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Grace Lisle (Armstrong) Williams (1938)

ARMSTRONG, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 5/31/2007 at 11:17:51

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, March 17, 1938
Page 3, Columns 4, 5 & 6

County Briefs – St. Charles

Mrs. E. E. Williams Dies

Grace Lisle Armstrong, only daughter of James O. Armstrong and Margaret A. James-Armstrong was born at Wabash, Indiana, on July 1, 1879 and died in the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines March 8, at the age of 58 years, 8 months and 7 days.

She came with her parents and brother Earl J., In 1881 to Iowa, for stopping a short time in Osceola. At that time the Narrow Gauge railroad was building from that city to Des Moines. Her father was given the position as station agent at Truro so they moved to that village. Her mother operated a hotel while her father was agent.

In 1891 the family moved to St. Charles to engage in the hotel business. They built a new hotel which is still standing and became known as the best hostelry in southern Iowa. Here she grew to womanhood, attending the public school, the Sunday school and church and other activities of the growing village, thus by the genial disposition, winning grace and quiet composure, made many friends which was hers to the end.

While yet in her teens, she united with the Methodist Episcopal church of St. Charles in 1895 under the Ministry of Rev. Evan. She remained a faithful member until her removal to Des Moines when she transferred her membership to that city. At the time of her death she was a member of the Valley Junction Methodist church.

She had been a member for many years of Model Chapter No. 174 Order of the Eastern Star of St. Charles. One year she served as worthy matron, the highest honor that could be conferred upon her by the local chapter.

She was united in marriage to Elias E. Williams at the home of her parents in St. Charles November 29, 1905, the ceremony being performed by Rev. W. W. Williams, father of the groom. They at once went to housekeeping in the home in the West part of St. Charles, which was their home until their moving to Des Moines in 1926.

One child, Roberta, was born to them but it’s life on earth was of only a short time.

She is survived by her husband, E. E. Williams and brother, Earl J. Armstrong who for several years has made his home with her and husband. Also she leaves many friends here and in Des Moines. Her father died in June 1919 and her mother in July 1928. Both lie in the St. Charles cemetery.

For several years she had been a sufferer, but she kept on, uncomplaining, doing what she could to help her husband to keep the home. Only last Sunday she consented to be taken to the hospital where she was cared for until the end came, quietly and peacefully about 5:45 last Tuesday morning.

After her decease, while relatives and friends were looking over things at the home, they discovered a note book in which she had copied verses from the Bible. She also had made her own funeral arrangements, selecting the songs to be song and the persons who were to sing them.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in St. Charles at two o’clock Thursday afternoon and burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery. The singers were the Mesdames Carrie Guilliams, Mary Crawford, Dolores Kale and Ethel Brooks, with Mrs. Arlie Johnson at the piano. The pallbearers were Dr. Brooks, H. A. Mueller, James Clanton, Joseph Picken, Harvey Neal and W. H. Breeding.

Rev. Lawton of the West Des Moines Methodist church conducted the funeral services, assisted by Rev. Elmer Patterson of the St. Charles Methodist church.
________________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, March 16, 1938

MRS. E. E. WILLIAMS DIES IN DES MOINES

Long-Time Resident of St. Charles Succumbed Last Week

St. Charles--(Special)--Mrs. E. E. Williams, a resident of St. Charles for most of her life, died at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines on Tuesday of last week. She was 58 years of age.

Mrs. Williams was the former Grace Armstrong, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Armstrong, and came to this community as a child with her parents. She was reared and attended the public schools here, and became widely known through her community activities. She possessed a beautiful alto singing voice and was much in demand in musical circles.

She was married to E. E. Williams of this community, and they were the parents of one child, a daughter, Roberta, who died at birth.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams had lived in Des Moines for the past 10 years. She had been in failing health for some time.

She is survived by her husband, and a brother, Earl J. Armstrong.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in St. Charles last Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Lawton of the West Des Moines Methodist church, assisted by the Rev. L. D. Patterson of the local church. Burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery.

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