Rebecca Elizabeth (Royse) Conner (1834-1917)

ROYSE, CONNER, WHITE, SMITH, MCBRIDE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/10/2015 at 16:31:19

From Nevada Representative February 6, 1917

OBITUARY

MRS. REBECCA E. SMITH

Mrs. Rebecca E. Smith, born as Rebecca Elizabeth Royse in Preston county, Virginia now West Virginia, March 21, 1834 died at her home in Nevada, Iowa, February 3, 1917, aged 82 years 10 months and 12 days. She moved with her parents John and Sarah Royse to Ritchie county, W. Va., in 1845. In 1849 upon the death of her mother she was left one of eleven children of whom she was at her own death the last surviving representative. In October 1853 she moved with her father to Washington county, Ohio. In October 1859 she was married to Joab G. Conner and moved with him to Preston county, Virginia. To this union were born four children Sarah Charlotte, John Elmer, Clara Belle and Joseph William. On April 20, 1873 her husband died and on April 2, 1884 she was again married to Levy M. White and lived for a time in Kansas. This union however was short as the husband died January 20, 1885. She then returned to Illinois to live near her daughter Clara, until she came to Story county in February 1894. She was married the third time October 25, 1894 to Levi J. Smith of O'Brien county, Iowa who died October 30, 1903, and in October 1904 she bought the home in Nevada where she remained until her death.

She leaves to mourn her death two sons and one daughter: John E. Conner, of Sterling, Kansas; Clara B. McBride, of Shiplty, Iowa; and J. W. Conner of Superior, Wis.; all of whom were with her during her last sickness and death; the other daughter having preceded her to the better land. She leaves 19 grand children and nine great grandchildren. She was brought up in the Methodist faith, united with the church in her teens, and remained a faithful member until her death. She was a woman of much strength of character, a kind and loving mother and a thoughtful neighbor and friend, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a member of the Missionary society, Women's Relief Corps and Women's Christian Temperance Union and in all respects a woman of devout faith and of good works.

Her death was undoubtedly precipitated by injuries received in a fall from the porch two weeks before; but she was already an invalid and her friends were warranted in feeling that her accident spared her suffering. Her funeral is conducted this afternoon from the Methodist church by Rev. McDade and the interment will be in the cemetery at Zearing, where she purchased a lot several years ago, during the residence of her daughter in that neighborhood.