GRACE ELLEN (BEARD) PARSONS

BEARD, PARSONS

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/4/2002 at 22:16:30

Decatur County Journal
October 2l, l920

The pall of gloom that had hung over our town and cummunity the past wix weeks settled into the deepest sorrow, Monday morning, October l2th, l920, when it was learned that the spirit of MRS. GRACE ELLEN PARSONS had left its tenement of clay and taken the flight to its mansion above, not made with hands, eternal in Heaven.

Deceased had been in poor health the past two years, and all that medical skill, loving hearts and change of climate could do would not stay the grim reaper and he ever walked by her side awaiting his time. Last August, she with her husband and little son, started out in their car in quest of health, but the travel was too much for her frail body and they returned home some six weeks ago, and she grew rapidly worse never leaving the home until the end came. She bore her suffering without a murmur, being cheerful with those around her, and met death bravely, and if "Death loves a shining mark" he found her ready. Her spiritual edifice like her temporal one was in order.

GRACE ELLEN BEARD, the third child of JAMES THOMPSON and MARY ELIZABETH BEARD, was born in Clinton, Missouri, October 6th, l878; died at her home at Pleasanton, Iowa, October l2th, l920; age 42 years and 6 days old.

She united with the Presbyterian Church in early childhood and lived a devoted Christian life. When l4 years old her mother died leaving her the care of the home, for her father, which charge she ever was faithful.

September l6, l899, she was married to JAMES H. PARSONS, at Clinton, Mo. They soon moved to Leon, Iowa, and one year later they moved to Wick, Iowa, and eight months later they moved here to Pleasanton, Iowa, which had since been her home. On coming to Pleasanton, she united with the Christian Union Church and always took a deep interest in the church and the Sunday School. She was also a member of Voctors Chapel O.E.S. in high standing at the time of her death.

Of a timid and retiring nature she never aspired to be a leader; a true wife, an affectionate mother, a loyal friend and neighbor, a consistent follower of the Christ was her ideal of life.

As a token of the high esteem in which she was held, all of the business houses and our public and high schools were closed during the funeral service which was held at her late home, Wednesday afternoon, Oct. l4, at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Elba Dale, which was largely attended. The parting look taken, the funeral cortege wended its way to the Hamilton Cemetery where interment was made under the impressive burial ritual of the Eastern Star. The floral offering beautifully exemplified her pure Christian life.

Her husband and little son, DONALD, two brothers, HUGH BEARD, of South America, and LEE BEARD, of Waterloo, Iowa, survive her. Her parents and two brothers and one sister having preceded her to the spirit world.

GEO. A. CRAIG

Pleasanton, Iowa.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
May 4, 2002