SPERRY, Malinda 1857-1899

SPERRY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Gone To Her Reward

The death of Mrs. J. H. Sperry occurred at her home in the north part of town last Sunday evening at nine o'clock, February 19, 1899. Her illness, bordering on to death lasted for about ten days. Perhaps no one ever fought off the dread enemy with a greater hope for recovery or a more fervent prayer to live for the sake of her husband and little ones than she. Her home with all its luxuriant and pleasant surroundings and her family just at the age to be most enjoyed was enough to make any mother's heart yearn for a continuance of the material blessings with which providence had favored her. The prayers of her friends and loved ones were added to her own supplications to the Throne of Grace for the staying of the reaper's hand but the wisdom of Providence that exceeds all human understanding decreed that she should be transplanted to a higher and nobler existence to reap the reward of a life's faithful service to her Master and King. Her example of christian fortitude and courage is the best heritage she could possibly have left her five children who will miss her motherly council and sympathies and who will have only the remembrance of what she has been to shelter them from the storms and temptations of life. Around her knee their nightly prayers were said and their childish songs were sung, and into her ears they poured their griefs and her sympathizing heart shared their every sorrow. But these things will be no more for them. Others may sympathize and others may advise, but they will never again know the loving interest of a tender mother's care. Let them cherish her memory and treasure up the sweet influence she has had over them in their early years and profit by her wise council and christian example and perchance some day when the world has forgotten her they may turn to her with longing hearts in the words of the poet:
"Backward, turn backward, oh time in your flight
Make me a child again just for to-night,
Mother come back from the echoless shore;
Take me in your arms again, just as of yore."

The funeral services were conducted from the home at three o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. McKim of Cedar Rapids, preaching the discourse from Hebrews 4:9, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." Rev. McKim performed the ceremony that bound for life the deceased and her devoted husband whose heart is broken and whose life has received its first real shadow in her death. His faith in God and his wisdom and his devotion to the cause of his Lord has prepared him for the ordeal through which he is now called to pass and that Providence may sustain and comfort him in his sore trial is the prayer of every heart in the community. Rev. McKim spoke words of comfort and consolation and dwelled especially upon the purity and beauty of Mrs. Sperry's christian character. She was a most devoted member of the M.E. church and took an active interest in all the departments of the work. The church and Sunday school will miss her and a large circle of warm friends will sadly mourn her death. Mrs. McKim sang a comforting solo and Dr. Fellows and Rev. Marsh assisted in the services. The flowers were beautiful and a number of choice blooms were added by friends outside the family. The high school sent flowers and Prof. Stout and the Senior class of which Master Arthur Sperry is a member, attended the funeral services in a body.

The deceased was born in Fairfield township, Grundy county, Ia., November 20, 1857, and during her early life she taught school. When a mere girl she was converted, since which time she has been a devoted member of the M.E. church. She was married December 25, 1879, to Jas. H. Sperry and for the past sixteen years they have resided in Grundy Center.

She leaves behind her five children, the youngest being but two weeks old, her husband, J. H. Sperry, her aged mother and many other relatives and friends. The best medical skill was employed to save her but it was of no avail and the bereaved ones must submissively bow to the will of Him who doeth all things well.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 February 1899, pg 4