Stoaks, Lillie May 1876-1930

STOAKS, BURROUGHS, TURNEY, MURPHY, NEWCOMER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/6/2014 at 08:28:12

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Nov. 11, 1930

FUNERAL SERVICES
FOR MRS. L.B. STOAKS

Newburg, Ia., Nov. 10, Special:

Lillie May Stoaks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Burroughs, was born on the home farm in Hickory Grove township May31, 1876. There her girlhood years were spent amidst healthy, happy rural surroundings. There she attended country school and entered into the quiet, sturdy life of the neighborhood. Out of this wholesome environment, and the atmosphere of a fine Christian home emerged this sunny life whose gracious influence on the community has deepened with the passing years.

She was just a young girl when she united with the Hickory Grove M.E. church, and at the time of her death she was a member of the Newburg Congregational church. Between these two events stretch the years of deep but quiet devotion--years of a simple faith that was revealed in the tender love she unstintedly bestowed upon her family and friends, and in a serene walk in the ways of her God.

In 1889 the family moved to a farm a half-mile southeast of Newburg. Here on February 6, 1896, she was united in marriage to L.B. Stoaks. The young couple spent about eleven years farming in Hickory Grove township and then moved to North Dakota where they went through the hard experiences of pioneer life for seven years. Following this sojourn they settled on their present farm where they have since resided continuously except for a year's stay in Newburg. It was in this home that Mrs. Stoaks past away last Friday afternoon at the age of 54 years, 5 months and 6 days. She had been in poor health for several years, but her illness had not become acute until the last two years. She bore her affliction with patience and resignation, and maintained a cheerful spirit to the end.

Four children came to the home, two of whom died in infancy. A daughter, Mrs. Ruth Turney of Grinnell, and a son, Lloyd of Newburg survive her. Also there are still living to mourn with these her untimely and tragic going, the husband and life companion, her aged mother, Mrs. Frances Burroughs, two brothers, Eddie and Richard M. Burroughs, two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Murphy and Mrs. Nellie Newcomer and a granddaughter, Gladys Turney.

What was said of a good woman long years ago may fitly be said of her: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

The funeral, conducted by Rev. W.B. Wilson, was held at the Congregational church at Newburg Monday afternoon, and the body laid at rest beside that of her father in Hickory Grove cemetery.