MARY A. (CREES) SEARS

CREES, SEARS, SULLIVAN

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 7/12/2002 at 20:25:07

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, August 2, l923

MARY A. CREES was born August 25, l845, in Jefferson County, Iowa. She was the daughter of MR. and MRS. PHILIP CREES. When nine years old, her mother died, and she and her three younger brothers were cared for by their grandmother. Though but a child herself, she tried to take her mother's place and mother her little brothers. Her girlhood was spent mostly near Grand River.

On the 24th of March, l867, she was married to A.J. SEARS. Five children were born to them. One died in infancy. HARRY died in l895 at the age of twenty-five. Five years later, MR. SEARS died. At that time the family was living in Kansas, where they had gone in the early eighties. After the death of her husband, she made her home with GUY, the oldest son who was Dean of the Baptist College at Pella, Iowa. There was an unusual bond of love between her and GUY and his sudden death in l906 was a shock from which she never recovered. In l909, her daughter, VERTIE, died. Since that time she and her youngest daughter, FRANCES, have made their home in Leon. She has one brother, J.H. CREES, of Lineville, and his wife, ROSE, whom she raised from a little child.

MRS. SEARS lived a long, useful life. She never thought of her own comfort, but devoted her life to her family. She was a sincere Christian and a wonderful mother.

For many years she had poor health due partly to hard work in her early life, but mostly due to the grief and sorrow of losing her family. She seldom left her home, except to visit her nearest neighbors. Her circle of friends was not large, but those she had she loved intensely. She will be much missed by her closest neighbors for she lived constantly on the porch or in the yard among the flowers.

Two years ago, she fell and broke her arm and after that she seemed to grow more feeble, although she was seldom sick. A week ago on Sunday night, she had a severe attack of heart trouble from which she could not recover. She passed away at nine o'clock, Monday evening, July 23rd at her home in west Leon.

Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter, MRS. M.S. SULLIVAN, in Leon, Wednesday afternoon, July 25th, conducted by Rev. F.A. Garber. Interment was in the Lineville Cemetery by the side of her husband in the Lineville Cemetery.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July 9, 2002