Della Gray Mort 1858-1924

GRAY, MORT, GILLILAND

Posted By: Volunteer: Roxanne Riggan
Date: 2/5/2012 at 11:47:29

Della Gray Mort, daughter of Simeon C. Phoeba A. Gray, was born in Crawford county, Penn., August 10, 1858 and passed away at her home in Milton, Iowa, January 21, 1924, aged sixty-five years, five months and eleven days.

When the deceased was a little girl nine years of age her parents removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa and settled in Van Buren county and her life was lived at and near the old parental home.

On March 12, 1874 she was united in marriage to J. C. Mort who was reared on a farm adjoining the Gray homestead. This was a very happy union and until 1905 when they moved to Milton, they lived in the community of their childhood.

When she was eleven years of age she was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at an organization which held their services at the Gray school house and which afterward became the Bethel church All her life she lived a devoted Christian.

Sister Mort was a woman of fine disposition and strong character and was greatly beloved not only by her loved ones who knew her best but by all who had her acquaintance.

For more than a year she was in failing health. For a number of weeks she knew that her end was rapidly approaching and her faith did not waver. Her calm steadfast confidence was a marvelous attestation to the value of the Christians faith. There was not a particle of anxiety on her part about her future. During all of her illness, and she suffered severely, she was thoughtful for the comfort and happiness of those she was leaving.

Aside from the stricken husband there remain to mourn her loss one brother Frank Gray, of San Jose, California; one sister, Mrs. E. A. Gilliland of Monroe county, Iowa and a number of nieces and nephews.

The sister, Mrs. Gilliland, two nieces and nephew were privileged to be at her side during her last weeks and minister to her and comfort her.

The funeral was held from the M. E. church in Milton, Iowa, Wednesday, January 3rd, conducted by her pastor, Rev. H. F. Gilbert. The remains were laid to rest in Milton cemetery.

Card of Thanks
We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors for their aid and sympathy at the time of our great bereavement.
The Family

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 320, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA