Terrell, Rev. Melissa 1834-1924

TERRELL, TIMMONS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 10/27/2014 at 11:38:19

(From the files of Lillian Terrell McNeal, granddaughter of Dr. C.C. Terrell)

The Montezuma (IA) Republican

DEATH OF MRS. MELISSA TERRELL

Mrs. Melissa Terrell died at the Odd Fellos Home at Mason City, Ia., May 10, 1924, aged 90 years and 3 months. She was born in Clinton County, Ohio. In 1864 she was married to W.H.H. Timmons, and to this union was born one son, C. Orlando Timmons, who died in June 1920?.

In 1883 she married Dr. C.C. Terrell at Forest Home, Iowa. After his death in 1898 she made her home with her son until circumstances compelled her to go to the Odd Fellows Home in 1919.

Mrs. Terrell was the daughter of a minister and learned her first words from the Bible. This study of the scriptures was kept up during her long life. She began to preach when yet in her teens and at the age of 22 was ordained a regular minister of the Christian Church, being the first woman to be ordained in this denomination and the second of any in the United States. For more than forty years she had charges in the various cities until advanced age caused her to retire from active service.

After services at the I.O.O.F. home, her daughter-in-law, Mrs. S.F. Timmons, accompanied the body to Montezuma, Ia., and services were held at the Christian church at Forest Home which was filled with relatives and old friends whose pastor she was for many years.