Hendrix, Rebecca Charlotte 1846-1923

WILLITS, HENDRIX, THORNTON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/2/2016 at 10:40:47

Obituary:

Rebecca Charlotte Willits, eldest daughter of Charles Gossage and Rachel Thornton Willits, was born in Eliza Township, Mercer County, Illinois, on the 29th of December 1846, and fell asleep January 1, 1923, being 76 years and 2 days old.

In the Spring of 1854 with her family she migrated to Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, and grew to womanhood on the farm. Her mother died when she was 17 years old, leaving her in charge of the home for three years, where she showed remarkable ability as director of the home.

In June, 1865, she was joined in marriage to William Hendrix, son of Henry Day and Theodosia Willits Hendrix, immediately locating upon the farm where she spent her life, and from where she went to glory on New Year’s day.

Mrs. Hendrix became the mother of ten children, eight of whom, with her husband, survive her. Her children are: Henry C. Hendrix of Letts, Ia.; Norbury F. Hendrix of Clinton, Iowa; Leslie B. Hendrix of Letts, Iowa; Mrs. E. B. Robertson of St. Francis, Kansas; Walter W. Hendrix of Pittsburg, Penn.; Edwin C. Hendrix of Norton, Kansas; L. Day Hendrix of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Wilmot C. Hendrix, of the old home farm.

Novello Hendrix died in early infancy. Ledru H. Hendrix enlisted in the World War and made the supreme sacrifice in Toul, France, Dec. 2, 1918, and this with the death of her grandson, Clinton Hendrix, who was killed in action in September 1918, were the sorrows of her life from which she scarcely recovered.

In 1873 she adopted Belle Barger, who has proven a most devoted daughter.

Besides her immediate children, she leaves nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Of her father’s family there were nine children; five sons and four daughters, six of whom survive her.

In early life, Mother Hendrix was converted to a religious life, under the ministry of Joseph McDowell—an itinerant pioneer Methodist minister—and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which faith she remained faithful unto the end.

During the later years, she became greatly afflicted, and for years was unable to leave the home. However, during it all, she maintained a cheerful sun-shiny disposition and was ever the life and joy of the home.

Of her it may be truthfully said, “she was a faithful devoted wife, a loving tender mother, a cheerful kind friend.”

To all her home was ever open, and to all in sorrow or need her great heart was a place of refuge.

All her children are present today, save Stella, who is detained by illness in her Kansas home.

“Rest, loving heart;
Sleep gentle eyes;
Stir not, O generous hands;
Thru the wide gates of Paradise,
Sweep softly angel bands;
The shining ones around her throng,
And up the starry way to God’s
Sweet House of Light and Song,
They bore her home today.”

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 3d, 1923, at the Letts, M.E. Church, conducted by Rev. R. L. LaMotte, assisted by Rev. J. C. Willits, of St. Joseph, Michigan, brother of the deceased. Music by the Letts Quartette.

The pall bearers were: L. E. Downer, E. S. Rabe, George Bloomer, Joe Hickey, John O’Brien and H. H. Fullerton.

Interment in the Lettsville cemetery.

Source: Letts, Iowa, Louisa County, newspaper……dated after 3 Jan 1923