Hattie Elizabeth (Williams) Walker (1921)

WALKER, WILLIAMS, PRESTON, MORELAND

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 5/2/2014 at 09:34:46

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, February 17, 1921

Wife and Mother is Called Home

Mrs. I. B. Walker Answers Dread Summons Wednesday Afternoon. Community Shocked by Death of Fine Woman After Brief Illness.

The dark shadow of death again visited an Earlham home this week, taking one near and dear, the very heart of the little family circle of Mr. I. B. Walker. Scarcely can one comprehend the bitterness of the blow, this separation unto eternity, without having at some time encountered it. These two had been man and wife and sweethearts for almost thirty years. They had reared a family who had themselves set out on life’s great adventure. To them remained the quiet --- of life and the enjoyment of the fruits of their years of toil and sacrifice. But it was not to be. The little wife and mother was called on, obedient to that Divine man whose method we cannot know, but only grope for through a mist of tears, trusting that it is for the best. Truly man was born but to die, and the sweetest of associations ends only in heartache immeasurable. Yet death brings us a message, too, for the poignancy of separation but ---- upon the truth and love can never die, and that the parting will end with the dawn.

It was the suddenness of Mrs. Walker’s passing that made the heart wrench ---- to the husband and children. Last Friday she returned from a visit with her grandson at the hospital in Morris, Ill., in apparently perfect health. Not until Sunday noon did symptoms appear that indicated the presence of disease. The physician was called and pronounced the trouble erysipelas. Tuesday the patient was much improved and in good spirits. But Wednesday morning the dread cloud gathered. A dramatic complication developed and swept aside nature’s defenses like a prairie fire. At noon Mrs. Walker was still conscious, and when a nurse was called at one o’clock, she could still speak. Louise Moreland arrived at two o’clock after a desperate trip from Macksburg her mother had passed into the state of coma from which she never rallied. The inflammation of throat membranes advanced rapidly and medical aid gathered from every available source was equally ---------- to arrest the process of dissolution. She died about five o’clock Wednesday afternoon. To the bereaved husband and children is left only the memory of a dear little wife and mother whom they can never see again in this world. Truly a memory to cherish, that of such a mother as this.

Funeral services are to be held at the home at 8:15 a.m. Friday, after which the body will be taken to Mazon, Ill. for burial. Following is the life history of Mrs. Walker, to be read at her funeral:

Hattie Elizabeth Willams, daughter of Samuel and Lucia Williams, was born at Morris, Grundy Co., Ill., August 12th, 1857, and passed away at her home in Earlham, February 16th, 1921 at the age of 63 years, 6 months, and 4 days.

On November 2nd, 1881, she was united in marriage to I. B. Walker, at Mazon, Illinois. To this union were born four children: Maurice M. and Russell L. of Mazon, Illinois, Mrs. Anna L. Preston, of Earlham, and Mrs. Louise Moreland, of Macksburg, Iowa.

Before her marriage she taught school for several years in her native county, and afterwards lived on a farm south of Mason until six years ago when her family moved to this state.

During her girlhood she belonged to the Presbyterian church, but later went with her husband to the Methodist Episcopal church of which she was a faithful and devoted member to the last.

She was a most enumerated wife and mother, unselfish, hopeful, joyful, always seeing the bright side of things. She was a stranger to unkind words, and was never happier than when doing service for others, and for her Master. May it be said of her as it was of her who anointed the feet of her Lord, “She hath done what she could.” Her last hours were in keeping with her life. She departed in peace and quiet.

The body will be taken to the old home in Illinois for the last rites.

Gravestone Photo
 

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