CHARLES S REAP
Charles S. Reap was born in South Carolina September 13, 1856. Removed
with his parents to Drew Co., Arkansas in 1859. He married Miss Ashcraft of
Cleveland county. Five children were born to them. The family had lived in
Warren the past fifteen years. He was converted a little more than one year ago,
and joined the Methodist church. On Oct. 15, 1913, he died at his home in
Warren, leaving the wife and four children, four brothers, two sisters and scores
of friends to mourn his departure. He said he was not afraid of death, but died
in hope of eternal life by faith in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
October 30, 1913 page 14 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren)
ROBERT HARRISON SAVAGE
Robert Harrison Savage was born August 26, 1865, Bradley County, Ark., and
departed this life, February 26, 1915. He professed faith in Christ while in his
nineteenth year, under the preaching of Brother Shaw, Sr., and united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, where he lived a consistent Christian life
till death. Brother Savage leaves a wife and three children, together with a mother
and brother and sisters to mourn his loss. Truly can it be said that the country
has lost a good citizen and the church a benefactor. We held the funeral service
at the Outlaw Cemetery, which was attended by a large crowd of friends and
loved ones, after which the body was placed in the vault there to await the
resurrection call. We would say to the bereaved ones, grieve not, but live a true
Christian life, and some bright day you will be with this loved one never to part again.
April 1, 1915 page 13 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Outlaw Cem. Bradley Co.)
SAM C. EDERINGTON
Mr. Sam C. Ederington was born in Mississippi June 1, 1850; his parents moved to Arkansas
in October of 1850; was a citizen of Warren, Bradley Co., for many years. Having failing
health for some years he concluded to try the climate of San Antonio, Tex., where, on
March 16, 1892, he passed away from earth. When the P.C. of Warren M.E. Church, South,
four years ago, we first met Bro. Ederington, and learned to love him and his grief-stricken
wife, who lived next door to the parsonage. We saw each other daily passing to and from home,
and knew him to be a good husband and citizen. Though not a Christian then, we are so glad
to learn from a letter from Sister Ederington recently, that when they were out in Texas,
some time before his death he was so happily converted while in San Antonio. Both rejoiced
together, she being so happy to see that her prayers for her afflicted husband were answered
and he was saved. He craved to get well, that he might work for God. She says he told his
last physician, that he was a Methodist in faith, but believed in immersion, and if he lived
to get home he would join the Methodist Church and do all the good he could working for the
Lord, but the Lord cut the work short in righteousness and took him home to heaven to work
for Him more perfectly there. To the bereaved wife and other afflicted ones we would not
say "weep not," for we cannot bring him back and remove the cause for weeping, but continue
to look to Jesus, who is able to comfort all who mourn. You can all go to him, and we can
all meet at His feet when our journey is over.
June 9, 1892 page 7 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Childs Cem. Banks)
NOEL LOVETT REAVES
Noel Lovett, son of Edward E. and Frances E. Reaves, born August 30, 1896,
died after three days sickness at the old home near Orlando, Ark., on the 9th of
April, 1898. This, the only child of Bro. and Sister Reaves, has been called to
the other shore. The home is sad and dark. The mother weeps and mourns under
this heavy bereavement, but Noel was a plant too tender for this world. A flower
too delicate for the summer sun of this life. So the Lord took him home to bloom
in a fairer clime, and to breathe a sweeter atmosphere, and lead pap and mamma
closer to the Lord. Let this be a blessing.
May 4, 1898 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
STEPHEN BENJAMIN HARDING
On December 30, 1851, there was born to William Brice Harding, a son whom they called
Stephen Benjamin. Before the child had grown to the age of reason, his parents migrated
to Arkansas and settled in Bradley County. Under the guidance of his God-fearing
Christian parents, the boy grew to manhood owing allegiance only to the country in which
he preferred to remain as a man. Bradley County may well mark the passing of a man who
chose to stay in the vicinity into which he came at a tender age, in which he spent all
of his life, in which he retained all of his business interests and in which he died.
Stephen Benjamin Harding was not yet ten years old when the guns resounded at Fort
Sumpter and the long trying period of the Civil War with the blighting effects it had
on those who held allegiance to the flag of a nation that fell deprived the young boy
of the advantages of education that should be the right of every youth. On January 1,
1879, he married Miss Josie St. John of Bradley County, Arkansas, who survives him and
is a resident of Warren. It was not until after his marriage that it was possible for
him to complete his education, but spurred on by ambition and true worthiness, he prepared
himself for a business career. In 1900, he established himself in the city of Warren and
engaged with his brother, Richard in the hardware business. For 14 years his efforts in
business were pre-eminently successful. It is seldom given to any of us to live so long
and to very few are afforded the opportunity of Christian sacrifice which 13 years of
illness made necessary on the part of the deceased. During all those long years he was
never known to complain, finding comfort in the words of the Good Book and taking them
from the inspiration which made his fortitude possible. On January 16, 1928, his
suffering was called to an end and there passed from the earth a steadfast and true
Christian southern gentleman.
May 31, 1928 page 13 col 4 and page 14 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Adams Cemetery)
TEMPERANCE CAROLINE RICE
On July 3, death visited the home of Mrs. Walter Risher and called Sister Temperance
Caroline Rice. Sister Rice was born in Coweta County, Ga., August 21, 1843. She
moved to Arkansas with her parents when 9 years of age. She was married at the age
of 17, was the mother of 14 children, 9 of them are still living, 6 sons and 3 daughters.
Four of the sons, Robert, George, Rufus and Roscoe live at Banks, Ark., one son,
Rev. John Rice, lives in Oklahoma and Ira Rice at Abilene, Texas. Mrs. G.W. McLeod
of El Dorado, and Mrs. Lula Gammel of Warren. In addition to the nine children living,
Sister Rice leaves 78 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-
grandchildren making a total of 192 living descendants. Sister Rice's husband died
in December, 1905. Sister Rice was converted in early life, joined the Church and
lived a faithful Christian to the end. I would say to the loved ones left behind that they
can look for mother just inside the golden gates as she waits to welcome them home.
July 29, 1926 page 14 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
MARGARET A. RICHARDS
Margaret Allice Richards (nee Brock) was born in Alabama, September 1st, 1829;
joined the M.E. Church in 1840; moved to Arkansas in 1842; married to A. J. Richards
in 1852. Since the division of the church she has lived a faithful and devoted member
of the M.E. Church, South, until May 14th when after lingering long at the brink of the
Jordan, in great pain, the Lord granted her request and she crossed over to the heavenly
Canaan to join with the loved ones in the church triumphant. She leaves two sons and
two daughters to mourn her loss. Our sister and mother had that faith that will not
shrink but stands as a great beacon light to guide us into eternal rest.
June 27, 1900 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Marsden Cem. Bradley Co.)
HENRY FRANCIS RICHARDSON
Henry Francis Richardson was a good man. He lived more than 69 years among us. In
early childhood he was converted and joined the church, in which he was an officer most
of his life. No man among us dispensed a larger hospitality than he. His home was the
preacher's home, and he would share his last dollar with him. Born Dec. 14, 1845; died
June 25, 1915. In these few years he developed a beautiful Christian character. He had
seven children; five of them are with him now. The other two and his faithful wife are
left behind, following in his footsteps. When a mere boy he went to the army and fought
bravely for the Confederacy. His last sickness was long, but beautiful in faith and patience.
His death was triumphant. He has gone; we are sure of his abode, and if we are faithful
we shall see him again.
July 15, 1915 page 16 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren, AR)
MARGARET RICHARDSON
Margaret Lorena, daughter of Edward and Epsie Broughton, was born in Clarendon
District, South Carolina, December 26, 1845. She was married to Henry F. Richardson,
December 14, 1870, died Nov. 18, 1922, at her home in Warren, Ark. Sister Richardson
is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W.F. Long and one brother, J.R. Broughton. The
latter is the only surviving member of Company E. First Ark., of the Confederate Army.
Sister Richardson for many years had been a faithful member of the M.E. Church, South.
She lived by faith in Christ, and died with the Christian confession of faith upon her lips.
She was ready to go and left a bright testimony behind her. Funeral services were held
in the Methodist church at Warren by her pastor, the writer, and Rev. G.L. Boles of
the First Baptist Church.
July 5, 1923 page 11 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren, Ark.)
LUCY RICKS
Mrs. Lucy Ricks was born in Pike County, Alabama, September 17, 1846. She went to
her home in heaven, April 13, 1919. She was the oldest of five children of Mr. and Mrs.
Jerry Frazer. Shortly after the Civil War they moved to Bradley County, Ark. January 4,
1870, she was married to A.M. Ricks of Sabine Parish, La., where they lived until January
1894, when they moved back to Bradley County, Ark., where they have since lived.
"They twain shall be one flesh" can truly be said of this union. Forty-nine years of married
life, of complete devotion to each other, without even a cross word between them. To
this union ten children were born, seven boys and three girls. The husband, A.M. Ricks;
four sons, W. S. Ricks of Searcy, Ark., J.D., and E. J. Ricks, Mrs. Carrie Culbreath,
Mrs. Anna Davis, all of Warren, Ark., survive her. She never knew the ways of sin, for
in her early childhood she was gloriously converted, and ever after "she walked not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit." Like Enoch, "she walked with God." It can truly be said
of her, that her life was hid with Christ in God. In the home she took the role of Martha.
Her delight was in serving. She dearly loved the church, and as long as she was able to
go she was a regular attendant at the church services. She was a dear lover of the Sunday
School, and there was no task too hard for her to undertake for the Lord. When she lived
with her family on the farm, and it was difficult to get anyone to serve as Sunday School
superintendent at the schoolhouse in the community, or at the church, she would take the
responsibility, and for several years she conducted the Sunday School in the community
in which she lived. The husband, five sons--the youngest having passed away some years
ago--and two sons-in-law were very, very wicked, as many who knew them will remember;
but the beautiful Christian life, backed up at the throne of God by the constant prayers of
this consecrated companion and mother, resulted in the conversion of each of them, together
with other members of their families. The oldest son, Rev. W. S. Ricks of Searcy, Ark., a
minister in the M.E. Church, South, has been engaged in the missionary and evangelistic
work for nine years, and as a result of the mother's prayers, not less than 1,200 souls have
been converted. Surely, she is wearing the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous judge, gave her as the reward for her faithfulness. She had been a constant sufferer
for several years, but she bore it all patiently and silently. To know her was to love her. Just
a few moments before she went away, she said, "I am going home. Weep not for me." She
closed her eyes, said "good-bye," and with a smile she went away to be with Jesus. "Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.
July 10, 1919 page 13 col 4 and page 14 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren, Ark.)
