Alice Ruth (ABARR) STEPHENS

ABARR, STEPHENS, ROBINSON, SPENCER, VARNER, FOX, SPENCE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 18:11:05

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1926

OBITUARY - MRS. ALICE STEPHENS.

Alice Ruth ABARR was born in White county, Illinois, April 5th, 1853, and departed this life at her home in Delphos, Iowa, March 5th, 1926, aged 72 years and 11 months.

She was the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. ABARR which family came to Ringgold county as early settlers in the year of 1856, locating on the prairie near what is now the town of Redding. Here she endured with her parents the experience of pioneer life.

On March 7th, 1880, she was united in marriage with John Ross STEPHENS, settling in Clinton township. Later in the year of 1902 they moved to their new home in Rice township where they lived until the death of her husband when she moved to Delphos where for the most part she has since lived.

To this union was born six children - Earl R., dying in infancy; Lloyd E., of Delphos, Iowa; Mrs. R. G. ROBINSON, of Billings, Mont.; Mrs. Cecil SPENCER, of Cumberland, Iowa, and Mrs. O[mer]. C. VARNER and Mrs. Glenn FOX, of Delphos, Iowa. Beside these she leaves twenty-five grandchildren; also two brothers and one sister, J. C. ABARR, of Redding, Iowa; W. S. ABARR of Billings, Mont., and Mrs. S. S. STEPHENS, of Delphos, Iowa. Her sister, Mrs. Geo. SPENCE, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, preceded her in death just fourteen days. She also leaves many other relatives and a host of friends who mourn her departure.

She was bereft of her husband on March 10th, 1917, and she felt keenly the loss of her companion, yet she kept on with her life work, always interested in the things that lift up and make a better world in which to live. She was a devoted mother, always planning for her children and grandchildren.

Early in life she was converted and united with the Baptist church, although being in poor health for many years she was always found in her accustomed place when her health would permit.

NOTE: John Ross STEPHENS was born on June 23, 1854, and died on March 10, 1917. John and Alice were interred at Fairview Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Of John Ross and Alice Ruth (ABARR) STEPHENS' children:
Earl R. STEPHENS was born in January of 1881, and died February 13, 1883 with interment at Fairview Cemetery; and
Lloyd Ernest STEPHENS was born on November 29, 1882, and died December 22, 1973 with interment at with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery beside his wife Lola Maude (SPENCER) (1890-1962),

Alice's father Joseph W. ABARR was born October 1, 1816, and died April 24, 1904. He was a Civil War Veteran, serving with Company I of the 5th Missouri Cavalry. Alice's mother Rebecca N. (?) ABARR was born August 18, 1827 and died of consumption on August 31, 1885. They were interred at Fairview Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008