Nellie (Ratliff) Mardis (1890)

KENDIG, MARDIS, RATLIFF

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 7/7/2007 at 09:57:32

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, March 21, 1890

NELLIE RATLIFF-MARDIS

The death of Mrs Nellie Ratliff-Mardis occurred on March 15, 1890, at her home in Des Moines.

She was taken suddenly ill with neuralgia of the stomach which speedily attacked her heart. The remains were brought to Winterset on Sunday by special train.
________________________

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday March 21, 1890
Page 4

In Loving Memory of Nellie Mardis

Happy memories arise of her, who on March 13th passed “Beyond the smiling and the weeping, beyond the farewell and the greeting,” to the heavenly home made possible for us all, through Divine redemption.

Nellie M. Ratliff was born October 26, 1868, in Winterset, Iowa. Her parents were rejoiced to welcome their first daughter in the home, and their love for, and pride in her, increased with each passing year. Her joyous laugh, happy face and cheering presence, made her everywhere welcome. Her friends have the consoling assurance that her life, though so brief, was a very happy one, filled, as it was, with blessings from their hands.

We remember her first as a bright faced, timid little girl, who so soon became the sprightly happy maiden, then again she appears as one of the “sweet girl graduates” in class of “87 surrounded by beautiful and rare flowers, and valuable souvenirs from admiring friends.

Next we recall her on the bridal morning, when the home of her childhood seemed a bewer of beauty adorned by loving hands and thoughtful hearts, where every luxury was provided, and handsome presents bestowed. Truly they were as happy a groom and bride “as e’er the sun shone on.” The wedding occurred December 6, 1888. Her husband, John Mardis, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mardis, of Winterset, and a successful business man of Des Moines.

It has been a pleasure for me to visit them frequently in their city home, where I was always greeted by a smile of welcome. Nellie, bright and cheerful, sometimes “just a little homesick” for father, mother or friends, yet so happy with her husband, and in arranging and rearranging her cozy rooms, and in adorning them with her own handiwork. When two months ago their baby boy came, her happiness seemed complete; and she was such a lovely, charming mother, and so proud of her boy. It touched my heart with a surange sadness as she anxiously inquired of me if I thought anything would happen to her baby, saying she was so afraid all the time, even when he was asleep. I laughingly reassured her that all young mothers were the same, little thinking that her own death, the most sad of all happenings, would so soon bereave her little one through his entire life; for even God can give us but one mother.

Her unexpected death from neuralgia and heart failure, after an illness of less than two days, with no thought of danger until a few moments previous, gave no opportunity for home friends to be with her. A sister, Leo, and her aunt, Mrs. Kendig, who lives in the city, also a neighbor and two physicians were there, and her devoted husband, but naught availed to save her precious life. Her parents, aware of her sickness, were on the way, but with no apprehension of a serious result, until met at the depot three hours after with the heart-rendering news that she was gone.

The sorrowful tidings were telephoned to Winterset, and a special train chartered for Sabbath morning, when, accompanied by mourning and sympathizing friends, her remains were taken there for burial. Carriages were at the Winterset depot, and hundreds of friends followed in sad procession to her childhood home.

The baby, a sweet, healthy little fellow, had slept all the way, until following the casket into the bereaved home, when every heart was touched by the plaintive cry of the motherless child.

The funeral took place at 2 p.m., the 17th, conducted by Rev. Mr. Herring, pastor of the Presbyterian church.

Beautiful floral emblems were given. From her class of “87, whose motto was “What Next?,” the answer seemed most appropriate in their offering of “Gates Ajar,” composed of pure white flowers. The crescent and star from home friends was lovely with white carnations and cream and white roses. Beautiful lilies and roses were in and around the casket, and all that sympathizing friends could do testified the love and respect for the beloved dead and the families of the bereaved, especially for her husband and child and her parents.

“If we could push ajar the gates of life and stand within, and all God’s workings see, we could interpret all this doubt and strife.” That arises in our hearts and we question, “why sould our dear ones be thus taken from us?” Yet we know-

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen