COPY FROM NEWSPAPERS.COM ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2021

CLARK COUNTY COURIER

VOLUME XXVIII. NUMBER 25.

23 MARCH 1923

PAGE 1 COLUM 2

 

OBITUARY

 

BLACK

 

Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Lotsy Ballard, was born March 2, 1855, near Ballard church in Clark county, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood.

At her home at Wyaconda, Mo., Saturday evening at 9 o’clock, the messenger of death paused and whispered “Come unto me”, departing this life March 17, 1923, aged 68 years, and 15 days.

September 6, 1871, she was united in marriage to Mr. George W. Black. To them were born six children, two sons, Robert Lee and Walter Henry dying in childhood, age 6 (six) and 1 (one) years respectively.

She was a member of the Rebekah lodge and Baptist church of Wyaconda, Mo., and was held in high esteem by all who knew her.

After residing on a farm in the Ballard neighborhood for a number of years, they moved to a farm near Woodville near Mr. Black’s boyhood home, and just a little more than a year before the death of Mr. Black they moved to Medill where he preceded her in death November 28 28, 1910. Since the death of her husband she moved to Wyaconda and resided there until death. A husband, two sons, farther, mother, three sisters and one brother have preceded her.

Two sons and two daughters, Mrs. Ora Atwater of Burnside, Ill., Mrs. Emma Green of Ft. Madison, Iowa, Ben F. of Wyaconda, Mo., and Henry W., of LaBell; one brother, Wat Ballard of Vega, Texas, and one sister, Mrs. Frank Brown of Wyaconda, several grandchildren and a large number of other relatives and friends mourn the loss of a mother, sister and friend, whose purpose was high, whose character noble. In early childhood she gave her life to Christ and had for years been a consistent member of the Baptist church. Life to her was real and earnest. She accepted its pleasures and trials with complacency, carrying with her everywhere a potent charm of cheerfulness, helpfulness and good will. Her generosity and general hospitality were characteristic of her family. No more will the walls of the old home resound to her gentle voice, but death can never take from the minds and hearts of her loved ones her memory, the many acts of kindness done and the gentle and kindly spirit which dominated her life, will be remembered for years to come as influences which helped us to live nobler lives.

For the last few years she has been in failing health, suffering attacks of physical evils. Since November her condition has been critical and though no effort was spared to bring about her recovery, medical skill with gentle and loving care combined could not stay the hand of death. February 22nd, she was taken seriously ill. Thus as the seasons, life changes from springtime to the days of winter and her lusty youth has been giving way to feeble age and betoken the time of final reckoning. She bore her suffering patiently. Knowing her life we are confident that in that awful struggle between life and death she bore herself like a Christian. He resolution never failed. Her heroic spirit was firm to the end.

The calling of a mother is one of providences hard to be understood, but we know, that divine intelligence makes no mistakes and divine love doeth no evil, so somehow it is best.

“Weep not for her; why should we weep. Her soul is free from troubles here. Her body quietly sleeps. Weep not, weep not, God knoweth best. Our loved mother is now at rest,

Funeral services at Baptist church, Wyaconda, Monday at 1 p. m. interment in Kahoka cemetery.