Ruth Stephens

STEPHENS, MCCHESNEY, UTTER, MCLAUGHLIN, GUTHRIE, GRAVILLE, COCKLIN

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/11/2018 at 14:10:00

Wapello Republican, May 2, 1935, page 1

Mrs. Ruth Stephens, daughter of J. T. Stephens and Rebecca McChesney, was born in Mercer county, Ill., October 13, 1848, and passed from this earthly life at her home four miles north of here after a long illness, at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 22, 1935, aged 86 years, 6 months and 16 days.

Her family moved to Toolesboro in 1860, and she was united in marriage to David Stephens,( error in publication, "Dec. 18, marriage to David Stephens, Dec. 24,years ago.") Eight children survive as follows: Mrs. Jennie Utter, Mrs. Lillian McLaughlin and Mrs. Nellie Guthrie, Wapello; Mrs. Lydia Graville, Randolph, Wis.,Jesse, Muscatine, Chester, at home; Glen and Mrs. Fern Cocklin, Grandview.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the home, with Rev. Treverton Warren officiating. Burial was at the Grandview cemetery.

Mother Stephens
Wapello Republican, May 9, 1935, page 4

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the home, with Rev. Treverton Warren officiating. Burial was at the Grandview cemetery.

Mother Stephens was the last survivor of the old people in the neighborhood, when she came as a bride when she was married, to a home 2 ½ miles south of Grandview which had been prepared for her by her husband, and has resided there continuously, except one year, which was spent in Grandview after her husband's death September 1, 1912.

Mother Stephens was a wonderful woman. She entered upon her duties unafraid, fearless, courageously, never faltering. She was a kind loving wife and mother, never tiring of well doing, and was sent for, far and near in the neighborhood, in time of sickness and to sit by the bedside when death entered. In the older days when the doctor was not available as today, many a little life has been ushered into the world with her help, yet never neglecting her own little flock.

She had a kind and loving disposition, doing her part in a quiet, unassuming way. It can be well said, "Verily she shall receive her reward." She was converted and united with the M. E. church at Grandview during the Smith Brothers revival, the winter of 1886, and has been a faithful member ever since, attending services as long as her health would permit and an active member of the Missionary Society and Bible Class until the past year. She will be missed from the old home by her loved ones but was willing to go, speaking of it at different times saying she was ready and unafraid. She could leave us no greater heritage than her beautiful, kind and unselfish life. Thus the passing of a noble woman.

The pallbearers were the same as the ones that carried their father to his last resting place twenty years ago. Three sons and three sons-in-laws. Two songs, "Face to Face" and "Asleep in Jesus" were beautifully sung by Earl Smith and Wife. Mrs. O'Neal, a neighbor was in charge of the flowers.

"No one knows the silent heartaches
Only those who have lost can tell
Of the grief that's borne in silence
Of the one we loved so well.
More and more each day we'll miss you,
Some may think the wound will heal;
Little do they know the sorrow
That's within our hearts concealed.
Mother dear, we are lonesome.
And we'll miss your loving face
Your sweet way, we'll always remember
And there's no one to take your Place."