MARTHA ANGELINE SEARS
SEARS, BLAIR
Posted By: Nancee Seifert <iggy29@grm.net>
Date: 11/1/2009 at 12:57:39
Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September 26, 1912The passing of Miss MARTHA ANGELINE SEARS from earthly to Heavenly service
and enjoyment has served to call special attention to her rare virtues and
charming Christian personality. She has surely left an indelible influence
for good upon a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and upon those
related to her by ties of blood.It has been said that to secure the highest type of character and culture,
the work must have begun back in the fourth generation. This truth has been
verified in the life of Miss SEARS, for she was an heir of a noble ancestry,
not of titles, but of good deeds and Christian character. She was descended
from the kind of families which make what is noble in our country, refined
in our homes and uplifting in our social life. The SEARS family is one of
the old and substantial families of Decatur County, respected and honored
wherever known.Miss MARTHA, as she was usually called, was the youngest of ten children of
JACOB and EDITH SEARS, and was born August 27, 1843, near West Point, Lee
County, Iowa. Only the oldest of these children, Mrs. SUSAN BLAIR, is now
living. She resides in Leon, Iowa. Miss MARTHA was about twelve years old
when her parents moved to Decatur County, where she lived until her death.
For many years she was a school teacher and was specially adapted to this
work and was most successful in it. She loved children with a constant
affection and had that peculiar insight into childish nature and its needs,
which drew the children to her as to a magnet. Many of her pupils can trace
their real desire to learn and their appreciation of the nobler things of
life to the teaching and influence of Miss MARTHA in her work as a school
teacher.In the home she was truly a guardian. Those who were beneficiaries of her
Ministry know and appreciate her worth. She gave to home that peculiar
atmosphere, which makes home attractive and unlike any other place. She was
a faithful member of the Brethren Church, being one of the charter members
of the church at Crown Chapel. The secret of her sweet life is found in her
devotion to her Master whose spirit animated her and gave her life strength
and beauty.It is no wonder that when such a one passes away a wide circle of friends
gather at her funeral to pay respect to her memory and to mourn their loss.
The memory of her will always be uplifting. Many brought flowers and tribute
of tears to her funeral as all realized keenly that her ministry here on
earth had ended, but hope filled the hearts of all as they also realized
that she had entered upon the ministry above where the angels sing and the
redeemed rejoice.Funeral services were held at the home conducted by Evangelist G.T. Ronk of
the Brethren Church, and the body of Miss MARTHA ANGELINE SEARS was laid to
rest in the Brethren Cemetery northeast of Leon.We extend our sympathy to Mrs. SUSAN BLAIR, the only surviving sister, and
to nieces and nephews, in this time of their irreparable loss and deep
sorrow and we thank God for the life of this noble woman."She hath done what she could"
Was the tribute
Of pastor and neighbor and friend.
As she lay 'mid profusion of flowers,
So peaceful and calm at the end.Her frail and delicate body
Enclosing a big, loving heart,
Responding to each call of duty.
So eager to do well her part.The poor, sick, and the friendless,
As well as the ones she held dear,
Alike felt the warm rays of sunshine
She shed upon all who came near.May we, who loved, and who
Mourn her,
Always loyal, unselfish and good,
So live that 'twill be true of us also.
That we have done what we could.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
October 31, 2009
iggy29@grm.netShe is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, also known as the Dunkard or
Brethren.
Decatur Obituaries maintained by Stacey McDowell Dietiker with the
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package
by WebJourneymen