Mary J. "May" White (1871-1897)

WHITE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/19/2011 at 13:41:31

From Story County Watchman August 6, 1897

OBITUARY--Mary J. White was born June 25, 1871 in Meriden, LaSalle county, Illinois, where the early part of her life was spent.

In 1880 her family came to Story county, Iowa, and with the exception on a few years spent on the farm, Nevada has been their home.

From the time they removed to this place, May entered the Nevada school, and continued there a regular pupil until she was graduated in 1889. She immediately entered the teachers' profession, where she has proven herself an able teacher, performing each duty cheerfully and conscientiously, and was anticipating another year's work in our schools at the time she was called home. In 1895 she became an alumnus of the Story County Normal institute. Our sister May was received into the M. E. church about the time she left school and was known by all to have had her place and filled it, in Sabbath school, League and Church. May's disposition was of a sunny nature, winning her hosts of friends, and keeping them by her kind, upright Christian character.

She will be missed fromthe many places where she was wont to be found, but the many friends who weep with those who mourn a devoted daughter, a loving sister and kind friend know that their loss is her gain, for May has only gone a little while before them, and is now where she has perfect rest.

Sometimes we will understand more fully
What seem now to be God's mysteries,
But when our wills conflict with his
"Be sure a wiser hand than your or mine
Pour out this portion for out lips to drink.
Where human kisses cannot reach her face,
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace,
And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath
is not the sweetest gift God sends his friend
And that sometime the sable pall of death
Conceals the fairest boon his love can send.
And if thro patient toil we reach the land
With tired feet with sandals loosed, may rest,
When we shall clearly see and understand
I think that we shall say, "God knoweth best."