Terrell, Rev. George Overton 1858-1931

TERRELL, ALLEN, MILLER, BRINKER, BROOKS, WARFIELD, JEFFRIES, BAGBY, CRANKE, COOPER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/17/2014 at 18:19:00

Rev. G. O. Terrell Passed Away in Des Moines

Was Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church for Fifteen Years

Rev. George O. Terrell, pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church of this city for the past fifteen years, passed away at his home in Des Moines, Thursday, December 10th, at the age of 72 years.

For the past six months his health has failed rapidly and the past four weeks he has been bedfast.

Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Terrell moved to Des Moines to be nearer their children, and he came back the first and third Sunday of each month to conduct the services at the local church. He has been a good shepherd to his flock and held a place of esteem not only among his own congregation, but the citizenry in general.

George Overton Terrell was born in Albermarle County, Virginia, April 10th, 1858, and departed this life at Des Moines, Iowa, December 10th, 1931, at 3:00 o’clock a.m.

From the day of his conversion, when he was but a lad of thirteen, until his death, he had been a faithful and consistent servant of God and follower of the Christ, through the various stages of Christian work, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, trustee and deacon, and for fifteen years a minister. He had given sixty years of his life to the work of the Lord.

At the time of his death, he was pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church of Colfax.

On December 29th, 1879, he was married to Elvira N. Allen. To this union there were born six children, two of them, John E. and Lillian A. have preceded their father in death. The widow, Mrs. Elvira N. Terrell, four daughters, Beatrice Miller, Adelaide Brinker, Lessie Brooks and Ethel Warfield; Mrs. Jeffries, one granddaughter, Elaine Cranke Bagby and three grandsons, George Cranke, Joseph Brooks and Franklin Cooper survive him, with other relatives and a host of friends who, while they mourn his taking, must find comfort in his own words, “I leave it all to the Lord-it has got to be-from the beginning, it was to be, and I am waiting.”

Always patient, under all circumstances, he was an uncomplaining sufferer, lending his last atom of energy to try to console his loved ones, gathered about him, and to express his tender feeling and deep appreciation for every effort made for his comfort.

So closely had he walked with God that he knew the hour of his going, and instructed those about him to send for the deacons and his pastor, that the member of his family might feel the comfort and support of that group of officers in the church, that he so fittingly called the “Arm Bearers.”

For more than fifty-one years, rev. Terrell had been a loyal Odd Fellow, advancing to the Patriarch lodge in that order, and having held the high office of District Grand Master in Iowa, for a number of years.

But to him, the ministry was his “mark of high calling,” and it was to his church and his God that he turned for spiritual strength and comfort to sustain himself and those about him, when the end was near, feeling a great joy in hearing the scripture read to him daily, and in prayers offered at his bedside by brother ministers.

As he lived, so he passed away, quietly, calmly, peacefully, all plans having been made and his going just an event in a well ordered program.

To use his own words, “Why should man fear death? For those of us who believe and keep the faith, there is no death. We go to be closer to Him.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines, with Rev. Dr. Robinson of that church officiating.

After the services in Des Moines, the body was brought to Colfax, where a short service was held at four o’clock at the Bethel Baptist Church, prior to interment, which was had at the Colfax cemetery in the family lot beside his children. ~ The Colfax (IA) Tribune, Thurs 17 Dec 1931.