Graham, Mary Lilla (Maltby) 1862 – 1895

GRAHAM, MALTBY, BAKER, VAN WAGENEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 14, 1895 P 4 C 4

MARY LILLA MALTBY was born at McLearn, N. Y., March 16th, 1862, and died at Decorah, Iowa, March 7th, 1895, aged 33 yours.
She removed with her parents at the age of five to Portage, Wis. She was united in marriage to Mr. David C. Graham, Feb. 16th, 1888. Of this union two children were born, who with our brother, will miss the presence and care of the departed mother. At the age of 13 years Mrs. Graham heard the call of her Savior and yielded to him her heart. She joined the Methodist Church five years later. She became identified with the church at Decorah by letter, Apr, 11, 1892.
During last year she bore the burdens in the severe illness of her husband and in sorrow and great anxiety feared his death, but little thought that in about a year, she herself would be called upon to lay down life’s duties. And yet such are too mysteries of Providence. The sick husband recovered and the careful, devoted wife is the first to depart.
Her’s was a glorious death! Willing to do and suffer the whole will of God, yet longing to be at liberty, “and so to be forever with the Lord.”
The last weeks of life.—after resigning all the family and her future to Jesus—were spent in doing what she could for His glory; and by conversation to direct the minds of visitors to Christ. During the visits of the writer she told him that while she would love to be permitted to take part in prayer and class meetings, yet Jesus had shown her that she could do her last work on her sick bed. One day she said to her pastor, “Jesus has given me a little part of heaven in that corner of my room. I see the River and the Angels,” and the vision remained with her to the last. A week ago she desired the Holy Communion, and after the service she conversed with the pastor, and said. “Yesterday, after I was ready for the evening,”—after as much work for her Master as she was able to do—these words seem to be so appropriate;—
“One more day’s work for Jesus,
One less of life for me!
But Heaven is nearer
And Christ is dearer
Than yesterday to me!
His love and light
Fills all my soul to-night.”
After a hard night on Wednesday she sweetly and without much struggle fell asleep on Thursday at 7:30 a. m. The funeral was held on Sunday at 2:30 o’clock from the Methodist church, attended by a large circle of neighbors and friends. Mr. Graham and family have the sympathy of the community in his bereavement.
Among those at the funeral from abroad were Mrs. E. S. Baker, of Portage, Wis., and Mrs. Ada Van Wagenen, of Syracuse, N. Y., sisters of Mrs. Graham. S.

Transcriber’s Note: Her gravestone in Phelps Cemetery appears to show her middle name as Illa.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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