The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-03-25
Death Calls Her From the Governor
Mansion, '''l |
TRIBUTES PAID BY ALL.
Funeral Services In Both jackson and
CreenwOOd-Mdg gnlflcent
Floral Offerings.

Perhaps it was the recognition Of her
blameless life that led Death to deal
kindly with Mrs. Mary Fox Vardaman
who entered upon her eternal rest last
Saturday morning.
The aged lady had not complained Of
ill-health,a and retired to her room in the
Governors mansion at Jackson Friday
night at her accustomed hour. Once
during the night she was heard moving
about, but she did not summons a SER
want and not thought Of the ap
preaching visitation entered the mind
of anyone. The Governor was absent
being in the Northern part of the State.
When morning dawned Mrs. Varda-
man was found apparently asleep, with
almost smile beautifying the loved
features. She had passed away without
a struggle, and probably did not exper-
ience the slightest warning. Although
we'll over the allotted years vouchsafed
to mankind, death is not attributed to
age, but to a recurrence of heart trouble
that has manifested itself in recent
years.
To even in measure express the
deep sympathy of this community, Or of
the entire state for that matter, which
is extended the sons and daughters of
this universally respected mother, is be-
yond the power Of words to express.
Such tributes to her memory as love
could suggest have been gladly paid.
A funeral service was held in the
executive mansion at 9 a. m. Sunday
morning in the presence Of a large as
semblage. The officiating clergyman
was Rev. w. H. LIE Prade, pastor of the
Jackson First M. E. church, to which
organization Mrs. Vardaman had recent
~ transferred her membership.
At the conclusion of the services the
body was conveyed to the union depot,
where special train stood in waiting.
The train left the depot at 10 O'Clock
for Greenwood, where the interment
took place Sunday afternoon.
Practically all of the state officials at
Jackson, and many of the department
attaches, together with many of the
personal friends of the family at the
capital accompanied the funeral party
to Greenwood.
The casket was conveyed to the First
NJ. f. Church, where Rev. ]. G. Parks
conducted the services, and interment
Immediately followed in the Odd Fellows
cemetery. The floral tributes were
magnificent and in great quantity.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mrs. Vardaman was a native Of Hunts
vile, Ala, where she was born about
seventy-five years ago. her maiden name
being Miss Mary Ann Fox. She removed
with her parents when quite girl to
Carroll county, and spent her girl
hood days there. Some years before
the war she was married at Carrollton,
shortly after her marriage moving with
her husband to Texas, and in the Lone
Star state Governor James X. vardaman
was born. At the first outbreak of the
war her husband enlisted in Texas
regiment, serving with fidelity to the
cause Of the South in that memorable
conflict. At the close Of the war the
Vardaman family moved back to Mis-
sissippi, and purchasing a farm in Yalo-
busha county went earnestly to work to
build up their shattered fortunes After
the death of her husband, Mrs. varda-
man with her children moved to Green
wood, where she has lived for number
of years. She was greatly beloved by
the people of this community and dur
ing the second ADMINISTRATION of President
Cleveland she was appointed postmis-
ho 10
ably for four years Mrs. Vardaman
was a devout member of the Methodist
church and at the time of her death was
honorary president of the Home Mis-
sionary society which she helped organ
ize. She was greatly beloved by all
who knew her. Mother vardaman car
ried her Christianity into her practical
every day life. The following children
are left to mourn her death: John F.
Vardaman, Cripple Greek, Col James K.
Vardaman, governor; W. S. vardaman
mayor of Greenwood; Mrs. ]. Slack.
Greenwood; and Mrs. Crenshaw Of
ScoOba.