Mary Heald 1831-1894

HEALD, TOWNSEND, FOLSOM

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/24/2018 at 09:23:38

13 September 1894 - West Branch Times

On the morning of Aug. 31st, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, Mary T. Heald, wife of Joel Heald of Oak Grove.

Like a shock came the words that bright morning to neighbors and friends, "Mary Heald is dead." On the preceding Sabbath she occupied her accustomed place in the church, leaving, however, when the first service was over, saying to a friend that she did not feel well enough to remain to the Sabbath School.

Never strong, yet she was always cheerful, only saying she was "tired," or did not feel "quite so well as usual," Ever thoughtful of others, patient and uncomplaining, her family and near friends did not realize the swift approach of the silent messenger, though many thought she was growing more frail, and might not be long with us

On Monday a friend said to her, "I fear if thee does not get something to help thee soon, thee will not be here long." She answered, "Perhaps it may be so, but it will be as the Lord wills. He knows what is best and it will be alright anyway."

Mary Townsend, daughter of Thomas and Ruth Townsend of Knox county, Ohio, was born June 22nd, 1831. The child of God-fearing parents, who conscientiously trained their own family "in the fear and admonition of the Lord." Mary developed a strong and beautiful Christian character, which was shown by loving service wherever she knew her Lord would have her go. A life-long member of the society of Friends, she was frequently called to places of responsible service in the church, which she accepted with meekness, and faithfully performed the duties entrusted to her. It was said of her in church work, as in other ways, that "her counsel was wisdom and her judgments just."

In 1865 she felt called to the work of teaching the freedmen, and in the name of Christ she went among the poor and down-trodden of the despised race, pointing them to the "Lamb of God" who not only "taketh away the sin of the world," but causeth his light to shine into the darkest heart.

After two years of service in Richmond Va., her health failed so that she was obliged to return to her home in Ohio, coming later to Cedar Co., Iowa, where after a few years, in 1874, she became the wife of Joel Heald and a second mother to his four sons, W. J. and E. L. Heald of the Farquahar Heating Co. of Des Moines, A. W. Heald of Marshalltown, and R. E. Heald of Grinnell. It would be impossible to use the word step-mother in this relationship, for the faithful manner in which she discharged her duties in this relation has been rewarded by a respectful tenderness on the part of the sons, as beautiful as rare. The only child born to the union, a daughter, Lizzie, now in her twentieth year, was a new tie of affection in this family.

The funeral services were held at the Friends' meeting house at Sugar Creek, conducted by B. G. Neville, a minister and friend of many years, assisted by B. Hampton, Joseph Arnold and others, all bearing witness to the power and sweetness of a pure Christian life.

"She hath done what she could" was the fitting text for the funeral sermon. The four sons acted as pall-bearers, assisted by a nephew, Thomas Hathaway of West Branch, Iowa, and David McDowell, an esteemed neighbor. Tenderly and reverently did they bear the precious burden to its final resting place.

The bereaved husband and children have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends and neighbors, who are also bereaved of a friend and counselor. We shall miss her in the church and in our homes. But we mourn not as those who have no hope, for we know that we shall meet her again in that land where "parting is no more."

Besides husband and children, Mrs. Heald leaves two brothers and one sister, James Townsend of Pasadena, Cal., Asa Townsend, of North Branch, Kas. and Mrs. Lettie Folsom of Garden City, Kas. --The Grinnell Herald