Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-08-17
Obituary.

Mrs. Sarah Alice Bell was born in Balti-
more, Md, Sept. 10, 1922, was the daughter
of the late Joseph McKelden, a wholesale
merchant of that city. In October, 1S43,
she was married to DIR. David Bell, and with
him came to East Tennessee in 1850, loca-
ting in Limestone Cove, Unicoi County,
where she yielded up her spirit about l
o'clock a. M, Friday, August II, 1881,
of heart disease, to which she had for sew
eral years been suffering. At the age OF IL
years she made profession of Religion and
was admitted to membership in the Presby
terrain Church of Rev. DR.. Musgraves, after
marriage. she transferred her membership to
the NJ e. Church, in whose communion she
remained till her death. Of her family, she
leaves one sister, Mrs. Waters, widow of the
late DR.. James Waters, a prominent Balti-
more physician, who resides IN Springfield,
Ohio. a brother, Sinclair McKelden is q
large manufacturer in Louisville, Kentucky,
another lives in Baltimore, another was a
Federal soldier, and was killed in one of the
Virginia battles during the war Mrs Bell
suffered many hardships, her house burned
by the rebels, and she with her children
driven from point to point. But her faith
never wavered. In all her life she consider
ed she had a work to do; her Masters work.
Often she divided her scanty supplies with
the identical rebels who had driven her
from home. Reared amid and surrounded
by gaiety and affiuence, she yet felt content
and happy in her new home, indeed was
unhappy when away from it, feeling that
she was needed as she truly
was, for I feel sure the neighborhood is
much better for the EXAMPLE of her life.
None ever appealed to her for aid and com.
fort in vain Her heart and love were fol-
ALL She was particularly gentle with the
little children of the neighborhood, soothing
their griefs and administering to their little
wants, ever encouraging them to ''be good
children Many touching incidents of hel
gentle nature might be recited dear to the
hearts of those whom she left behind
Many persons, visitors passing to and from
Roam Mountain, will remember her cheer
full hospitality. I believe she never turned
away a stranger from her door, but woult
arise at any hour and waken up her sof
to attend to their wants. BE We not weary
of entertaining strangers was one of he
favorite passages and steady guide OF he
! children, four survive her, all of whom she
reared in the fear and admonition of tn
Lord. whom she loved and served. He
death, though sudden, was not altogethe
unexpected On Tuesday the writer of thi:
sketch was upon one Of his accustomed
visits, and standing by her bedside express
ed hope that she would soon be up. Yes
think will try and get up after dinner.
This she did and walked out in the yard
but being overcome by the heat, was again
| put to bed, her husband administerin
proper restoratives. At usual bed time
when the family babe her good night,
she said to her husband: 81 shall be bette
in the morning" These were her last words
Her daughter, Mrs, Garland, who was sleel
: ing with her was awakened by her mothe
breathing with difficulty, and alarmed tn
members of the household. She died as sh
lived, gently and peacefully. Thus ha
passed beyond the portal noble woman
pure Christian, devoted wife, lovin
mother, true friend and generous neighbo1
: Prom henceforth blessed are the dead VIII
die in the Lord even SO saith the Spirit
for they rest from their labors."