Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-12-10
MRS. JENNIE BARKER FORT.

hanv hearts In our state were saddened
when the news weht out that on Saturday.
Oct. 9Th. Mrs. JENNIE BARKER FORT had
passed AWAY. She died In Noxubee oun
~ At 'hs residence If Mrs. j. p. Stokes. and
was buried at Starkville. II n. M. Sunday.
Oct. Nth. 1904. Her home was with Judge
and Mrs. Critz In West Point. Mrs. hut
she had Eone on vlsit to her cousins. Mrs.
Stokes and Miss galloway. In thu hope Of
improving her impaired health by the
change. She was the widow Or Hon. l.. A.
Fort. sister OF Capt. Walter R. Barker. Mrs
Frank A. Critz and OF Mrs. Mary spooser.
Of Hiisboro. Texas; and had been a mem
her OF the n. z. Church South from her
early lie.
Mrs. Fsrt was = woman Of many virtues,
hut enc Of those ran through her whole na-
turs and gave q very hIrh tone I" her whole
character. This trait Of character was her
perfect loyalty. She was absolutely true to
her ideal Of duty. and her idea Of faithful.
ness touched every part Of her life. It ex-
tended even TO the place Of her birth. She
lsvsd ihs rood name and the people OF her
native county. She seemed to feel akin to
all the cItizenry Of Nexubee and WAS ever
At their command. Belonging to the olden
time and the old South. she was filed with
Ito spirit, permeated nv its ideals and was
unfalteringly true 10 ito sacred memories.
I have never known q truer friend. She
charged no evil aad would hear none. Alb
sence seemed to deepen her obligation and
her disposition to defend those she loved.
Her loyalty to friends even went to the rare
extent Of reproof in case she found them
wrong. From personal experience I know
Of her fsithfulness to her pastor. He wa.
| always = part OF the sacred circle for whose
| defence and support she was set. Born and
reared In the church, her life from begin,
| ming to end was given to 1t without reserve.
Her duty tn her church was so vel. settled
~ a part Of her life a. never to admit o.
question on her part. In all tho relation,
Of life she was loyal and true-to her moth
or. her brother and sisters. Asa wife sh,
was unselhshness Itself. But I believe th,
most perfect test OF her character lies il
the fact that she filed the difficult and try,
ing position Of %stepmother with the mos
signal success, = success beyond even criti
cism. The lsve and devotion Of her ster
children 10 the most effective testimony tc
her worth that can be conceived.
For some time she was In poor health and
for months awaited her end In patience and
hope. Hers was q finished life. Her worl
and her character were alike completed
There seemed to be little left for her to dc
for those with whose welfare she was di
rectly charged. Through labor and tris
she had done her work and shown hsrsel
faithful to the trusts imposed upon her.
When, ~ . friend OF lifelong standing.
was called to help perform the last sad rite
Of sorrow and reverence, I felt that l hat
lost one Of tbs real tried and legal friend
Of earth-one In whom ! absolutely truste,
and who had never disappointed me. Tn,
scarcity Of such friends but serves to Nj
to the sorrow with which we bid then
adieu, and to deepen our keen regret At on
separation.
Life 10 blessed with no truer friend. n,
noblsr soul. no more devoted servant o
God. than Jennie Barker Fort.
N. G. AUGUSTUS.
Okolola, Oct. '04.