The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-03-29
LIFE SKETCH
Of Mrs. Nancy ). Akard.
BY REV. E. B. ROBERTSON.


Almost daily we are brought face
to face with death bed scenes, but
we cannot tamiliarize ourselves with
them, or in a sense, cease to
dread death and put it off for our
selves and those we love, as far as
possible. This is natural, for when
death comes, probation ends, our
destiny is fixed-no repentance in
the grave. Death cannot make US
good or bad, cannot change our
character, what we enjoy and love
when death comes, we will love and
rejoice in throughout eternity. Is
it any wonder then that we tremble
when we view death? And oh! the
sadness and unspeakable loneliness
we experience after the dear ones
leaves US,
cannot and should not undertake
to describe my feelings as l think
Of the death of sister Nancy S.
Akard, and what must be the feel
ings Of the husband and children,
God only knows, and He alone can
comfort.
She was born in the beautiful
East Tennessee Valley, under the
shadow of the lofty N. c. mountains,
March goth, 1916. There she grew
up in that invigorating climate,
breathing pure air, drinking cold
water taking lively exercise in the
house and outdoors, doing all the
work of a farmers daughter, faith
fully and willingly thinking not of
having some one to serve her, but
ever desiring to serve, thus living a
life favorable to the development of
a strong body and good health,
these she possessed in a remarkable
degree, even down to old age.
She remained at home with her
parents until she was twenty-five
years of age, when she gave her
heart and hand to Mr.. J. D. Akard,
of Sullivan county, becoming his
happy wife, in which relation she
was ever faithful till called by death
January 18th, 1894. At the time
of her death she lacked but two
months and eight days of being rs
years old, and was a wife for nearly
So years.
Perhaps no couple ever spent
more of their married life in each
others society than they; So notice
able was this, that even their most
intimate friends, who had known
them for years could not recall a
night when they were separated.
She made home so cheerful and
happy that it was the dearest place
this side of Heaven, for her husband,
and the oft repeated visits of her chill
dren from the far West, and almost
daily visits Of those Of them living
near, spake in unmistakable Ian
guage of her devotion as a mother.
She was the mother of nine chill
dren, six still survive her, three
sons and three daughters, each of
them have homes of their own. She
was converted and joined the M. E.
Church, South when she was about
II years of age, and lived a blame
less life in the church of her choice
for more than sixty years.
[ have known her most intimately
in every relationship in life for
twelve years, was her pastor, board
ing for time in her home, and then
living for years almost under the
shadow of her residence. Often
then, was my table filled from her
garden, smokehouse, dairy, &c. 1t
was not only with her, 'you are
welcome to come and get, or I will
send you," but she came and
brought, not leaving material sup
plies alone but spiritual feast fol
lowed in her wake Her face was
always bright and her words full OF
cheer. I weep as think of the last
time saw her. standing before me
Bin my sick room. basket on her
: arm with a present for the sick
preacher and his wife, her face
Frightening with smiles as I told her
was better. She left me to be
seized in few brief days, by that
dread malady, La grippe, and with
it she fought and nursed her hus
band, down with the same disease