ELIAS KING
Elias D. King was born in Guinette county, Ga., in 1818; joined the M. S.
Church, South in 1835; was married to Miss Amanda Douglass in 1841; moved
to Clark county, Ark., in 1858; then to Bradley County, Ark., in 1861,
from whence he ascended into glory June 5, 1898. Bro. King lived a true
and devoted Christian in the Methodist Church for sixty-one years. He
was strong, both physically and intellectually; he was a power. Bro.
King was a singing master, but seldom used a book in revivals; he was
able in prayer and had been an exhorter in our church for twenty long
years. He was a great revivalist. Many of the preachers and people of
Palestine circuit remember kindly the sweet songs, earnest prayers and
exhortations he has made in their meeting. Bro. King would pay as well
as pray. His home was his preacher's home; he was the preacher's friend
all the way. Nothing he had was too good for his preacher. We visited
him a few times this year before he died, and found him a cheerful and
devoted Christian, a patient sufferer, and a strong counselor, even in
his extreme old age. We preached his funeral on the third Sunday in
August at Spring Hill Church, to his loving wife and two daughters,
and a host of many friends, whose tears flowed freely in memory of him
whom we had learned to love and appreciate. We would say to the bereaved
family and friends, live faithful and we will soon meet our dear brother
where there shall be no more sorrow, crying, nor pain, and God shall
wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more death.
September 7, 1898 page 13 col 3 & 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
WILLIAM McDANIEL
Wm. McDaniel was born in Bradley County, Ark., Feb. 9, 1843; was
married to Miss Emma Juniel in September, 1868; professed faith
in Christ five years ago. He bore with true Christian fortitude
many months of intense suffering. All that medicine and tender,
loving hands could do to alleviate his sufferings was done. He
passed away on the 20th of February, 1897, and was interred in
the family cemetery in Ouachita county. He leaves a devoted wife
and many friends who mourn his loss.
"Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep."
April 21, 1897 page 15, col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
SIS. R. N. KOONCE
Mrs. R. M. (sic) Koonce, wife and widow of Richardson Koonce, of precious
memory, died at her home in Warren, Arkansas, Feb. 2, 1911. She was born
in Lafayette, Indiana, February 6, 1836. She was married to Richardson M.
Koonce at Greenwood, Mississippi, July 8, 1857. They came soon after to
Arkansas, settling in Warren, where she lived for more than fifty years.
When the Methodist church was first organized in Warren, she was a charted
member. She was not merely a consistent member, she was loyal, faithful,
zealous, exemplary. She was modest and unobtrusive, but cheerful, true
and devoutly religious. She was the mother of eleven children, sixteen
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Happy children were they to
have such a mother. Caring for her children was a busy task for many long
years. Her domestic duty barred her from society, but her neighbors were
all her friends, as she was the friend of every one. I am glad to have
known and loved her and hope to meet her again.
March 2, 1911 page 14 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren)
ALMEDA LANGSTON
Mrs. Almeda M. Langston was a daughter of Absolom and Mary Langston. She was born
in Union District, South Carolina, Aug. 27, 1855. Her father moved to this state
when she was seven years old. She was married to Mr. B.F. Langston on December
19, 1879. She could never give the date of her conversion, but from her earliest
recollections, loved and served her Savior. In 1883 she was baptized and received
into the M.E. Church, South, by Rev. J.J. Jenkins at Warren, Ark., where she held
her membership at the time of her death. She was strong in her convictions of what
was right and firm in her service to it. Quick to ? and brave to discharge every
duty, she was one of best church members, one on whom we could depend. She died
in peace at her home in Warren, March 29, 1892. Three of their children preceded
her to the better land. Nine are left, sorrowing, yet not comfortless. They have
the rich legacy of a Christian mother's love, the memory of her noble, unselfish
life, a member that will be a blessing to many others as well as her own home
circle. She prayed earnestly to be spared to her loved ones, yet was ready to go.
May God bless and guide them to her home above.
June 30, 1892 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren)
SIS A. C. LEDBETTER
Sister A.C. Ledbetter passed from us to the heavenly world on December 13, 1922.
She was born January 4, 1841, and professed faith in Christ and joined the M. E.
Church South in 1861, at Camp Springs what was then the Warren Circuit, now the
Kingsland Circuit. She has been true to her church. Her life was one of sacrifice
and service to her God, her church and friends. She leaves two sons, one daughter
and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Her pastor conducted her funeral in the
Leaufrai Church. Her remains were laid to rest in the church cemetery.
July 5, 1923 page 10 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
CHARLES LEWIS
Brother Charles Lewis died at his home in Union county July 6th, 1897. He
was born January 24th, 1816, in Chester district, South Carolina. He was
married to Mary Ann Chanceller, September 28, 1836, she having died in
1852; he then married Margaret McMillin, Nov., 7, 1856. Brother Lewis was
converted in early life, and joined the M.E. Church, South and remained a
consistent member all his life. He was licensed to exhort in 1850, and was
licensed to preach in 1858, at Warren, Bradley county, Ark. Brother Lewis
lived to the good old age of 82 years and six months; his body was consigned
to the tomb at Souls chapel, Brother J. M. Rodgers performing the funeral
ceremony. Brother Lewis had but a limited education, but what he lacked
in education he made up in faithful work, he was always at his post in the
Quarterly Conference, ready with his purse to respond to every call of the
Church for help in all cases of want. There was no man more true to his
cause than he. He served in the Indian war in Florida, in which he received
a severe wound for which he drew a pension until his death. Brother Lewis
was true to his preacher, always calling on him as soon as he arrived on
his work to find out what he needed first, and was sure to help as far as
his ability would allow.
MARGARET CALLIE MARONEY
Mrs. Margaret Callie Maroney was born September 6, 1868, and died near
Jersey, Ark., July 7, 1903. We were hardly beginning to realize our great
loss in the demise of J.B. Watson, when death called again from our
membership this Christian spirit. Sister Maroney had been a member of
the church nearly two years, and though situated so she could not attend
often, her heart and prayers were with the Savior's cause, and for the
salvation of her husband and children. It seems very sad the calling
away of this mother from the training of her seven children, the youngest
an infant of a few months, but God will overrule all ? for good, and
make the good mother mean more to her family in heaven than she could
mean to them on earth. May her departure forge in sorrow a very strong
chain to bind her loved ones to God and heaven. Christ cannot deny
Himself. He lives and his gospel saves. This Christian mother and
daughter is not dead, her dear ones meet her again. Her husband to
whom she had been wedded nearly twenty years, and her mother have a
treasure as real as ever in the wife and daughter, and her children
the priceless heritage of the mother's life and character. May they
look not at the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen.
In sympathy:
October 21, 1903 page 15 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Shady Grove Cem. Jersey)
ANNIE MARTIN
Mrs. Annie Martin born at Moro Bay, Ark., Sept. 7, 1880 and died
suddenly at Pine Bluff, Ark. May 17, 1923. She was the daughter
of John B. Watson, deceased and Mrs. A. E. Watson, for years pillars
and supporters of the church in Bradley county. When a girl she was
a student at the Clary Training School, Fordyce. She was from
girlhood throughout her life of a most amiable disposition. Every
acquaintance she ever made as well as her intimate friends and
loved ones of her own home in girlhood and in married life bear
such testimony to her character. She professed Christianity in
youth and had many years been an acceptable member of the Southern
Methodist Church. All her pastors can, no doubt, testify to her
devotion and loyalty to her Savior. For years she never cared to
go anywhere except to minister to the sick and to church. Her
husband and children can say that wife and mother made their
home a very happy one. Her children are rich in the legacy of
her Christian character. Her work will continue by their living
out the high Christian ideals of Mother's teaching and life.
She was married by the writer to A. B. Martin, Dec. 29, 1901,
and was the mother of eight children, all living except one
that died when five weeks old. It is especially sad that her
young children should be deprived of Mother's tender care, but
may God lead her sorrowing husband and four boys and three
girls safe to His heavenly home. The mother awaits them there.
To them and to the surviving mother, four brothers and one sister,
the writer entreats that they live at our Redeemer's feet until
He shall gather the family in unbroken reunion in heaven. There
we will understand better when "the day breaks and the clouds
flee away." In Sympathy.
November 8, 1923 page 13 col 2 & 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
WILLIAM HUNT BLANKENSHIP
William Hunt Blankenship was born in Cleveland county, Arkansas twenty seven years ago, and
came to an untimely death in an unfortunate manner, having been slain on his own premises
by a neighbor on January 4. Brother Blankenship was left fatherless when but a child, hence
the duties of a man soon come upon him eventuating in developing a sense of responsibility
which entered into the making of young man of sterling worth that he was. When he was ten
years old he gave his young and tender heart to the Lord and joined the Methodist Church.
When but a boy he was made a steward in his church, and continued faithful in said office
until his tragic taking off. The writer has scarcely ever known a young man of such splendid
parts. As a steward he was par excellence. He no more missed a quarterly meeting than the
pastor or presiding elder; always on hand with a report, standing faithfully by his pastor
and church. As a son and brother there were few like him. His widowed mothers companion,
advisor, comforter and support in all the details of life. And how dutiful, tender and
attentive to is younger sister who lived in the home with them. He was noble and true in
all the walks and demands of life. He spent New Year's Day working on the neighborhood
church, and from it, amid a great throng of weeping relatives and sympathizing friends,
the writer, assisted by the earnest pastor, Rev. A. E. Jacobs, conducted the funeral
services and in the church and community cemetery, just across the road, so beautiful and
restful, we laid his noble and manly body to rest. He leaves a heart-broken and stricken
mother, three sisters, an elder brother, Dr. Azman, uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of
friends to mourn his going. He had enriched the church and world by his bright and godly
life and we expect to join him some day where heartaches and tragedies never come. His
Friend and Brother:
March 21, 1918 page 15, col 2 & 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Union #1 cem Cleveland co)
PRESTON MARTIN
Preston Martin, son of H. L. and S. E. Martin was born May 5, 1885;
died September 25, 1898, near Orlando, Ark. Preston was sick but a
short time. His departure came very unexpectedly. He was a promising
boy, kind and gentle everywhere. May God bless the sad home and may
this lead all the family to Christ and to heaven. Life is a vapor.
How soon it vanishes away and is not!
January 18, 1899 page 13 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
