Rebecca L. Johnson Hevern 1859-1886

HEVERN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Melissa Mayhew Grandt (email)
Date: 4/25/2009 at 14:17:10

Williamsburgh Journal, Williamsburgh (Iowa Co.), Iowa, 26 February 1886.

DIED.--Feb. 19th. 1886. MRS. REBECCA L. HEVERN, wife of H.B. Hevern, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Johnson, of Green Tp. Iowa County Iowa, aged 27 years and 4 months.

She was a lady of many rare mental faculties, amiable and pleasant in all the relations of life. She bore her long and trying sufferings patiently, frequently exclaiming, "It is all well with me." With full faith in a happy immortality she gently fell asleep, to wake in an elysian realm, a land of fruition, and Eden of aramanthine beauty, a paradise of ecstatic bliss, a Heaven of of immortal youth and vigor, a sun bright clime, unfading.

We extend to the bereaved, husband and friends our sincere sympathy in this the darkest hour of human sorrow.

The funeral services were held Sunday at her fathers residence, as her mother, on account of failing health was not able to visit her during her sickness, nor attend the funeral, so the remains were taken to the old home,-- but how changed, the family circle is broken, only we trust to be united again, on the Golden shores.

A short time before her death she requested her sister to sing the following hymn, which was a great favorite with her.

THE SUNNY BRIGHT CLIME,
Have you heard, have you heard.
Of that Sunny, Bright Clime?
Unknown to sorrow, unchanged by time
Where death hath no power,
Oh the mouldering frame.
Where the eye is fire and the heart is flame.

Tis,' the name of the Sunny Bright Clime,
A river of water gushes there,
'Mid scenes of beauty mildly fiar,
And thousands of forms are hovering o'ver,
The golden wave of that sunny shore,
That is found in that Sunny Bright Clime.

Ear hath not heard, Eye hath not seen,
Their changeless forms and golden sheen,
Their ensigns are waving,
Their banners unfurled,
O'er Jasper walls and gates of pearl,
That are found in that Sunny Bright Clime.

But not far away is that Sunny Bright Clime,
Unknown to sorrow unchanged by time,
Where all things pure is given,
'Tis the home of the just,
And its name is Heaven,
'Tis the name of that Sunny Bright Clime.