of the state. Her maiden name was Perlisse Ann Ridenour. About 73 years ago she was married to the late John Keller in Tennessee, and a year or so later came to Illinois and settled at Wabash Point, near Mattoon. Several years later the family moved to Indiana and later to this vicinity, which continued the home of Mrs. Keller until her death. For years after coming here she occupied a log cabin along the river, and throughout her life was a lover of flowers, spending much of her time in the spring and summer seasons in gathering wild flowers. She also had a wide knowledge of roots and herbs. Mrs. Keller was the mother of four children, two of whom are living. These are William Keller of this city and Marion Keller of Wood River, IL. Mr. Keller died fifteen or twenty years ago. "Granny" Keller, as the aged woman was universally called, not only reared her own children, but also a number of her grandchildren. For a number of years Mrs. Keller was a member of the Christian church, but several years ago transferred her membership to the Church of Christ, which was nearer her home and enabled her to attend divine service. The funeral will be held from this church at 10 o'clock Thursday morning, conducted by Elder A. L. Gepford. Burial will be in Glenwood cemetery. - Shelbyville Democrat - 15 May 1919

Perlisse Ann Keller
Woman, 106, Dies
Shelbyville, Ill., May 14 - Mrs. Perlisse Ann Keller died at her home here Tuesday, aged 106. A little clay pipe was her constant companion. [Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.), 14 May 1919]