Mrs. Lafe "Emily" (Otis) Mathews, Jr. died 1918

MATTHEWS, OTIS, FISH

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 7/26/2019 at 09:19:30

Mrs. L. Mathews, Jr., passed away at her home on Union street last Wednesday night, April 10th, after waging an heroic fight against an attack of pneumonia which threatened dire results from the very outset. Mrs. Matthews was taken ill during the night of April 3rd, after having attended a meeting of the Pythian Sisters, of which order she was the head officer. The disease progressed rapidly in spite of the most careful treatment and care.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. Rev. C. K. Hudson had charge of the services. Interment was made in Oakland cemetery. The services at the church were largely attended by friends of the family, and the floral tributes were profuse and beautiful.

Emily Otis was born in Manchester March 11th, 1878. She grew to young womanhood in this city, and received her early education in the Manchester schools, graduating from the High school. For several years she taught in the Manchester schools. She was united in marriage with Mr. Lafe Matthews, Jr., in Dubuque on February 27th 1909, and to them were born two children, Edward Lawrence, aged six years, and Frances Louise, aged five.

Mrs. Matthews is survived by her husband, the two little children, the father, Mr. C. B. Otis, and two sisters, Miss Blanche Otis, of this city, and Mrs. Myrtle Fish of Estancia, New Mexico. Mrs. Matthews was a member of the Pythian Sisters, and was recorder of the Royal Neighbors, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Peculiar sadness accompanies the death of Mrs. Matthews. Never in all this world was she needed more than at this time. Why this devoted mother should be taken from two little children so dependent upon her loving ministrations, is one of the mysteries too deep for explanation. No one, however loving and faithful, can fill her place in the home circle which has been so cruelly broken.

There is hushed on earth,
A voice of gladness-there is veiled a face,
Whose parting leaves a dark and silent place,
By the once joyous hearth.
A smile hath passed which filled its home with light,
A soul whose beauty made the smile so bright,
Another gem is in the Saviour's crown,
Another soul in Heaven

Manchester Democrat - Manchester, Iowa - April 17, 1918