Sarah Thomas 1849-1929

THOMAS, WALKER, HEALD, FAWCETT, PEARSON, HEMSTED, COULSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 11/21/2018 at 13:18:46

18 April 1929 - West Branch Times

Mrs. Pearson W. Thomas, whose illness dates back to a fall she suffered several weeks ago, and from which complications, incident to her age, arose, died at her home shortly after noon Tuesday. She was 79 years old. Funeral services are held today at 10:30 o'clock, with burial at Hickory Grove.

25 April 1929 - West Branch Times

Sarah Walker, daughter of Isaac and Lydia Walker, was born at Chester Hill, Ohio, 10 Mo., 2nd, 1849. She quietly and peacefully passed to her Heavenly home 4 Mo. 16, 1929, in her eightieth year.

With her parents, brother and sisters she came overland to Iowa in 1865. They were about four weeks making the journey.

In 1871 she was united by marriage to Pearson W. Thomas. To bless this happy home one son and four daughters came. Tacy, the youngest daughter, was taken away in young womanhood. The deceased is survived by her husband and daughters, Lydia Belle Heald, Malissa Fawcett, Miriam Pearson, all of West Branch and vicinity; and one son, W. J. Thomas of Streator, Ill.; also a foster son, J. Fred Hemsted of West Liberty; all of whom were present during the last days of their mother's illness. She also leaves four grandsons and a sister, Martha Coulson, of Strawn, Kans.

She was a birthright member of the Society of Friends and retained her membership and active interest in that religious society throughout her lifetime.

She has bequeathed the memory of a beautiful life that tends to strengthen the hope in those who are left behind that we, too, may meet our Pilot face to face, when we shall cross the bar.

It has been remarked that one felt an uplift by coming in contact and talking to her. She, having unusual love for flowers, their home was beautified with many varieties of plants then with much interest she would watch the unfolding of their blossoms, coming forth tinted and colored by the touch of the "Great Master Artist"; often being sent by her bearing a message of cheer to the homes of the sick and shut-in.

Her neighbors and many friends, to whom she was best known as "Aunt Sally" will sadly miss her pleasant smile and kindly greeting. In her quiet way she found many opportunities to encourage and help others, and her gentle influence will go down through the years blessing those who knew her best.

Funeral services were held at the home at ten-thirty o'clock 4 Mo. 18, with burial in the Hickory Grove cemetery.