Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-01-16
OBITUARY.
DcRth of HErs. T.. NJ. Yerxer.

1hlS esumable lady died at her residence
near Wal1ran avenue yesterday morning
about . o'clock. The event was no sur
prise 10 the public, as it has been expected
at any hour for the past two months. She
had been suffering with a complication of
diseases for several years past, which
finally drifted into consumption, and it is
strange that constitution naturally deli
cate so long batfled the ravages of the fell
destroyer. Mrs. Yerger was the daughter
of Andrew and Susan Henderso, snd was
born at Paris, Tenn, on the 100 i May,
1898. Her parents removed to Memphis
while she was child and here she was
reared and married to the Hon. L. NJ.
Yerger, one of the most eminent and dis
tinguished lawyers in the South, in Octo-
ber, 1857. Prior to her marriage she was
regarded as the most beautiful young lady
in Tennessee. About the time Memphis
was emerging from the chrysalis of a vii
lage into a prosperous city, Mrs. Gerger
was the reigning belle. The old citizens
were proud Of her beauty and ac-
complishments. She was the pet Of
Memphis society, and, when she went
abroad, people were proud OF the honor
which the lovely girl reflected upon Mem
phis. So soon as she became wife and
mother, she forgot her beauty in the
faithful discharge of her duty. Her face
grew roseate and took on celestial light,
which blazed not for the admiration of
the world, but to direct the footsteps of
her children and to give Joy to the house
hold. IN 1871 Judge L. NJ. Yerger, her
husband, died, and then this brave, deli
cate woman neTved herself for the battle
with life. Il was hard struggle, but she
triumphed, for she reared four children
which are ornaments to society and who
have been solace to her in her long
clio Sha ha1 oil thn MI
delights which come through the affec-
tions of loving children. Mrs. Yerger was
a member of st. Mary's Episcopal church.
Her Christian life was exemplary and she
had no fears of the ldture, but, loving her
children as she did, she dreaded the dark
valley of death although she knew it led
to heaven. She did not want to go down
into the grave even when she knew her
husband, children, father and mother
would be her bedfellows. But death
was inexorable and this noble woman
is at rest. For once the cruel and re-
lentless monster was kind, for he did
not come for his victim until she had long
/ been made unconscious and incapable of
fright. As wife, mother and friend, her
life was illuminated by all the virtues OF
her sex. She presided over the household
a sceptered queen, and her children were
the willing subjects, for they knew the
depth of her love, the extent of her affec
ton, care and devotion. She passed down
to the grave with all the luster of perfect
woman. The world is better because she
has lived. Sickness, sorrow and time
wasted the bright face, the cheek of
lovely bloom, and all the woven beauties
which made vision of Joy and spirit OF
young delight; but neither could dim
the splendors of her character. These,
under the blows of fate, and
beneath the friction of adver-
sity, frightened with the years until her
spirit melted away in the blue skies. Mrs.
Yerger's maiden name was Mary l. Hen
derson, and she leaves, as residents of this
city, tive sisters, two brothers, three sons
and daughter, who have the sympathy
of the community. Especially is this
sympathy lavished upon Miss Sue Yerger,
the only daughter of the deceased. She
has been a pale watcher at the bedside
day and night for months. 1t was des-
perate fight between the brave girl and
the grim monster for the possession of the
mother. Although the faithful daughter
needed rest, she clung to the bedside and
forgot herself in the intensity OF the battle
she was fighting Death vanquished
the noble girl. Watching and nursing
could not save. Her young heart is
wrung with anguish. She saw the mother
breathe out her life until her soul scared
to the long dreamed-of rest for which it
yearned. The separation viii not be
long, for affection so pure and holy, strong
rs ever gushed from hearts OF mother and
daughter, will blaze ont in fadeless splen-
dor in the blissful realm where love is inn
mortal and the rainbow forever arches
the sky.