Rachel E. (Worthing) Patterson (1888)

PATTERSON, WORTHING

Posted By: Cay Merryman (email)
Date: 8/2/2004 at 21:08:25

Newspaper Unknown
March 1888

The death of Mrs. Rachel E. Patterson, wife of G. W. Patterson, which occurred last Friday afternoon, has cast a gloom over that home and started a tear in the eye of many a sympathizing friend and neighbor. Although she had been ill for some time her death was somewhat unexpected even to her closest friends and relatives. During the last 11 years she has been subject to periodical attacks of heart disease, but by careful nursing of her strength she recovered from each succeeding one. A short time since she was attacked with typhoid fever, and in her enfeebled condition was unable to rally. Late on Thursday night she became seriously worse, and died, as stated, paralysis of the heart being the immediate cause of death.

Miss Rachel E. Worthing was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 12th day of July 1858, and at the time of her death was in her thirtieth year. She was married on September 5, 1875, to Mr. G. W. Patterson, then of Guernsey county. They moved from Ohio to Iowa in the spring of 1880 and settled in Ohio township, where, with the exception of about seven months spent in Ohio, she lived until her death.

She leaves the now sadly bereaved husband, ........ boys and a baby girl this side of her heavenly home. Deceased lived a consistent member of the Ohio Baptist church, and her mourning kindred have the consolation of believing that she is now enjoying the blessings of a better life. While having many reasons for desiring to live, yet she felt that if it were the Lord's will to take her home she was willing to go. She said: "I prayed and I am not afraid to die." Well may we say, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. They rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Rev. Chas. Hoover preached the funeral sermon in the Ohio Baptist church on Sunday, to a large saddened congregation after which the remains were laid away to rest in the little cemetery near by.

As a model mother, wife, housekeeper and neighbor, she was widely known, loved and respected, and when she bade this life farewell a tender cord was touched in many hearts. Her earthly pilgrimage is ended, and she has entered into the full realities of the unknown world and unfolded the great secret of a future existence. (burial was at the Worthing cemetery)