Martha Ann “Mattie” Grooms Sylvester (1875-1937)

GROOMS, SYLVESTER, LOBAUGH, WELLS, JONES, THAYER, AMOS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/29/2020 at 12:02:40

From Nevada Evening Journal October 28, 1937 (page 3)

Final Rites for Mrs. Sylvester This Afternoon

Funeral services for Mrs. E. L. Sylvester, 62, of 536 Seventh street, who died in a Des Moines hospital late Monday were held this afternoon.

Following a brief service at the home, the funeral proper was held at 2:30 at Central Presbyterian church of which she was a member, with her pastor, Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy in charge.

One solo, "My Task" was sung by Mrs. C. V. Pence, while a duet "Abide With Me" was by Mrs. Pence and Mrs. Kennedy, with Mrs. F. W. Cowgill at the organ.

Interment was in the Nevada cemetery.

The church was well filled with members of the family and friends of the deceased and of the family anxious to pay tribute of respect to the memory of one whom all had admired.

The floral offerings were many and very beautiful--silent tribute to the high regard in which she had been held in the community, where she had lived for thirty years.

The following life sketch of the deceased was prepared by the pastor and read during the service:

"Martha Grooms, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Grooms and one of a family of twelve children, was born near Frederick, Iowa, on August 23, 1875.

"She was united in marriage with Mr. E. L. Sylvester on October 14, 1894 at the family home in Frederick. The wedding ceremony was per formed by the Rev. Mr. Hastie of Albia. The Sylvester home was established in Albia, where they lived fro some time, later moving to eastern Iowa and Illinois. After short residences in other cities, they moved to Ames and from Ames they came to Nevada where they have made their family home for the past thirty years.

"Mrs. Sylvester made mush of her home life, taking great pleasure in her family, and in her well-kept home and garden. She had a great love of flowers and spent many happy hours working with her husband in their garden, which is one of the most beautiful gardens in Nevada.

"She was converted to the Christian faith at an early age and always remained true to her faith. She was affiliated with the Central Presbyterian church as an active member and she was one always willing to do her part in the work carried on by the church.

"She was an active member of various social circles and was one willing to help in worthy community enterprises. She gave of her splendid talents untiringly to the community and to her home.

"Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester, they are: Geneva, now Mrs. Marlie Lobaugh, Lillian, now Mrs. Melvin Wells and Willis Sylvester, all of Nevada. These three children, together with her faithful companion of 43 years, remain to mourn her passing as do also three brothers and three sisters and seven grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. The brothers who survive are R. O. Grooms, Beaumont, Cal., T. A. Grooms of Santa Cruz, Cal., and C. P. Grooms of Denver, Colo. The sisters are Mrs. Alice Jones, Ottumwa, Mrs. Florence Thayer of Eddyville and Mrs. Lucy Amos, Ottumwa.

"Mrs. Sylvester had been in failing health during the past year but she bore her suffering with her usual fortitude and courage. She was taken to the Methodist hospital in Des Moines on October 4, and was thought to be making a satisfactory recovery when death was caused by an embolism which ended her life on October 25, 1937 at the age of 62 years, two months and two days.

"The profusion of flowers and throngs of callers at the Sylvester home bear testimony of the high esteem in which Mrs. Sylvester was held. She was a loyal and devoted wife and mother and a faithful friend.

"To the loved ones, who sorrow most deeply, may we recall God's promise made to Moses in an hour of need, "Surely I will go with you." May this promise comfort and sustain you in this, your hour of need."