To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: Obits

Date: Monday, April 30, 2001 10:30 PM

MARTHA KENDALL, daughter of MR. and MRS. JAMES KENDALL, was born in High

Point township, Iowa, September 9, 1857, and died at her home at the same

address July 25, 1922. Her age was 64 years, 10 months, and 16 days.

She lived with her parents until their death which occurred in the years of

1889 and 1897. She united in marriage with Mrs. [that's what the article

said] N. T. Parsons January 18, 1905, upon which she became the stepmother to

seven children. Under her thoughtful care and devotion she saw them all grown

to manhood and womanhood who have always regarded her as mother and for whom

they give the tenderest words of praise. She was a most dutiful wife, kind

and consciencious and accommodating in disposition.

She united with the Methodist church in young womanhood and lived an active

christian life. In the ministry and service of the church her life was

typical of many of the highest christian virtues. The beautitudes "Blessed

are the peace makers" etc. seem to express the ideal for which she lived to

attain. To her deeds were better than words and actions mightier than

boastings.

For many years MRS. PARSONS was the organist of the M. E. church at High

Point and was a faithful friend and loyal support to the pastors covering a

long period of ministry.

Her health had gradually failed for several months, but being a person who

seldom mentioned physical discomforts, many of her nearest friends and

neighbors scarcely understood how rapid the end was approaching. Some of the

best physicians in this part of Iowa were consulted but since her disease was

dropsy in a most complicated form, little encouragement was given for her

recovery. Some years ago MR. PARSONS suggested that they leave the farm and

seek rest and recuperation elsewhere, but her desire to make a home for the

youngest stepson to whom she was greatly attached and had raised from infancy

influenced their decision to remain on the farm. She loved the quiet and

solitude and always shrank from their opposite. The divine Father evidently

gave her the answer to her prayer as she passed away. It was noon on Tuesday,

July 25th, that she quietly sat in the parlor of their comfortable home. From

her chair in the open door her eyes caught the sight of the beautiful fields

and meadows over which many times her childish footsteps had carried her in

the reveries of youthful days. Also she saw many large shade trees in their

spacious lawn that had reached their maturity even as her own life had

ripened. It was here in the quiet and alone, while others were absent for a

moment, holding in her hand a church publication of which she was fond, she

lay her head back for the spirit's flight, in just an instant she was gone.

She leaves to mourn her loss one sister, MRS. LOUISA ADAIR, of Zincite, Mo.,

one brother, MR. EDWARD KENDALL, of Allerton, Ia., her husband MR. N. T.

PARSONS, five step-children: MRS. STELLA WILLIAMS, of Garden Grove, MRS.

NAOMIA KING, of High Point, MRS. MARY SMITH, of Garden Grove, MR. PEARL

PARSONS, of Seymour, Iowa, and MR. LESLIE PARSONS, of High Point, and

eighteen grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly.

Funeral services were conducted from the High Point Methodist church on July

27th, by her pastor, Rev. V. J. ANDREW assisted by Rev. WINSLOW of Allerton,

and the body was laid to rest in the High Point cemetery.

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