Barber, Nellie Smith - 1869–1938

BARBER, SMITH, WALLING

Posted By: Donna Sloan Rempp (email)
Date: 3/3/2016 at 21:23:26

Mrs. Nellie (Smith) Barber, 1869–1938
A sense of personal loss settled over Monroe, Tuesday morning May 3, 1938, when it became known that during the early watches of the new born day, Mrs. Nellie Barber had departed this life. Mrs. Barber had been in failing health for some months. For several weeks before the end came she lingered with her friends and loved ones, daily drawing nearer. – “To that land where beauty cannot fade, Nor sorrow dim the eye; Where true love shall not droop nor be dismayed, And none shall ever die.
And then came the end and Mrs. Barber was not for God had called her home.
Nellie Smith, the only daughter of Rev. W. Ward and Frances (Walling) Smith was born in Delta, Wisconsin, August 23, 1869. She grew to womanhood’s estate in the parsonage home, the greater part of which was spent in the Appointments her father served as an honored member of the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
March the 22nd, 1893, Nellie Smith was married to William Phineas Barber. They began housekeeping in Waverly, Iowa. In 1919 they came to Monroe, where the Barbers continued to reside, to the end of their life’s journey. Four children, two boys and two girls, were born to bless this home. Of the four Gertrude died in infancy; Floyd and Margaret who reached manhood’s and womanhood’s estate, and also their father, were taken just a few years before the translation of Mrs. Barber. They sent on before to help the Lord prepare the heavenly house and make it Home, because He knew the little touches that she loved. Together they now dwell in the heavenly land where parting, one from the other, is unknown.
Mrs. Barber was a sweet and lovable woman, who everywhere made friends. She gave herself daily to sacrificial living. She was a patron to the best that art, music and literature offered. It can be truthfully said, “Her greatest joy in life was to help others”. This was especially true in her relation to the children and young people of the community. In service and giving, she sowed by the side of all waters that promised a return in good to humanity. She was the friend and well wisher of everyone who sought to do right, and achieve a worth while place in life. For years she served as a member of the Official Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the time of her Home–Going, she was the president of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Monroe Methodist Church. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Womans Relief Corp, the P.E.O. and the Order of the Eastern Star. Hers was a beautiful life and a peaceful passing. ‘She rests from her labors and her works do follow her.’
Mrs. Barber is survived by her son Francis and his family, which includes three grandchildren, who were the baiding joy of their esteemed grandmother. These bereaved hearts have the abiding and heart–felt sympathy of all who knew Nellie Barber.
Somewhere back of the Sunset, Where loveliness never dies, She lives in a long of glory With the blue and gold of the skies. And we who have known and loved her And whose passing has brought sad tears, Will cherish her memory always, To brighten the drifting years. – Anon
Source: Newspaper Name Unknown; __ May 1938