Martha (ELLIS) SPICER

ELLIS, KITE, SPICER, STIVINGS, CUTSHALL, KELLER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 16:48:26

The Mount Ayr Record-News, August, 1927

OBITUARY - MRS. J. H. SPICER.

Martha ELLIS was born May 2, 1853, in Douglas county, Illinois, near Arcola. She was the second child of Steven and Susan (KITE) ELLIS. Her mother died when she was eighteen months old and she moved to Missouri with her father. They lived near Kirksville. Later they moved to Davis county, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood.

She was married to J. H. SPICER January 28, 1875. To this union, seven children were born. Two preceded her in death, Willie, who died at the age of nine, and Mrs. Olive STIVINGS who died in 1907.

They moved from Davis county to Ringgold county in the spring of 1897, settling on a farm near Benton. They have lived near here ever since. She made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Zelpha CUTSHALL, for about 14 years and four years ago came to make her home with her two sons, Guy and Clyde. During these four years her health was failing. Through her sickness she was always patient, pleasant and cheerful. She was never happier than at times she could be helpful to her children, granchildren and others.

When she was fifteen years of age she united with the Methodist Episcopal church. During her younger life she took an active part as a teacher in the Sunday school. She has always been a faithful follower of the Savior.

She passed away at the home of her son Clyde on January 27, 1927, aged 73 years, six months and 25 days. She leaves to mourn her death her husband and five children: Mrs. Carrie KELLER of Ravve, Mont.; Guy SPICER of near Mount Ayr, Iowa; Alvin (sic) SPICER of Diagonal, Iowa; Clyde SPICER of Benton, Iowa: and Mrs. Zelpha CUTSHALL of Kansas City, Kansas. She also leaves thirteen grandchildren, three great granchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

O, dear mother, how we miss you
Since you went away today;
O, how lonesome is our home
Which is all in sadness now.
O, dear mother, how we miss you,
Miss your tender words and cares,
You who shared our joys and happiness,
And in our troubles counseled there.
O, dear mother, how we miss you,
Miss your face so kind and true.
Miss those hands that were always busy,
Though so cold and silent now,
O, dear mother, how we miss you,
Though to your Savior you have gone,
And may we all meet you there
In that happy home.

Funeral services were conducted at the Church of Christ in Benton by Elder J. D. DILLE, assisted by Rev. KENT of Des Moines [with interment at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa].

Card of Thanks.

We wish to take this means of expressing our sincere thanks to our friends and neighbors for their kindess to us during the sickness and death of our beloved wife and mother, and for the beautiful floral offerings.

J. H. SPICER AND CHILDREN

NOTE: James H. SPICER was born in 1850, and died in 1941 with interment at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton. Of James H. and Martha (ELLIS) SPICER's children:
Alva SPICER was born April 2, 1882, and died March 3, 1958 with interment at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton beside his wife Dora (1889-1965);and,
Clyde SPICER was born September 24, 1886, and died January 5, 1978 with interment at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton beside his wife Grace (1889-1960).

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008