Mary Frances Rees 1906-1922

REES

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/16/2018 at 09:43:10

2 February 1922 - West Branch Times

Mary Frances Rees was born near New Providence, Iowa, Dec. 26, 1906, and died in her home at West Branch, Iowa, Jan. 30, 1922, aged 15 years, 1 month and 5 days.

Frances was of a frail constitution, and suffered much from physical weakness. Her delicate condition kept her from school and from many of the activities of life which she so much enjoyed. As a child she cared but little for dolls and the usual games of childhood, but she would often sit for hours listening to Bible stories or the reading of scripture and other good books, far beyond her age in thought. Although denied the advantages of school she possessed a keen, well-developed mind, filled with knowledge gleaned from many good books. She especially loved the Bible and had committed many choice portions of it to memory, including the entire "Sermon On the Mount."

Frances loved music and she had acquired a knowledge of it that enabled her to play the piano with considerable skill. She possessed a voice, which, although not strong, was sweet and musical and gave her a power in song about the home that drew and fascinated all who heard it, but she was of too a retiring disposition to use it much in public.

She loved the church and she possessed a birth right associate membership in the Friends church, but had already at her own request, been transferred to the active list. She was an active Christian and had of late developed a gentle Christian spirit. Her voice was often heard in prayer at the family altar. In her last rational moments she affirmed many times that she loved Jesus and believed that He saved. Of the date of her conversion she had no recollection, as from earliest childhood she was taught to love Jesus and the principles of a Christian character.

Frances was the oldest of three children and her decease marks the first break in the family circle. Thus she leaves to mourn her loss, her parents, Milo E. and Cary P. Rees, one sister, Olive Mae and one brother, J. Vernon.

There has withered and died prematurely from our home a bud that was blossoming into beautiful young womanhood; but we are happy in the thought that even now it is opening anew, bright and fresh and more beautiful on the celestial shores of God's eternal home.

Funeral services were held from the Friends church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Walter Wilson. The pall bearers were six girls chosen from her Sunday school classmates.