STARRETT, Mabel Grace Agnes: 1899-1951

STARRETT, HYERS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/23/2014 at 07:44:22

MABEL STARRETT
1899-1951

Funeral services for Miss Mabel Starrett of Manito were held at the Manito Community Methodist Church last Friday afternoon, January 12, 1951, at 2 p.m. Joseph W. Hobbs officiated, assisted by Rev. D.J. Powell. Favorite hymns of the family were sung by Mrs. Helen Hibbard and Mrs. Mabel Crosby. George Elmer Ethell was the organist. Burial was in Meadow Lawn cemetery in Manito with the Johnson Funeral Home in charge of services. Pallbearers were John, Chard, and Harvey Starrett; Roy Lightbody, Buron Hasselburg and Roy Wilson, nephews of Mrs. Starrett.

Prior to her death, Miss Mabel Starret wrote the following sketch of her life in 1931 and requested that it be read at her funeral service:

"I am writing this to you who will be bidding me au revoir upon that Great Adventure where each must go alone. Think of me not as dead but as one who has found life good and who takes up this new journey with great joy and expectation, leaving you for a little while to carry on with renewed energy and hope and love those dreams and duties which I could not do.

"My life has been rather mixed-up, but the depth of sorrow and disappointments have led me down into the hearts of God's people and because of my great need, I have learned to know the heart of man in his goodness as God must see him. I would have you remember that.

"There is almost no obituary to be written. April 15, 1899 John Ray and Anna Hyers Starrett welcomed to their home a little daughter whom they christened Mabel Grace Agnes Starret. The life might be divided into four periods: (1) The gay and happy childhood with all the hopes and dreams of youth lasting twelve years. (2) After that came the stolid wall of invalidism. (3) The third period brought an awakening through the realm of education at the Manito Community High School and Bradley College, Peoria, where the degree of B.A. was bestowed in 1925. (4) The fourth period was a continuation of dreams aroused in school and a development of character and a closer contact with God. At the time of writing the fifth period seems to be opening. The field of service with "my people" seems to lie before me. How much or how little this life of mine counted for Him and for you, only He can judge. My prayer is that my life and my hopes and my dreams and my love for you may draw you nearer the true beauty of God's universe here until we "know all things."

The "fifth period" of her life, was truly a period of service to others. Few people have lived so bravely and unstintingly as did Mabel Starrett. She gave long hours of physical effort to the tasks she assumed, often working far into the night. No matter the lateness of the hour when she retired, she was at her desk early in the morning. She lived a life-time of activity in just a few short years.

Mable was a well-known newspaper correspondent of the Manito area. Under her capable direction, the village was given wide publicity in every newspaper of Central Illinois. For a number of years she was society editor of the Manito Community Express. Later, she became correspondent for the Mason County Democrat, the Pekin Daily Times and the Peoria papers.

Mable's life was a constant reflection of the Christian way of living. Despite her physical handicap and the years of suffering that it brought, her faith never wavered, imparting to her a spirit of rare courage, and patience as she faced life's struggles.

Mable was most active in the work of the Community Methodist Church at Manito where she was a member. She was teacher of a Sunday School Class for many years. She was an active worker in the Epworth League, a leader in the Woman's Society of Christian Service, a steward and officer of the church board. She was faithful in her church attendance and proved to be an inspiration to her pastor and fellow workers.

She was interested in the activity of relief organizations and served as an officer of the Red Cross for many years. Any charitable drive would find her as an ardent volunteer, ready and willing to do anything within her power.

Her influence reached far beyond the village of Manito. Mabel became interested in the work of the International Society for Crippled Children and edited a monthly publication THE ROUND ROBIN which went to hospitals all over the United States and England. Her correspondence with Polio patients would average hundreds of letters each year. Among those with whom she had correspondence was the late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, himself a victim of the dreaded disease.

Mabel's life of community service, her heroic struggle to overcome the physical handicap she bore, will always remain as inspiring memories of her life.

When death came to Mabel the other afternoon, it did not come as a conqueror, defeating her in a valiant struggle. Rather, it came as an hour of shining victory for her. The sufferings and the stugglings of earth were finished. Mabel emerged victorious into the light of God's day where she can now move about, unhampered, in service unending. In this faith and consolation we commit her to the fellowship of Heaven.

Miss Starrett passed away at the Mahoney Convalescent Home in Peoria at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, January 9, 1951. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Alma Starrett; a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ray H. Starrett, all of Manito. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, Page 133