Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-01-08
OBITUARY.

Mrs. ELIZABETH REEFS PITTS died Au-
gust Is, 1879, near Fayetteville, Tenn. She
was born and reared near Mulberry, Lin
coin county, Tennessee. "Born again. DUR
ing revival at Mulberry, held in the Bap-
list Church, while she was quite a child.
She joined the Methodist Church at that
place. Upon entering womanhood she gave
her hand in marriage TO MIR. Robert Pitts,of
Lincoln county, Tenn, with whom she lived
happy, holy life until her death. To say
| that Sister Pitts was gentle woman, Low.
ing wife, fond mother and devoted
Christian, would be to repeat what every
body says whose fortune it was TO know her.
Sister Pitts had pacific nature. In dis
cussions of an irritating nature between
churches she held the true way of doing
good was to purify ourselves from all un-
worthy motives, to cherish DISTINGUISHED
sentiments and unaffected good will toward
those from whom We differ, and leave the
mind to utter itself naturally and spontane-
ously. Her views of the true excellence Of
human being were large and generous, and
instead Of that contracted and rcpulsive
character that often frightens the humble
poor, her virtue was cheerful, lovely and at
tractive. She believed in Christ with all
the powers Of her noble heart, and she was
not woman in whom such belief could
lie hid. She was not satisfied with super
ficia religion, but was particularly interes-
ted in those instructions from the pulpit
which enjoined deep, living, all-pervad-
ing sense of Gods presence in the heart.
In my frequent visits 10 her family | found
her conversation so naturally and cheerful
ly turned toward religious topics that l
was convinced that her religion was no less
the delight of her heart than the guide Of
her lie. Though temperate in her feel
ings, have sometimes known her kindled
INTO rapture while cOnversing on those holy
themes. She did not grieve as those who
have no hope when her relatives died. Her
confidence in God, in Christianity and in
heaven, was so great she could always sub
nit TO Heavens call But when her fathe.,,
w. h. Rees, died, she seemed 10 be i'm
pressed more than ever before with the me-
cess'ty OF greater preparations in her own
heart to meet God. Her father was good
man, and was always ready for death
He was suddenly taken to his reward.
While Sister Pitts stood looking into the
dying face of her father, friend standing
by, said: 'Lizzie, you are frightened"
YES" she said, 81 am; l was Just thinking
would l be so well prepared if called as
suddenly as pa has been" From that day
she sought higher attachments in the Chris
tian life, and some time before she died she
said: "The thought Of dying never troubles
me now; | expect to keep myself ready for
| it." And she did. Her sickness was pro-
tracted and severe, but grace was adequate
to her necessities. She became very nerv-
Gus before her death, therefore all noise
and promiscuous conversation was suspen-
ded in her room, but she was always
ready to converse on the subject of religion.
She was anxious TO know when the doctor
thought she would die, and insisted that
her friends would not keep it secret from
her. just before she died she called the
children TO her (of whom there were FOUR
all snialD and gave them all good advice,
and bid them all an afFectionate farewell,
committing them TO the care Of the Lord.
To her husband she said: "Good- bye, Mr..
PITTS; meet me in heaven" Again, after
some advice given her husband, she i'm
printed his brow with the kiss of affection,
and said, Goodbye" This ended her
beautiful life. To the relatives and friends
who attended her last sickness she always
had word of cheer. But she is gone;
gone to the home Of her choice. She is no
stranger there. She leaves a husband
lonely and bereft, and four sweet little
children who were devoted 10 their mother
God look upon the motherless ones. Sister
Pitts is gone, and we mourn her departure,
but by Gods help we will meet her in the
glorious beyond w. j COLLIER.
Shelbyville, Tenn, Dec. 5, 1879.