Smith, Pearl, Miss, 1885-1934

SMITH, WOODS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, March 9, 1934:

PASSED AWAY AT ROCHESTER, MINN.

Zepher Pearl Smith passed away in a hospital at Rochester, Minn., Saturday, March 3, following an operation for tumor and other complications. Her father, M. B. Smith, was with her at Rochester. She seemed to improve after the operation, and relatives here received word shortly before her death that she was getting along as well as could be expected. Saturday afternoon they received a message advising them of her death.

She was born on November 7, 1885 on a farm seven miles south of Rock Valley. She lived with her parents in this vicinity all her life, and graduated from the Rock Valley high school in 1903. She attended the Cedar Falls Teachers’ College, after which she taught in the Alton and Peterson public schools and other schools for several years. She has taught many pupils who sincerely regret her passing away.

She joined the Methodist Episcopal church a number of years ago, and has led a life of loyalty, thoughtfulness and sweetness which endeared her to the hearts of her family and her many friends.

Those who she has left to mourn are her father, Melvin Smith, her sisters, Zella Van Horssen of Bingham Lake, Minn., and Zoa Smith of Rock Valley and two brothers, Jesse and Cecil Smith. She also leaves three nieces, Letha Smith, who is now attending Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., Mrs. Mildred Roll and Mrs. Elma Roll of Bingham Lake, Minn., and three nephews, Judson Smith of Rock Valley and Kenneth and Robert Roll of Bingham Lake, Minn. These nephews and nieces were a great joy to her and her every thought and action was centered upon them. She has impressed her many friends with her consideration of others and her sacrifice of self.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Rock Valley Monday afternoon. Relatives from out of town who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Van Horssen, Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Roll and son Robert of Bingham Lake, Minn.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Smith, Pearl, b. 1885, d. 1934, dau of Melvin, Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA.

FindaGrave.com has a photo of her headstone (“Daughter Pearl 1885-1934”) and gives her parents as Melvin Benton Smith (1858-1943) and Emma E. Woods Smith (1863-1929).

Minnesota death certificate no. 1934-MN-010279.