On February 22nd came the close of a life that had been well spent in the Kemper community when Mr. Asa Church passed to his reward.
He was in his 72nd year.
He had suffered for quite awhile but had bourne his affliction with great patience.
He was a faithful and loyal member of Kemper Baptist Church and had served for many years as a deacon of the church and was the senior deacon at the time of his death.
The floral offerings were beautiful, attesting the high esteem in which he was held in the community.
A good citizen, a faithful and loyal Christian has gone from us.
He will be greatly missed.
His wife and children have the deep, heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
...His Pastor
DILLON HERALD
Thursday, 3 Mar 1932
Joel B. Hayes
"DEATH CLAIMS VENERABLE AND BELOVED CITIZEN"
Joel B. Hayes, at the age of 15, on June 18, 1866 married pretty Ann Hill, 14 year lassie, at Page's Mill, in old Marion County, now Lake View, in Dillon County.
On February 16, 1932 at the age of 81 years, Joel B. Hayes died at his homestead near Lake View where he had spent his entire life, including 66 years of marital blessedness, during which time nine children were born to them, six of whom still live, and his bride of nearly three-quarters of a century survives him.
Of the surviving children there are three sons who are 64, 42, and 31 years respectively, three daughters who are 51, 42, and 38 years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes enjoyed the distinction of having 41 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren of whom all but three are still living.
A large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives paid tribute to this "grand old man" of Marion and Dillon Counties at his funeral and interment at the Hayes burying ground near Lake View.
Rev. Mr. Jones, pastor of the Lake View Methodist Church officiated.
It is seldom that a couple live to the ripe old age of nearly a century and as man and wife for almost three-quarters of a century and enjoy such rich blessings as 84 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Dillon and Marion Counties are saddened by the passing of this splendid citizen, notwithstanding he was spared to such a long life of usefulness and goodness far beyond man's allotted three score years and ten.
His widow lives in Dillon County, loved and respected as was her worthy husband who has passed to his reward.
Obituary of Loftis Redlee Munnerlyn
The Southern Christian Advocate
Vol. V11, 27, December 15, 1843
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"
Died, at the house of his son, Rev. T. M. Munnerlyn, in Marion District, S.C., on 10th September last, Loftis R. Munnerlyn, aged about ninety years. He was with Marion throughout our revolutionary struggle, and with that brave and favourite son of Carolina, fought for the liberties we now enjoy. After living thirty years in the enjoyment of the and prosperity of his country, which his own bravery in part had procured, he at length was awakened in a sense of his lost state, through the instrumentality of his son, and gladly accepted the offer of mercy and grace through the intercession of a crucified Redeemer; and thenceforward to the day of his death, continued a consistent member of the M.E. Church, having learned to fight the battles of the Lord in the latter part of his life, as he had fought the battles of his country in the earlier part.
The fruits of his former battle was deliverance from the tyranny of an earthly sovereign, with the enjoyment of civil liberty.
His latter battles gave him the victory over the powers of darkness, and we trust he now wears a crown of rejoicing with the redeemed of the Lord, and has possession of an inheritance which passeth not away.
A.M.F.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Price
Mrs. Sarah Ann Price, daughter of Rev. James Smith, was born Mar 9th, 1829, in Marion county, S. C.
She was married to Leban Price, April 25, 1848, who died Dec. 24, 1876.
To this union was born nine children, six sons and three daughters.
The eldest died at six years of age.
The rest of the family are still living, with thirty-four grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
She died at the home of her son, James M. Price, near Melrose, Fla., Dec. 4th, 1917.
She joined the M.E. Church, South, at about 20 years of age and lived a noble Christian life, having those motherly qualities that enabled her to leave a good "inheritance to her children's children."
E.S. HOBSON.
LABORN PRICE was born in Marion District, S.C., May 16, 1827, and died in Putnam county, Fla., December 24, 1876.
Brother Price moved to Florida in 1859, joined the Methodist E. Church when 17 years old, and from that time till his death, he maintained a consistent Christian life.
As a member of the Church he was faithful never missing an opportunity of attending church.
He was liberal in supporting the cause of Christ, was always glad to see his preacher come to his house, which was indeed a preaches home.
He was very fond of prayer, especially family and private prayer.
He erected a family altar, and kept it up for many years; before he died he told his sons "never let the family altar go down, for said he, there I have spent the happiest hours of my life."
Brother Price was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters.
The eldest daughter preceded him to the better land.
No father was ever more successful in training his children than brother Price.
He provided well for his family both temporarily and spiritually--he lived to see all of his children members of the M.E. Church except one whom he request to join on his death bed.
Truly brother Price lived and died in the Lord.
As a citizen he was honored and beloved.
He was buried with Masonic honors in the presence of a large gathering after which Dr. McRae delivered an eulogy to his memory.
ROBERT D. GENTRY
Obituary of Moses Smith, Southern Christian Advocate, Methodist Newspaper which began June 24, 1837
SCA: 8/7/1856
Vol X, No. 9 page 36, Col. 1
Died, in Marion, S.C. June 30, 1846, the Rev. Moses Smith, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
He was a native of North Carolina, joined the M. E. Church when he was about twenty-one years of age, and was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Little Pee Dee Circuit, June 21st, 1806, George Daugherty being the presiding Elder.
He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Asbury, Jan. 10, 1813--in a little shop by the way-side in Marion.
This is stated on the parchment, in the Bishop's own handwriting.
He was ordained Elder by Bishop George, Jan. 14th, 1821.
Father Smith joined the church in those days that tried men's souIs.
He had much opposition, but "none of those things moved him."
His unaffected piety soon gained the esteem of his enemies.
His cheerfulness seasoned with all the gentleness of humble love, his meek wisdom, his even stability, and unyielding integrity, won upon the affections, and secured to him the friendship of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
He was a man of honest heart, plain address, good utterance, and sound judgment.
He had to contend with the privations of poverty all his life, but he always appeared "contented with such things as he had."
He had a heart that overflowed with gratitude, for what many would call small favours.
He never thought of an injury, and never forgot a favour.
Although he lived almost to a "patriarch's length of days," yet his mind retained its vigour and strength.
He was so afflicted the last few years of his life with asthma that he was not able to preach.
It nearly destroyed his voice, so that,
"His big manly voice
Turning again toward childish treble pipes,
And whistled in its sound."
His last illness was short; but he suffered extremely; appeared conscious all the while, that the attack was to terminate his sufferings.
A few moments before his departure, he called his family around him, exhorted them, gave directions concerning his burial, selected the text for his funeral sermon, and bade them a final farewell, then fell asleep in Jesus.
Thus lived and died old Father Smith, universally beloved, and regretted "Farewell: thy cherished image dear, Shall many a heart, with pious love revere."
Colin Murchison
Marion, July 18, 1846
Marion Star, Wednesday, Nov 6, 1918 --
J. R. SNIPES
James R. Snipes, a respected merchant of Marion, died at his home at the old Fair Ground Friday, after an attack of influenza, followed by pneumonia. He had been ill only a short time and the announcement of this death came as a surprise except to those close to him, and to them it was a great shock.
Mr. Snipes was an unusually strong and vigorous man and it was surprising how quickly he fell a victim to disease.
or several years he had been successfully conducting a small mercantile business in the eastern part of the city.
He was highly respected by his community and was considered an honest, upright man.
He was a member of several secret orders and was a faithful member of Spring Branch Methodist Church.
The funeral was conducted by Dr. J. W. Daniel at Rose Hill Cemetery Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Snipes is survived by his wife and 8 children.
