Printed in the Okolona Messenger dated June 23 1938
Beloved Matron Passes Away
Death came silently Sunday night to Mrs. B J Abbott, drawing the shades on a life almost as long as the history of the town of Okolona.
Indeed, symbolical of the ideals of this town, Mrs. Abbott's passing marks a milestone in Okolona's chain of events, and few deaths in this locality have evinced the sincere reverence which was shown from the time it was announced last week that she was gravely ill until the burial in I O O F Cemetery Tuesday morning. Although her final illness was swift in claiming her, she had foreseen the outcome and had made last-minute requests to be carried out in her funeral rites.
Typical of these, was her will to have Rev. J Lunday Sykes, now of Hollandale, Mississippi, whom she had known as the youthful rector of Grace Episcopal parish here thirty years ago, to pronounce her obsequies. The very fact that Mr. Sykes had visited her in her home on countless occasions during the years that had gone before added to the atmosphere of pure spirituality which pervaded her funeral rites and interment.
As if endowed with a faculty of timeliness, Mrs. Abbott had seemed not to age during many recent years. She was as something permanent--a landmark--something beyond the vulnerability of age. Her constant cheerfulness was a part of her. This aspect never subsided. She was ever the same. She was truly an inspiration to any one who talked with her. More, perhaps, than any other person, she represented to those of this town and elsewhere who knew her intimately the exemplification of goodness and graciousness.
But, the sway of Time cannot be forever denied, and, finally, at the age of 83 this grand lady bowed, and she was called to join her fathers. Gently, painlessly—as if, by Providence, being spared of any suffering—she lapsed into the eternal sleep which closed about her. Death settled softly upon her as the curtain on a well acted play, showing, in claiming her, the same gentleness and deference which she had so long showed her fellow man. Spared of pain and blessed by the presence of relatives and friends, her final chapter of life could not have been better planned.
When this town reviews her life, it sees passing before the eyes a pageant of history. Born in 1855 in the home on Prairie Street, which is now the Rubel home, built originally as a wedding gift for her parents, Dr. and Mrs. J Hal Green. Here she came into a world of the fabled South—as it was before the Civil War. For six years she was to live the life of a small southern girl ‘midst peace and plenty. By 1861 the family had made its residence on a plantation south of Okolona.
The through four years she heard the story of fighting and hate as recounted at her home by her relatives and loved ones who came from the battle areas. Her father, Confederate army surgeon, ministered to Federals as well as to his own compatriots. Doubtless the impressionable girl learned from his deeds a lesson in benevolence. Patriotism, heartache, heroism and privation during these trying times were to stamp themselves indelibly upon her awareness as a little girl, and her firm character that every one knew in later years doubtless had its roots in this background.
And on through reconstruction days; then the days of rebirth and rebuilding which characterized these parts—and on and on through the years—her life progressed and her experiences grew until finally her years far exceeded in number those allotted to the average person. She seemed not to age with the passing of time—only to mellow. In middle life, in 1903, she married to the late Benjamin J Abbott, himself a veteran of the Civil War, and one of Chickasaw County's outstanding citizens.
She is survived by the three nieces whom she had reared; Mrs. Jack Abbott of Helena, Ark., and Miss Frances Abbott and Mrs. George Shelton. Her great nieces and nephews are: Mrs. Mary Greene Mobray, Mrs. Chester Parrish, Mrs. Frank Best, Mrs. Baxter Ellis, Jr., Mrs. Lemuel Dossett, Mrs. Joe Evans, Jack Abbott, Jr., and George Shelton, Jr. Great great nephews are: Adrian Bancker, Frank Best, Jr., and Abbott Best. Of these, all were present for the funeral with the exception of Mrs. Evans of Bryan, Texas, and Mrs. Parrish of Helena.
The funeral in the Abbott home Tuesday morning saw hosts of old friends gathered together in final tribute. The Episcopal service was said in the north front room beside the open casket with flowers heaped on every side. Active pallbearers were R C Stovall, T J Cole, Archie McDonnell, Jeff Rubel, George Bean and Henry Brady. Honorary pallbearers were: E D Elias, M R Waller, T C Deavenport, W E Savage, J E McCain, Dr. D F Morgan, Dr. B D Hansell, E H Latimer, J J Ligon, H S Wilson, W E Baskin, George Cole, J W Wylie, W E Bearden, H M Murphree, W M Hodges and Herman Cole.
Beloved Matron Passes Away
Death came silently Sunday night to Mrs. B J Abbott, drawing the shades on a life almost as long as the history of the town of Okolona.
Indeed, symbolical of the ideals of this town, Mrs. Abbott's passing marks a milestone in Okolona's chain of events, and few deaths in this locality have evinced the sincere reverence which was shown from the time it was announced last week that she was gravely ill until the burial in I O O F Cemetery Tuesday morning. Although her final illness was swift in claiming her, she had foreseen the outcome and had made last-minute requests to be carried out in her funeral rites.
Typical of these, was her will to have Rev. J Lunday Sykes, now of Hollandale, Mississippi, whom she had known as the youthful rector of Grace Episcopal parish here thirty years ago, to pronounce her obsequies. The very fact that Mr. Sykes had visited her in her home on countless occasions during the years that had gone before added to the atmosphere of pure spirituality which pervaded her funeral rites and interment.
As if endowed with a faculty of timeliness, Mrs. Abbott had seemed not to age during many recent years. She was as something permanent--a landmark--something beyond the vulnerability of age. Her constant cheerfulness was a part of her. This aspect never subsided. She was ever the same. She was truly an inspiration to any one who talked with her. More, perhaps, than any other person, she represented to those of this town and elsewhere who knew her intimately the exemplification of goodness and graciousness.
But, the sway of Time cannot be forever denied, and, finally, at the age of 83 this grand lady bowed, and she was called to join her fathers. Gently, painlessly—as if, by Providence, being spared of any suffering—she lapsed into the eternal sleep which closed about her. Death settled softly upon her as the curtain on a well acted play, showing, in claiming her, the same gentleness and deference which she had so long showed her fellow man. Spared of pain and blessed by the presence of relatives and friends, her final chapter of life could not have been better planned.
When this town reviews her life, it sees passing before the eyes a pageant of history. Born in 1855 in the home on Prairie Street, which is now the Rubel home, built originally as a wedding gift for her parents, Dr. and Mrs. J Hal Green. Here she came into a world of the fabled South—as it was before the Civil War. For six years she was to live the life of a small southern girl ‘midst peace and plenty. By 1861 the family had made its residence on a plantation south of Okolona.
The through four years she heard the story of fighting and hate as recounted at her home by her relatives and loved ones who came from the battle areas. Her father, Confederate army surgeon, ministered to Federals as well as to his own compatriots. Doubtless the impressionable girl learned from his deeds a lesson in benevolence. Patriotism, heartache, heroism and privation during these trying times were to stamp themselves indelibly upon her awareness as a little girl, and her firm character that every one knew in later years doubtless had its roots in this background.
And on through reconstruction days; then the days of rebirth and rebuilding which characterized these parts—and on and on through the years—her life progressed and her experiences grew until finally her years far exceeded in number those allotted to the average person. She seemed not to age with the passing of time—only to mellow. In middle life, in 1903, she married to the late Benjamin J Abbott, himself a veteran of the Civil War, and one of Chickasaw County's outstanding citizens.
She is survived by the three nieces whom she had reared; Mrs. Jack Abbott of Helena, Ark., and Miss Frances Abbott and Mrs. George Shelton. Her great nieces and nephews are: Mrs. Mary Greene Mobray, Mrs. Chester Parrish, Mrs. Frank Best, Mrs. Baxter Ellis, Jr., Mrs. Lemuel Dossett, Mrs. Joe Evans, Jack Abbott, Jr., and George Shelton, Jr. Great great nephews are: Adrian Bancker, Frank Best, Jr., and Abbott Best. Of these, all were present for the funeral with the exception of Mrs. Evans of Bryan, Texas, and Mrs. Parrish of Helena.
The funeral in the Abbott home Tuesday morning saw hosts of old friends gathered together in final tribute. The Episcopal service was said in the north front room beside the open casket with flowers heaped on every side. Active pallbearers were R C Stovall, T J Cole, Archie McDonnell, Jeff Rubel, George Bean and Henry Brady. Honorary pallbearers were: E D Elias, M R Waller, T C Deavenport, W E Savage, J E McCain, Dr. D F Morgan, Dr. B D Hansell, E H Latimer, J J Ligon, H S Wilson, W E Baskin, George Cole, J W Wylie, W E Bearden, H M Murphree, W M Hodges and Herman Cole.
Printed in the Okolona Messenger dated June 23 1938
Beloved Matron Passes Away
Death came silently Sunday night to Mrs. B J Abbott, drawing the shades on a life almost as long as the history of the town of Okolona.
Indeed, symbolical of the ideals of this town, Mrs. Abbott's passing marks a milestone in Okolona's chain of events, and few deaths in this locality have evinced the sincere reverence which was shown from the time it was announced last week that she was gravely ill until the burial in I O O F Cemetery Tuesday morning. Although her final illness was swift in claiming her, she had foreseen the outcome and had made last-minute requests to be carried out in her funeral rites.
Typical of these, was her will to have Rev. J Lunday Sykes, now of Hollandale, Mississippi, whom she had known as the youthful rector of Grace Episcopal parish here thirty years ago, to pronounce her obsequies. The very fact that Mr. Sykes had visited her in her home on countless occasions during the years that had gone before added to the atmosphere of pure spirituality which pervaded her funeral rites and interment.
As if endowed with a faculty of timeliness, Mrs. Abbott had seemed not to age during many recent years. She was as something permanent--a landmark--something beyond the vulnerability of age. Her constant cheerfulness was a part of her. This aspect never subsided. She was ever the same. She was truly an inspiration to any one who talked with her. More, perhaps, than any other person, she represented to those of this town and elsewhere who knew her intimately the exemplification of goodness and graciousness.
But, the sway of Time cannot be forever denied, and, finally, at the age of 83 this grand lady bowed, and she was called to join her fathers. Gently, painlessly—as if, by Providence, being spared of any suffering—she lapsed into the eternal sleep which closed about her. Death settled softly upon her as the curtain on a well acted play, showing, in claiming her, the same gentleness and deference which she had so long showed her fellow man. Spared of pain and blessed by the presence of relatives and friends, her final chapter of life could not have been better planned.
When this town reviews her life, it sees passing before the eyes a pageant of history. Born in 1855 in the home on Prairie Street, which is now the Rubel home, built originally as a wedding gift for her parents, Dr. and Mrs. J Hal Green. Here she came into a world of the fabled South—as it was before the Civil War. For six years she was to live the life of a small southern girl ‘midst peace and plenty. By 1861 the family had made its residence on a plantation south of Okolona.
The through four years she heard the story of fighting and hate as recounted at her home by her relatives and loved ones who came from the battle areas. Her father, Confederate army surgeon, ministered to Federals as well as to his own compatriots. Doubtless the impressionable girl learned from his deeds a lesson in benevolence. Patriotism, heartache, heroism and privation during these trying times were to stamp themselves indelibly upon her awareness as a little girl, and her firm character that every one knew in later years doubtless had its roots in this background.
And on through reconstruction days; then the days of rebirth and rebuilding which characterized these parts—and on and on through the years—her life progressed and her experiences grew until finally her years far exceeded in number those allotted to the average person. She seemed not to age with the passing of time—only to mellow. In middle life, in 1903, she married to the late Benjamin J Abbott, himself a veteran of the Civil War, and one of Chickasaw County's outstanding citizens.
She is survived by the three nieces whom she had reared; Mrs. Jack Abbott of Helena, Ark., and Miss Frances Abbott and Mrs. George Shelton. Her great nieces and nephews are: Mrs. Mary Greene Mobray, Mrs. Chester Parrish, Mrs. Frank Best, Mrs. Baxter Ellis, Jr., Mrs. Lemuel Dossett, Mrs. Joe Evans, Jack Abbott, Jr., and George Shelton, Jr. Great great nephews are: Adrian Bancker, Frank Best, Jr., and Abbott Best. Of these, all were present for the funeral with the exception of Mrs. Evans of Bryan, Texas, and Mrs. Parrish of Helena.
The funeral in the Abbott home Tuesday morning saw hosts of old friends gathered together in final tribute. The Episcopal service was said in the north front room beside the open casket with flowers heaped on every side. Active pallbearers were R C Stovall, T J Cole, Archie McDonnell, Jeff Rubel, George Bean and Henry Brady. Honorary pallbearers were: E D Elias, M R Waller, T C Deavenport, W E Savage, J E McCain, Dr. D F Morgan, Dr. B D Hansell, E H Latimer, J J Ligon, H S Wilson, W E Baskin, George Cole, J W Wylie, W E Bearden, H M Murphree, W M Hodges and Herman Cole.
Beloved Matron Passes Away
Death came silently Sunday night to Mrs. B J Abbott, drawing the shades on a life almost as long as the history of the town of Okolona.
Indeed, symbolical of the ideals of this town, Mrs. Abbott's passing marks a milestone in Okolona's chain of events, and few deaths in this locality have evinced the sincere reverence which was shown from the time it was announced last week that she was gravely ill until the burial in I O O F Cemetery Tuesday morning. Although her final illness was swift in claiming her, she had foreseen the outcome and had made last-minute requests to be carried out in her funeral rites.
Typical of these, was her will to have Rev. J Lunday Sykes, now of Hollandale, Mississippi, whom she had known as the youthful rector of Grace Episcopal parish here thirty years ago, to pronounce her obsequies. The very fact that Mr. Sykes had visited her in her home on countless occasions during the years that had gone before added to the atmosphere of pure spirituality which pervaded her funeral rites and interment.
As if endowed with a faculty of timeliness, Mrs. Abbott had seemed not to age during many recent years. She was as something permanent--a landmark--something beyond the vulnerability of age. Her constant cheerfulness was a part of her. This aspect never subsided. She was ever the same. She was truly an inspiration to any one who talked with her. More, perhaps, than any other person, she represented to those of this town and elsewhere who knew her intimately the exemplification of goodness and graciousness.
But, the sway of Time cannot be forever denied, and, finally, at the age of 83 this grand lady bowed, and she was called to join her fathers. Gently, painlessly—as if, by Providence, being spared of any suffering—she lapsed into the eternal sleep which closed about her. Death settled softly upon her as the curtain on a well acted play, showing, in claiming her, the same gentleness and deference which she had so long showed her fellow man. Spared of pain and blessed by the presence of relatives and friends, her final chapter of life could not have been better planned.
When this town reviews her life, it sees passing before the eyes a pageant of history. Born in 1855 in the home on Prairie Street, which is now the Rubel home, built originally as a wedding gift for her parents, Dr. and Mrs. J Hal Green. Here she came into a world of the fabled South—as it was before the Civil War. For six years she was to live the life of a small southern girl ‘midst peace and plenty. By 1861 the family had made its residence on a plantation south of Okolona.
The through four years she heard the story of fighting and hate as recounted at her home by her relatives and loved ones who came from the battle areas. Her father, Confederate army surgeon, ministered to Federals as well as to his own compatriots. Doubtless the impressionable girl learned from his deeds a lesson in benevolence. Patriotism, heartache, heroism and privation during these trying times were to stamp themselves indelibly upon her awareness as a little girl, and her firm character that every one knew in later years doubtless had its roots in this background.
And on through reconstruction days; then the days of rebirth and rebuilding which characterized these parts—and on and on through the years—her life progressed and her experiences grew until finally her years far exceeded in number those allotted to the average person. She seemed not to age with the passing of time—only to mellow. In middle life, in 1903, she married to the late Benjamin J Abbott, himself a veteran of the Civil War, and one of Chickasaw County's outstanding citizens.
She is survived by the three nieces whom she had reared; Mrs. Jack Abbott of Helena, Ark., and Miss Frances Abbott and Mrs. George Shelton. Her great nieces and nephews are: Mrs. Mary Greene Mobray, Mrs. Chester Parrish, Mrs. Frank Best, Mrs. Baxter Ellis, Jr., Mrs. Lemuel Dossett, Mrs. Joe Evans, Jack Abbott, Jr., and George Shelton, Jr. Great great nephews are: Adrian Bancker, Frank Best, Jr., and Abbott Best. Of these, all were present for the funeral with the exception of Mrs. Evans of Bryan, Texas, and Mrs. Parrish of Helena.
The funeral in the Abbott home Tuesday morning saw hosts of old friends gathered together in final tribute. The Episcopal service was said in the north front room beside the open casket with flowers heaped on every side. Active pallbearers were R C Stovall, T J Cole, Archie McDonnell, Jeff Rubel, George Bean and Henry Brady. Honorary pallbearers were: E D Elias, M R Waller, T C Deavenport, W E Savage, J E McCain, Dr. D F Morgan, Dr. B D Hansell, E H Latimer, J J Ligon, H S Wilson, W E Baskin, George Cole, J W Wylie, W E Bearden, H M Murphree, W M Hodges and Herman Cole.
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