The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-09-03
Miss Ella Morris

LAM VII " -h"SNSe -
life and character Of Miss Ella Nor
ris, whose death was announced quite
recently, deserves more than passing
mention. While the world IN the
large sense knew nothing of her, yet
in her world no one occupied a loft
ier place or left memory more res
pected or hallowed. Eulogies are
pronounced over the great: then why
not over the good:
To the general readers of The
RECORD the notice which has al
ready appeared announced but a
common event, death, and that
was all; but to us 1t was not all
no, no, not by far. To the loving
ones-and all who knew her were
these-that notice was a single state
ment of facts which brought bleak
desolation to their hearts and homes.
The pale horseman has never claim
ed a victim from this community
whose going away left more of sad
ness and real pain. Not only her
oyn bearth.stone was left under the
shadow of gloom, but tits no exagge-
ration to say that every home in this
town and vicinity was affected and
in a manner and to an extent hither-
to unknown. Strange it may seem
that this can be written of modest,
quiet woman, but it is as true as
strange that the impress of this no.
bic young woman, the purity of her
life the sweet strength of her charac-
ter, the powerful influence of her
words and deeds were felt through
out every stratum of society and that
for lasting good. When the tidings
went forth, "Miss Ella Morris is
dead, even strong men groaned,
"What a blow.
To those who did not come within
the sphere of her influence it is we'll
nigh impossible to give clear idea
of her life and character or to con-
vey a true conception of her worth.
No glittering deeds to record: no
startling acts to set down. Just the
life and the love of sweet young
woman, yet a life and love that graz
we'd their seal deep and broad in the
best affections. She was woman
in every best sense of the word. She
was a womanly woman. Public as
semblages never heard her voice, nor
were her virtues cried from the
house-top; yet the splendor of her
character was in every thing she
said and did, and stamped itself in
glowing epitaphs that will live in
the hearts of those around her.
No nobler woman ever lived in
this community than she, and it is
not idle to say that her place cannot
be filed. Because of her departure,
there are hearts that will ache and
ache on until they too shall cease to
beat. Time and care and duty will
dull the arrows point, but the barb
will rankle there still.
On occasions such as this Vacuous
encomiums and empty panegyrics
are thought to be common, but every
word here written is written in all
sincerity and candor, and those who
know and understand will give them
Full credence. This writer knew
Miss Morris from her childhood 10
her grave and knew her we'll. AS
her teacher from almost the begin
ming of her school days to the doors
Of Winthrop college, from which
she graduated; as a fellow teacher
through days of sunshine and of
shadow; as friend in after years,
be knew her in her life aud her
work, and believes that he estimates
her character at certainly not more
than its true worth-rather less.
AS a pupil she was bright, obedient,
studious, kindly considerate and
keenly appreciative, yet nor jealousy
nor spite nor evil ever entered her
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