Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1901-11-01
Mrs CisCeIia Hite.

Mrs. ClScella fIte, rel!ct or George
Hte, decd, was born at the old,
Matheny homestead, at Rehobeth
church, on Back Creek. on the Gath
day of September. 1920, and died
at home on Jacksons river, Octo-
Der 18th, 1901, aged 81 years and
"a days.
Mrs Hite was a daughter of
Abiiah Matthew, and of that fami-
ly only two remain, viz: Capt. J.
c. Matheny, of Monterey, and Mrs.
Sarah Buzzard, of Bolar. For
twenty years she was Il widow,
having to fight the worlds battles
alone, but for some time after the
death of her husband, FER life was
made happy by an only son Oh
whom she showered her affections,
and in return for which he was
her chief support, and for her early
christian training she had the sat
isfaetion Of seeing her boy follow
in the footsteps Of his mother and
develop a manly, christian charac-
ter. But ere her LIES work was
finished she was called upon, with
the wife and children of that son
to mourn the death Of a noble son,
a kind husband and parent. The
sorrow was great and bitter tears
we've shed when she gave him
mp, but in return she received a rich
er and sweeter christian experience.
which during the closing days of
that perfect life brought peace SO
sweet and coMtentment so complete,
that it was day ty day, as though
her mission here was finished, she
patiently awaited the summons of
her Master.
In the last hours she talked to
her children and grand children in
a way that she had never talked be-
fore. So calmnly she spoke of death;
so beautifully did she speak of her
childhood days, and Of her whole
life, the joys and sorrows, the sun
shine and shadows that came and
went, and so earnestly did 81 e plead
for those she loved to meet her in
heaven. 1t was IN this way that
death came and closed the kindly
eyes and folded the tired hands.
Her children now living are Mrs.
A. T. Carpenter, Mrs. c. X. Carpen-
ter and Mrs. f. A. Mclaughlin.
On the day following a number
Of friends and relatives assem- bled
at the home, and around the flower
covered casket they sang Home.
Sweet Home, and Near Ny God
to Thee, and Rev. r. L. Eatsler
spoke SO beautifully of the life that
had just gone from among Us.
Then we followed the casket to the
grave on top of the hill, overlook
ing the home that her hands had
helped to make, and by the husband
and son soon another mound
appeared and we covered 1t with
flowers and came away.
Pale, withered hands that more than
four score years.
Had wrought for others; soothed the
hurt of tears,
Rocked childrens cradles, eased the
leyel's smart,
Dropped balm OF love in many an aching
heart,
Now stirless, folded like wan rose leaves
pressed
Above the snow and silence of her breast
In mute appeal they tell of labors done,
And we'll earned rest that came at set of
sun.
From the worn brow the lines of care
are swept,
AS if an angels kiss the while she slept
Had smOothed the cObweb wrinkles quite
And given back the peace of childhood's
days;
And on the lips nile as if she said:
None know life's secret but the happy
dead"
So, gazing where she lies, we know that
pain
And parting cannot cleave her soul again.
And we are sure that they who saw her
last
In that dim vista which we call the past,
Who never knew her old and weary
eyed.
Remembering best the maiden and the
bride,
Have sprung to greet her with the olden
speech,
The dear, sweet names no later love can
teach,
And "Welcome Iome!' they cried. and
grasped Ler hands,
SO dwells them other in the best of lands.
-Marparet H. Sanrstpr