MARGARETTA RISHER
Mrs. Margaretta C. Risher (nee Guice), wife of W. B. Risher, was born in Franklin county,
Mississippi, December 25, 1863; died near Warren, Ark., Oct. 11, 1898; was married Dec.
6, 1881; joined the church in early life. She leaves a husband and eight children. An obedient
child, a loving wife, a devoted mother has gone to reap a Christian's reward. Truly, a mother
in Israel has fallen. Children, walk in mother's footsteps as she walked in Jesus' footprints.
God bless Bro. Risher in his dark hour. His pastor,
January 4, 1899 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
MARTHA J. RITCHEY
Martha J. Ritchey was born in Mississippi, June 19, 1836; was first married to John A.
Mattingley, July 25, 1855. He having died, she was again married to Adrian Trimble,
March 17, 1859. Death again visited her home and took from her this husband. In 1882,
she moved to Arkansas and was again married to Thomas J. Ritchey, November, 1882.
Some years ago she was stricken with paralysis from which she never recovered,
rendering her as helpless as an infant. On January 12, 1900, she fell on sleep. The good
Lord, in whom she had confided so long, saw proper to release her from bodily affliction,
and take her to himself, that she might rest from pain and labor, and enter in through the
gate into the city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God. She professed
faith in Christ in early life and joined the M. E. Church, South, and ever after lived an
exemplary Christian. She was a Methodist of the old type; of the Bible type. She believed
in the support of the ministry, not in a meager manner, but in a liberal way. She was a
woman of broad views, having a proper conception of what is right. She was an
affectionate mother, a helpful companion, a good neighbor and a devoted Christian.
The writer preached her funeral at her home to a large concourse of sorrowing relatives
and neighbors. May the Lord of all grace comfort and sustain bereaved husband, children
and grandchildren and finally bring them to the Heavenly Jerusalem.
February 28, 1900 page 13 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Reaves Cem. Bradley Co.)
HENRY C. BRAZZELL
One of the best citizens of Bradley county, Ark., passed away when the man-loving and
god-fearing Henry Brazzell went from us. He was forty-six years. He was married to Miss
Cecelia Smith who with three daughters survive him. This husband and father, for whose
departure so many share the grief with the widow and children, was one of the most
hospitable and generous men. He had many friends. Noble in friendship himself that
disposition in others naturally gravitated around him. His pastor had a warm place in
his heart and cordial welcome in his home. His house like others with him on the Jersey
circuit ever had the "room and candlestick" for the prophet of the Lord. The writer of
these lines owes to the friendship and favors of H. C. Brazzell, a lifetime debt of
gratitude. Deceased was for years a member of the Methodist church and it was his custom
to be at his place at the preaching services. This fact together with his personal
friendship to his pastor makes his absence felt in a way to the pastor at it does to no
one else except to the bereaved family. As this writer reflects on the three years he
ministered on the Jersey circuit how thanksgiving to God abounds in him for Henry Brazzell
and neighbors deceased and living! They shall be appreciated not in this life only but
in the ages to come. Money is trash comparable to the worth of their friendship. Born of
God, such friendship cannot die. It is eternal. We would fondly believe that to his loved
ones and friends the departed may be among the guardian spirits: sent forth to minister
to them that shell be heirs of salvation." About his bedside was sung among others, the
much cherished hymn with the chorus "How I long to be there," and H. C. Brazzell's ears
opened to the music made by the triumphant church. May his widow and daughters be faithful
to a heavenly reunion.
February 20, 1908 page 14 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Shady Grove Cem. Jersey)
ANFIELD ROBERTSON
Sister Anfield R. Robertson was born in March, 1823, and died Jan. 1889. She had been a
member of the M. E. Church, South, in Warren, Ark., for over forty-two years, and had
been religious from childhood. We learn from those who knew her best that she was a
good woman, a devoted wife, a loving mother, a honored citizen, and a consecrated Christian.
Her death was very sudden and unexpected. She was visiting one of her children at Monticello,
where on the night of her death, she retired in seeming good health, leaving a grandchild sitting
up in a room. Soon after she retired her grandchild heard a struggling noise, and ran to her
calling aloud and trying to awake her, but she could not be aroused, when others of the family
were called, but all was over, and Sister Robertson had, so to speak, "folded the drapery of
her couch around her, and laid down to pleasant dreams." Our church has lost a sainted mother,
together with her darling children and other loved ones and friends, who greatly mourn her death.
We pray that this dispensation of Providence will prove an everlasting blessing to her bereaved
loved ones and friends, causing all to seek Christ who are out of Him, and finally all be reunited
in heaven. This elect lady deserves a better tribute than we are able to give her, and besides it
was never our pleasure to know her in life. As she had been ready for over a half-century, and
at last her death was so sudden, we say to all who may read this, "Be ye also ready, for in an
hour when ye think not the Son of Man cometh."
February 16, 1889 page 7 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren)
C. C. ROBERTSON
Bro. C. C. Robertson was born Nov. 18th, 1845 in Lafayette county, Miss., and died at
his residence in Warren, Bradley county, Ark., April 23, 1884. He professed religion and
joined the M. E. Church, South, August 1874, under the ministry of Rev. H. D. McKinnon.
He was married to Miss Ella Kemp, October 19, 1880. Bro. Robertson yielded to a fatal
attack of pneumonia. His illness was short but severe: he was conscious to the very last:
embraced his wife and child, and said all was well. I talked freely with him on the subject
of his near departure and found him firm in the faith--only waiting. In the death of our
good brother, the church has lost a valuable member, and the community a staunch man.
He was sheriff of Bradley county and discharged his duties faithfully, leaving a clean record,
which now-a-days speaks volumes. He had a great many friends who loved him for his
sterling worth. We can pronounce no greater eulogy upon the dead than to say they lived
right and were good and died triumphant and such can be truthfully said of our departed
brother - - he lived right and died right. It is sad to clasp the hand of the dying and say
farewell, but to witness a Christian die is a means of grace. I never witnessed a larger funeral
procession - - all were solemn and grief-stricken. May God bless and comfort the bereaved
wife, two children, aged mother, brothers and sisters.
July 5, 1884 page 7 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren)
E. L. RODDY
Died in Warren, Ark., Sept. 19, 1899, E. L. Roddy, after a lingering illness of three
weeks, aged 21 years 7 months and 21 days. He was a promising young man, of
excellent business qualities, noble character, and a bright future was before him. He
was an acceptable member of our Methodist Church, deeply pious, and was held
in high esteem by all who knew him and he had many friends - - his sun went down
while it was yet day and our church suffers a great loss in his premature death. He
leaves a father and mother, three brothers and 1 sister and several relatives who
mourn their loss, but they confide in God - - they know he has entered into rest
and that they can meet him again "beyond the river where the surges cease to roll."
Quite a procession went out from Warren with his remains to Hickory Springs
cemetery where a large congregation was assembled and where we laid his remains
to wait "the resurrection morn."
October 18, 1899 page 13 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Hickory Spgs. Cem. Bradley Co.)
MAY SCOBEY
May Scobey, daughter of Charley L. and Eddie M. Scobey; born July 1, 1898; died
at their home near Warren, Ark., September 5, 1898. Not only in the midst of life are
we in death, but how oft, as we are but into life, we die. May heaven's comforter be
with Brother and Sister Scobey. Jesus said: "Suffer little children to come unto me."
January 18, 1899 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Scobey Cem. Bradley Co.)
ALBERT SHARP
Albert Sharp was born in Prescott, Ark., August 17, 1892, and departed this life in
the parsonage at Warren, Ark., February 16, 1907. He was the child of devotedly
religious parents, but was left an orphan in his fifth year. The dying parents entrusted
their children to the care of Rev. W. F. Evans, whose wife was a sister to their mother.
They were taken into this preachers home and cared for by Brother and Sister Evans
as their own children. Albert was received into the Methodist church when ten years
of age. He was a good boy, quiet, patient and faithful, never very strong, perhaps
never well. The fatal illness was of one week. He suffered much till death brought
relief. He was buried in the preacher's lot in the cemetery at Camden, beside the
dust of my own precious child. A large company of sorrowing people met the
remains at the depot and attended the burial at sunset, mingling their tears with
the officiating minister, Brother Cannon, who had been his friend and teacher.
It is well with those boys that sleep in that sacred ground.
February 28, 1907 page 14 col 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
CARL SHARP
Brother Carl Sharp was born in Bradley county, in 1898, and was married to Miss
Bessie Clanton, October 21, 1914. He was concerted under the preaching of
Brother Grover Cleveland, a young Methodist preacher, who was assisting
Brother R. Spann in a meeting in Vick, on the Hermitage Circuit. Brother Sharp
was received into the church by Brother Spann, where he lived a true Christian
until death, which occurred January 24, 1916. Truly may it be said the Methodist
Church at Vick has lost a useful member and a home has been made lonely.
Brother Sharp leaves a young wife, father and mother and brothers and sisters
and relatives to mourn his loss. We held the funeral services of Sister Parish
and Brother Sharp in the Union Hill Baptist Church, witnessed by the largest
gathering that was ever seen at this place on such an occasion. The two caskets
were placed side by side in the church while the services were being held, after
which they were placed in separate graves in the cemetery. Truly can it be said
that two more have been added to God's eternal kingdom above. May God
bless the bereaved ones.
February 3, 1916 page 14 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Union Hill Cem. Bradley Co.)
GEORGE SHARP
Brother George C. Sharp died near Vick, Ark., June 11, 1912. In the thirty-fourth
year of life, surrounded by wife and loved ones, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus.
He realized the end drew near. His house was in order. He was a noble citizen,
a successful farmer, a loyal member of our church. I was his pastor last year
and often enjoyed his hospitality. A truly good neighbor, son and father and
husband has answered the last roll call. He left a devoted father, one sister,
several brothers, a wife and five small children to mourn his going. May our
Lord comfort the bereaved and kindly hands lead the fatherless the way the
father trod.
June 27, 1912 page 14 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
