Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-05-06
4eatbs.
OBITUARY.

BETTE F. Nc KEE, daughter of Rev. W
A. and E. F. Gill, was born May %, 1888, en-
braced religion in 1916, Joined the II. E. Church
the following year, married to w. B. Mckee,
May %, 1851, and at 10 clock 80 minutes, A. NJ.
Monday, April 20, 1863, at Goshen, she giori-
ously passed the valley of the shadow of death.
Her illness was of very short duration, only a
few hours, during which timeshe suffered almost
intolerably but her patience ard fortitude were
equal to her day and trial. At first she seemed
DESTROYS Of staying with her husband and chill
dren. "Life," of course, with such ties, "was
very sweet" For several days previous to her
departure, she entertained strong conviction of
approaching death.
After speaking with her children of her feel
ings, and of little domestic duties she desired
them to attend to the following week, telling
them sshe would not be here to see it DONE"
although then in good health. A day or two
before she died. she called to her sister-in- law,
and asked her to participate in some little social
amusements for the last time on earth. fAlas
these predictions proved too true! Thereseemed
TO be few light clouds in her spiritual sky
Just enough to stimulates thorough selflexam-
ination and q strong effort of faith, which re-
shifted in such a glorious victory as We seldom
witness on earth. A few moments before she
died, reaching out her hand to her father who
immortal, eFather, will DO here but short
time. You have been good father to me, and
l have tried 10 be good child TO you. Now
want you to pray for me the last time" He
answered that he was ''praying for Ter constant
ly." She exclaimed, ''you must pray for me
loud enough to hear you, and want you all to
pray for me-" Instantly a wild storm of griet
burst from the frantic group of friends, but it
didnot excite her in the least. Extending her
arms to her husband, she committed her chill
dren q in NUMBER to his care, the youngest bes
ing about three hours old, and remarked, "I am
now going TO my children in heaven" one of
which she called by name, "Bettie, will soon be
gone. Your Bette will not meet you any more
when you come home. / have one more re-
quest to ask of you just humor me the lasttime."
Telling her ne would grant it, she said, "Take
me in your arms let me sit in your lap, and die"
She then called her mother, brothers, sisters,
ohildren and friends, gave them parting con-
dolence, then extending her hand to the wri-I
ter cher only brother present. she endeavored
to speak, but her pale lips only quiveTed.-
and with motion Of her hand 10 let il fall, and
a sweet smile and dauntless courage, she entered
the grand arena to meet in mortal combat The
King of Terrors. As christian, her church
can better speak than the writer; asa wife, faith
full and true; as mother, kind and affectiona te
as child, obedieHt; as sister, we regard it as
one of che highest honors to be permitted to call
her sister as aneighbor, none knew her only
to love her. In the language of Rev. A. F.
Driskell, in his funeral discourse, he said 80
far as know she never bad an enemy" We
bid her an affectionate adieu as she plumed
for her starry home on high. After funeral
sermon to large audisnce' her renal ms were
borne 10 the grave. whore was read the huria1
service, and she was Laid awsy to await our
happy meeting again. FRERE.
Goshen, Nay Srd, 1852