In Memory of Sarah Leamons
Miss Sarah Leamons was born July 30, 1847, in Union County, Arkansas. She professed faith in Christ in her fourteenth year; united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Three Creeks, Union County, Arkansas; was baptized by Eld. J. M. Hart, who then lived at Eldorado, Ark., but now at Weatherford, Texas. I speak from personal knowledge when I say she has lived a Christian life. She had been in my home for twenty-eight years, with the exception of two years she spent in Bismarck, Mo., with her sister. She was my wife's sister, and being eleven years older, she became very much attached to her in early childhood, as their mother died when my wife was very young, and after my marriage she expressed a desire to make her home with Mattie, and she ever filled an important place in my family. During the early part of my ministerial life I was away from home a great deal. She was a constant companion to my wife during my absence. She became afflicted in early girlhood, and had been an invalid for over forty years, but she never murmered or complained. She was a dear lover and constant reader of the Texas Baptist Herald and was as well posted in our church affairs as a great many of our preachers. If I was not at home when The Herald came, she always claimed it first, and took a great delight in marking all communications in the paper of interest, and calling my attention to them when I came home. She was very much attached to my children, and especially so to our little 12-year-old boy, Rex. She was so reserved and so modest in her way of living that people visiting my home scarcely ever took notice of her, notwithstanding she loved company, never did admire the association of young people much, but always loved old people, and especially those who took interest in the church work. She quietly fell asleep in Jesus February 6, 1905 at 10:30 a. m. As my wife gave her a dose of medicine about one hour before she passed away, she looked up into her face and said, "Mattie, don't give me anything else; I want to go to sleep." The funeral was conducted by Eld. F. M. Hensley, our county missionary, assisted by Eld. W. J. Aekens, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this place. She greatly admired these two men of God. We laid her to rest at 2:30 p. m. in the Italy Cemetery, by the side of our little J. F. McClung, Jr., who preceded her to the glory land just one year. Oh, how we miss her; her room looks so lonely, all of her trinkets intact. We will give them to Rex, the boy she petted. Some sweet day we will see her again. We all bow our heads and say, "The will of the Lord be done." As I pen these lines tears come into my eyes as I think of the sadness of seeing her face on earth no more. Goodbye, Sarah, till the Resurrection morning.
(Rev.) J. F. McClung, Italy, Tex.