The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-01
Communicated
Death of Venerable Colored


Woman.
On Sabbath morning. Feb. 18th, 1888, as
the sun arose in the Heavens to dispense
the darkness of the night and usher in an
other Sabbath of rest to man, the spirit of
Easter Lawson, familiarly known as
Granny Easter, quietly took its flight to
her eternal rest. the Sabbath that remain
eth to the people of God, the darkness of
the eight OF her earthly life being dis
persed by the rays of the Sun Of Right
eousness She was a devoted and much /
beloved family servant OF Col. Samuel
Harnesberger SO well known in his day !
throughout Augusta county and the Val |
ley of Virginia. Granny Easter was Born
in the Spring OF 1894, and for % years was
an acknowledged follower Of thu Lord
Jesus Christ Her life was a most re,
markable one III many respects During
the days of slavery she won and continued
to hold the esteem of Col. Harnesberger S
family and their host Of friends and after
the close of the war this faithful servant
continued with those whom she was glad
she has lived in the home where she died.
on the farm OF Mrs. Christine Parkins,
the widow of MIR. Isaac Parkins, and
daughter of Col Harnesberger Granny's
house WAS not more than $50 yards from
Mrs. Pasklns' residence, and she received
tie personal care and attention of this de-
voted Christian woman. To Mrs. ParkinS
and her family and friends. Granny was
as devoted and strongly attached as it was
possible for her to be. and it was source
of great pleasure to. and, indeed. esteemed
privilege by this family to wait upon this
old friend, and hestow upon her their care
and affection. Besides, her son in-law,
Chas. Bailey and his wife, Caddy Bailey,
Granny's daughter and only living child,
who were as attentive ana kind as possible
to the old lady and with whom she lived,
and was tenderiy cared for and lovingly
nursed. None viii grieve over her de-
parture more than the family so long ac-
customed to care for her. And yet they
rejoice much in the assurance they have
that she has gone to be with Christ. which
is far better. But the most conspicuous
feature il the life of this remarkable
woman was her piety. She was one of the
most Cody characters the writer has ever
met
Until her sight became too dim she was
a constant student Of Gods word Posi-
bly, no Que in Augusta county used his or
her testament more and to greater adyan.
mr. tohf 4 jct ia
and seemed to have as dear an idea OF the
plan of salvation as anyone. While it was
the writer's privilege to minister as pas
tor to the Old Augusta Church, she was
visited as regularly as any member of the
church. for her name WAS one OF the many
on the pastors visiting lis, and never
was visit paid her that as much. as, if
not more. profit was carried away by the
pastor than he left. These visits were
always appreciated very highly by this
warm Christian soul, aud looked for with
good store Of questions and subjects for
consultation laid up 10y her for every such
visit Many time these questions were
too hard to be answered and were freely
acknowledged by him. who was more than
once impressed with the feeling that he
was the pupil and this bright old Christian
the teacher. She was ever esteemed per-
sonal friend of thu writer. and lie feels it a
privilege that now he is permitted to bear
this testimony to her faith and goodness.
Few people, if any, visited this Christian
home without witnessing the bright
evidences of faith this old woman gave,
and her white friends were almost invari
ably asked to read chapter OF the Bible
before they left. for the edication of tie
old woman.
Upon the occasion OF the writer's last
visit to her she remarked lbat she had
searched the scriptures through aud the
most precious words She had found were
'sredeeming love - She could truly sing !:
Fer since by faith saw the stream
Thy fowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be I'LL die.
And
Now in nobler, SWeeter song
She sings thy power to save,
While her poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.
ALEXANDER SPRUNT.
Henderson, n. G.. Feb. IS, 'SS.