The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-06-30
MRS. M. G. WILLIS DEAD
She Passed Away Peacefully Early
Thursday Morning.
FAILING HEALTH SEVERAL MONTHS
Was a Strong Christian Character FureralFriday
Afternoon PaIIbeaTeTs, Etc

Mrs. Lucy Taylor Gordon Willis, the
beloved wife OF cN-MayOr NJ. q. Willis.
died Thursday morning AT quarter to
= o'clock in her home on Princess Anne
street
Though she had been out Of hcalth for
some months. her condition was cOnsid-
cred much better recently. and the end
came unexpectedly and peacefully while
she was asleep. aud WAS "A great shock
aud surprise TO hcr family and lends.
Nhs. Willis was born August 2Nlh,
1N4T. ina the county oi tulpper, Va, ana
WAS the Youngest daughter ui Edward
Harrison Gordon and Fanny i. llcrndou.
! Her maternal and maternal grandiathers,
Rev. John Churchill Gordon and Key.
Jacob ". llcrndon. were both Baptist
ministers ui great prominence and useful
ness. W hen "a child only two years old
sin, had lost both iatherand mother, ana
was reared 10y her grandmother, Mrs.
Iacoh Herndun ndcr her training. Ike
Timothy. papd 10y hs grandmother,
IRON "A child she knew the Holy Scrip
lures A. might be expected under the
influence oi such training hcredity and
rnNiroumcnt. she became q Christian III
her early girhood. and WAS To the hour
of her death "a devout, active and de
voted follower of the saviour size loved
and trusted.
Mrs. Willis was married IN the home OF
her guardian. Deacon John Addison
Gordon of Spot-yyania. May H. 1850,
and had enjoyed forty years olunailoyed
happy married life.
She leaves. besides Ter griri stricken
husband. two children. Miss Mamie Cor
don Willis and Marion Gordon Nillis,Jr..
10 mourn the death of one Of the most
/ faithful and devoted of wives AMI moth
er~. Beside these. who icci most kcenly
/ this disrpnsation of providence, she
/ leaves large circle oi kindred and
/ friends. who sorrow over her death.
In all the relations of life. as mother
Wife neighbour and Christian, Mrs Willis
was "a model woman. Her social and
/ domestic hic was adorned with many
graccS. She practiccd the most genial
and generous hospitality in her own
home. over which she presided with
dignity and grace More beautiful stlll,
/ If possihis. WAS her church hir. where
she practicrd all the gracrs oi the spirit
/ While mot Slothul in business, she was
| irryent in spirit. serving the Lord. INT
/ Boz true thnt 1--WE live in deeds. not IN
wears: ia Thought. not hrcathS; in feelings
and not in figures on dial, aud he lives
/ longest who lives best. then indeed did
/ Mrs. Willis have long life, though re-
moved from earth before three >corr
years old. Having served her genera
/ ton well. she has literally fallen on sleep.
/ leaving a. a heritage To- her children
/ fragrant memory and example worthy
/ oi the imitation of the Wi>est and best
Her funeral tooh place on FRIDAY
afternoon Isl Iu'cinck from tlu. Baptist
church. where -hr delighted % worship.
and the burial WAS iu She Cry Gene
/ terry. The funeral services were con
Quoted by Rev DR. r. ; puna way and
/ Rev Il. 4. Williams The pnllhancr-
were: Actiyr-Nu~on III. Wills, Cha~.
s Gordon. J.. II Hart. T. II l,I~sell. II.
/ f. Cri~muud. " S.thr~hN Honorary
/ Col. f.. -. Cole. Jas l. Rawlings. W J..
Bradley. pr i r. Tomphins, pr. \. e..
poeectt. Capt. Jas : Knox. 81 G"o. 4.
/ Fuzhugh judge g. ". Wallace. \. /.
Rowe. OR. Geo II Chewing Geo. W
Sh,phrrd. Sr.. II II Johustun