ZIEMA BAILEY
Miss Ziema Bailey, a daughter of Bro. J. M. and Bettie Bailey, was born Oct. 8, 1879 in Warren,
Ark., where her death occurred Oct. 9, 1893, when she was just 14 years and 1 day old. Ziema
was so kindly disposed that she was loved by all who knew her. She always had a bright smile
for every one and the home was more joyous by the light of her life in it. She was always
punctual and faithful in the Sunday-school and added much cheer and pleasure to her class. She
was a member of the Earnest Workers Juvenile Missionary Society and was a delegate to the last
meeting of the W. M. S., L. R. Conference, at Fordyce. It was a great pleasure for her to
attend that meeting. Her sickness was brief. How hard it was for the dear parents and family
to give her up so pure and young and bright, and how dark the shadow of death in the home.
How much willing hands and loving hearts had done to build the new home, now nearly completed,
and "Ziema is not to share the joy and pleasure it will afford, for "God took her; " and oh!
what a comforting reflection, that she shares the sweeter joys and rich pleasures of that
better and brighter abode above. If with their meager means earthly parents will do so much
for their children, how much more will the heavenly Father do for those whom he takes unto
Himself. Oh, the city which the foundations, whose builder and maker is God, where the pure
and good forever dwell! May we enter there.
October 26, 1893 page 3 col 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Oakland Cem. Warren, AR)
MARGARET A. CLANTON
Sister Margaret A. Clanton, daughter of E. D. and Amanda R. King, was born in Cherokee Co.,
Ala., Aug 19, 1854; moved with her parents to Bradley Co., Ark. in 1861; was married to
W. T. Clanton, Nov. 19, 1879; died September 22, 1889. She professed religion and joined
the M. E. Church, South, in her 15th year. Her life as a Christian was trained in accordance
with New Testament principles, possessing "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
is in the sight of God of great price." She "adorned the doctrine of God our Savior in
all things," and others "took knowledge of her that she had been with Jesus." She died
in full triumph of a living faith. When death came she said she was ready and willing to
go, only regretting to leave her five little children, three girls and two boys. Just
before her death she sang in a clear voice one of the sweet songs of Zion, and soon entered
upon the eternal rest prepared for the people of God. May God bless and comfort the dear
little children.
October 9, 1889 page 7 col 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
MARY ELIZABETH RAINEY BARFIELD
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Rainey Barfield, daughter of S. D. and S. E. Rainey, was born November 19,
1858; died June 1, 1916, at the home of her sister. Mrs. Ed Clanton. Sister Barfield joined
the Presbyterian church when seventeen years old. She was a faithful Christian attending church
services at every opportunity. She had been afflicted with rheumatism for 26 years. Her life was
one of pain, yet she bore it like her Savior, not complaining. She has been a regular attendant
of my services for a portion of the past six years. When she came into the church it seemed a
more sacred place because of the presence of this saint of God. She filled well her place in
life. A beautiful Christian light shines among us no more. We are the poorer; heaven is the
richer. She left two sisters, one brother and many nieces, nephews and friends who are sad at
her going to join the host of the redeemed. May our Christ cheer the saddened hearts.
September 28, 1916 page 15 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Calvary Pres. Cem. Bradley Co.)
KIZZIE C. CONE
Kizzie C. Cone (nee McKinney) was born July 13, 1840 in Bradley county, Ark. Her
father died when she was very small. Soon after this, she was taken into the family
of Mr. J. Sum Cone, a brother to her husband, Asberry H. Cone whom she married
January 6, 1858. Theirs was a happy home. Only one thing was lacking in the home
and that was the care and company of children. In 1878 Jim Thornton, a one year
old boy was taken by permission of his father by Sister Cone to her home. This
was at the death of the boy's mother. He became the foster son in this childless
home. They loved him as their own son and he loved them as his own father and
mother. In 1872, Asberry H. Cone was elected sheriff of Calhoun County, which
position he held until 1880. He died on August 1, 1899. Mrs. Cone was commonly
and dearly known as Aunt Puss. To know her was to love her. She joined the Methodist
Church at Chambersville when she was a young lady, and became an active Christian.
Her church paper was from the beginning of its life a member of her family. She
never did without it even reading the last issue before her death. For several
years Aunt Puss had been failing in health. She lived alone after her husband's
death in a house adjoining her married son, until about a year ago when she moved
into his home. About two years ago her health began to fail. The last four months
before the end she was confined to her room. She got better, then worse and finally
her life passed into the silence of the unknown as the sun gradually drives the
darkness into noonday light. This was at Thornton, March 6, 1915. She is not dead,
but gone to her eternal home, "a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens."
May her life prove a blessing to all who knew her.
March 25, 1915 page 15 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
W. O. BARTLETT
Our Heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, has called from our midst our esteemed friend and brother, W. O. Bartlett.
We mourn his loss and appreciate the consistency with which he did his work as superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School at Banks, Ark.
We recognize that this community has lost one of its best citizens, the church one of its most efficient workers, and the Sunday School one of its best friends and leaders.
January 24, 1929 page 14 col 3 & 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (McFarland Cemetery)
JULIA A. BEARD
Julia A. Beard, wife of R. D. Beard, was born in Henry county, Georgia, November 23, 1847
and departed this life June 5, 1885 at her home near Warren, Bradley Co., Arkansas. In early
life, our dear sister professed a saving faith in the blood of Christ and united with the people
of God. To the day of her death, her life was a living comment upon the promises of our blessed
Master - - "my grace is sufficient, etc.," Sister Beard was a good, sweet-spirited Christian
mother who taught and recommended the religion she enjoyed to her children. Now that she is
gone, may the good seed spring up to yield a hundred fold and by and by the family entire,
united in Christ, meet around the eternal throne where parting is no more. Amen!
August 15, 1885 page 7 col 1 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Beard Cem. Warren)
AUSTIN BEASLEY
Austin, son of Julius T. and Etta Beasley was born November 21, 1909 and died of "flu" on
March 12, 1920. He leaves a father, one brother, Leroy and one sister, Carrine. He joined
the M. E. Church three years ago. The Rev. J. C. Williams was pastor of our church. Austin
loved his church, his Sunday School and his playmates. Weep not loved ones for he has gone
to rest. He said to all who were in the room with him; "I'm going home; come and go with me."
June 24, 1920 page 16 col 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Outlaw Cem. Bradley Co.)
AGNES HARVEY BELIN
Agnes Harvey Belin, the sweet little daughter of Brother and Sister W. L. Belin of Jersey, Ark.,
came into their home July 18, 1897, drew a picture of her angelic features in the hearts and
memories of all who knew her and carried away in the arms of Jesus to the garden of His
Paradise, Sept. 29, 1900. Agnes was a dear sweet little girl. She was loved and wooed by
everyone who knew her and we cannot fully estimate the measure of attractive power which this
sainted child held over her parents and relatives. Her love dawns down while the love of many
hearts rises up to her high throne. The holy influence of her love and affection touches not
single hearts, but the hearts of parents, grand-parents, great-grandparents, favorite friends
of which she had many. Every object in the house and round the home of Brother and Sister
Belin will bring to them thoughts of their angel in Heaven and every hasty search-errand to
the drawer or trunk will expose to their view the clothes and play things which has left
behind her to remind them that Heaven offers to them a greater inducement to "seek to enter
in at the straight gate." Father and Mother, weep not, for Agnes is in the green, peaceful
bowers of Paradise. She is being led, fed and refreshed by the great Shephard of the sheep
and lambs, who was himself once a child, that he might sanctify the tender age of infancy
and who in the days of His flesh, pressed infants to his bosom and speaking those comforting
words, " suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not." Agnes and a few days
before she died, "Jesus is Passing This Way, " and " Will the Waters be Chilly?" The smile
left on her face is one evidence that the "waters" were not "chilly" to her but that she had
passed into the Elysian fields, where sickness, sorrow and death will have no more influence
over her precious little body.
October 17, 1900 page 15 col 4 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Shady Grave Cem. Jersey)
ZACH B. DRUMMOND
Zach B. Drummond, son of Thomas and Susan Drummond, was born July 31, 1847 in Carroll Co., Tenn.
In early life he made profession of religion and united with the M.E. Church, South. In 1878,
he came to Ark. and spent one year at Moro Bay. On July 20, 1879, he was married to Miss Tina
E. Stafford of Pulaski Co., and for about six months was a resident of Little Rock, after which
he moved to Searcy where he remained for two years. During his residence at Searcy he with his
wife united with the church. In 1882 he came to Newport where he lived until his death, which
occured on the evening of March 11, 1891, after seven days suffering with pneumonia. Bro. D.
was a steward in the church, and the last work he did of any kind was to collect some money on
the preacher's salary and turn it over to the treasurer of the Board of Stewards. He was the
preacher's friend, as some of the former pastors of Newport can testify. As a citizen he was
true and faithful in all relations with the business world. As a husband and father he was
devoted to his family. As a man he had his faults, but was sincere and honest in his motives
and purposes. He expressed himself very freely to his wife after he was taken sick as
apprehensive that he would not recover and remarked to her that he would be safe. Bro. D.
leaves a wife and two small children with others relatives and many friends to mourn his
departure. His remains were carried to Searcy accompanied by the Odd Fellows and K. of P.
Lodges, of which he was a member, and on the afternoon of March 13, with burial services of
the Church, he was laid away to rest until the resurrection morn.
May 6, 1891 page 7 col 3 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper
THOMAS J. RITCHEY
Thomas Jefferson Ritchey was born in Drew County, Ark., September 23, 1846, and departed
this life April 22, 1915. While but a youth, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Confederate army
and endured the hardships of a soldier's life until the close of the war. Not many years after the
fall of the Confederacy he enlisted in a larger army and served his Lord and Master as a soldier
of the cross until he received a summons to go up higher, there to live and reign with his Lord
forever. He was a member of the M. E. Church South for more than 40 years. A good part of
that time he rendered faithful service for his church in a n official capacity - - as steward, Sunday
school superintendent and trustee. He was married three times. He first married Elizabeth Ann
Keenan, July 24, 1867. After her death he married Mrs. Martha Jane Trimble, November 15, 1882.
His third marriage was to Mrs. Lou Faucett, August 15, 1900. His cheerful, sunny disposition
caused him to have many friends. If he had an enemy, this writer never knew it. He was always
true and loyal to his church and pastor. He leaves a wife, several children and grandchildren to
mourn their loss, but their loss is his eternal gain. His funeral services were conducted at Good
Hope Church, in the presence of a congregation of relatives and friends by Rev. R. W. McKay
and this writer; then his body was laid to rest in the old family graveyard.
July 22, 1915 page 14 col 1 & 2 - The Arkansas Methodist Newspaper (Reaves Cem. Bradley Co.)
