Booth, Mrs. N. A. 1854-1939

BOOTH, BOOTHE, IRWIN, STEVENS, DU ROCHER

Posted By: Teddy Van Hoosen (email)
Date: 11/1/2007 at 12:50:09

Last Rites For Mrs. N.A. Booth Held Saturday

Died At Home In Colfax Following A Lingering Illness.

Last rites for Mrs. N. A. Booth, 84, were held Saturday afternoon from the Baptist Church with the pastor, Rev. Albert van der Ploeg, officiating.

Mrs. Booth, better known to her many friends as Grandma both had been a resident of Colfax many years. In late years she had been an invalid, but continued a keen interest in her family, neighbors, friends and the community.

Nancy Ann Irwin, daughter of David and Elizabeth Irwin was born in Athens County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1854 and passed away at her home in Colfax at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 13 days.

She was married to Andrew Franklin Booth May 8, 1873. To this union were born six children, two daughters and four sons. She moved with her family to Iowa in 1877 and has made Colfax and vicinity her home since. She was a regular attendant until illness prevented.

She was preceded in death by her husband and two daughters, and one son; also three sisters and two brothers. Besides rearing her own family, she raised her granddaughter, Mrs. Jessie Stevens.

She leaves to mourn her loss, three sons, David and Alfred of Colfax and Albert of Washington, D.C., 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild, three brothers, Isaac of Bakersfield, Cal., Will of Des Moines, Hull of Colfax, a sister Ella DuRocher of Colfax, besides a host of nieces and nephews.

Grandma Booth had been blind and in a wheel chair for years. She was very patient during all her years of affliction and sickness. The welfare of her loved ones was always foremost in her thoughts. She will be missed by a host of friends and neighbors.

The following poem was composed and presented to Grandma Booth on Christmas Day, 1937, by one of her granddaughters: -

A Salute to Grandma

Little lady, sweet and fair, wrinkled brow, and soft grey hair,
Shining eyes, alight with wondrous
Faith and Love,
You have met life's joys and tears,
Uncomplaining, through the years,
Put your hope and trust alone in
God above!
Now you sit serenely there,
Blind and crippled, in your chair.
You have fought the fight, your
course is almost run!
Still you're happy, smiling, gay,
Burn your candle night and day,
Leading those in darkness, out into
the sun!
So, this day of all the year, I salute you, Grandma dear,
You have been my inspiration, and
my guide!
earthly cares I do not fear, God is
ever with me here,
And I'll meet you when we've crossed the Great Divide!

Music was furnished by Mrs. Ida Helming, Mrs. John Rinker, Gomer Williams and Louis Edwards Jr., with Mrs. George Rinker accompanist. They sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock of Ages." Miss Geraldine Husson sang as a solo "In The Garden."

Those in charge of the flowers were: Mrs. Earl Ellsworth, Mrs. Ed Hodgson and Mrs. Clarence Main.

Pall bearers were: Joe Stevens, M. Wade, Fred Stevens, Earl Ellsworth, Clarence Main and Ed Hodgson.

Burial was in the Colfax cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank all the friends and neighbors, Baptist ladies, Knights of Pythias for their words of sympathy during the illness and death of our mother; also for the beautiful floral tributes.

The Boothe boys and Jessie.

Paper unnamed, but possibly The Colfax Clipper or Newton (IA) Daily News

Transcriber note: Cemetery records, tombstone and the above thank you in the paper have
the last name spelled Boothe. Transcribed as was in the original obituary.