Lela Maxine Perkins 1919-1920

PERKINS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/1/2011 at 18:17:41

Lela Maxine Perkins
Lela Maxine Perkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. N. Perkins, was born February 3, 1919, at Conway, Taylor County, Iowa, and died at the family home five miles northeast of Estherville, Iowa, about 3:00 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 13, 1920. Age 1 years, two months and ten days.

Mr. and Mrs. Perkins moved with their family from Taylor County to Emmet County since the first of March and had scarcely arrived when smallpox broke out in the home which prevented any large acquaintance in their location during the few weeks that have elapsed, however, those who were situated so that such was possible have been very kind and helpful to the family and upon hearing of the death of the little child were anxious to do any thing that might be done to assist the stricken family.

Little Lela Maxine, though she had an attack of smallpox suffered but little from that cause, her death being caused by other complications. She was a beautiful little girl and just at the age when children are so attractive – just beginning to walk and to talk plainly. She was a member of the Cradle Roll department of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Sunday School in the old home community where her parents had previously lived. She leaves to mourn her early death father and mother, and one brother, Harry, eleven year old, also a grandfather who was living with her parents, besides other relatives living in other parts of the state.

Funeral services were held from the family home on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. J. W. LaGrone of the Methodist Episcopal church having charge of the services, the body was buried in Oak Hill cemetery. Many beautiful flowers were brought by neighbors who deeply sympathized with the sorrowing family. The spontaneous response by the neighbors upon learning of the sad death of the little girl and their readiness and desire to help the stricken family deeply touched Mr. and Mrs. Perkins who wish to express their appreciation of these many kind acts. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 21, 1920)