Davis, Irene 1877-1898

DAVIS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/26/2005 at 13:30:07

The Newton [IA] Record Thursday, May 19, 1898
A Sweet Young Spirit Called to the Great Beyond
Davis, Irene

Mary Irena Davis, whose untimely death we mourn today, was born March 8, 1877. On Friday evening, May 13, when the day was fast drawing to a close her spirit took its flight to the better home above, thus ending a short but beautiful life. She was just 21 years, 2 months and 5 days old.

She has been in poor health since last September. It was thought by her physician and many friends that a change of climate might prove beneficial; accordingly in January she and her mother went to Raton, New Mexico. The change helped her some but, not recovering as rapidly as was wished, they went to Pagosa Springs, Col. She enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery, but it did not bring back the glow of health to her cheeks. It seems Death had marked her for his own and all that loving hands could do could not keep her with us. Irena and her mother returned April 29, that the last weeks might be spent with relatives and friends. She was one of Jasper County’s best teachers and much beloved by her pupils as was shown by their kindness during her illness.

She leaves a father, mother, two sisters and many, many friends. But they mourn not as those who have no hope as Irene was converted and joined the Christian Church when she was thirteen and those who knew her, know she was an exemplary Christian. While she desired to live, as life was bright before her, she several times expressed her willingness to go if it was the Lord’s will. During all her illness she never murmured, but was always patient and cheerful. She is not dead but sleepeth. Her death has brought heaven nearer us, and although gone, the memory of her noble Christian life shall ever live. There is a place vacant in the home, the church, and the schoolroom and society, but she is happy in the Heavenly Home on high.

“As a glad dream of slumber, which wakens to bliss,
She has passed to the world of the holy from this,
She hath passed ­but oh, how sweet as the flowers in bloom.
From her last lonely dwelling ­the dust of her tomb
The charm of her virtues, as Heaven’s own breath,
Shall rise like an incense from darkness and death.”.

Funeral services were held at Hixson Grove Chapel, Sunday morning at 11 o’clock conducted by Rev. Elias Handy of the M. E. Church, his text being John 11:19, “Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” It was the most eloquent and touching discourse, paying in fitting words a beautiful tribute to the beautiful life of the dear one whose body lay before him in her casket of spotless white almost hidden beneath a wealth of floral offerings, the gifts of loving friends. The house was filled to overflowing with those who had known Irene from childhood. The remains were laid to rest in Hixson Grove Cemetery. The grave was lined with snowy white, mingled with flowers and evergreens.

Originally submitted on Wed Aug 28 18:35:22 2002