The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-04-24
MRS. AVERY


MRS. AVERY
Brief sketch of the Life and Death
of a Brave and Useful Woman.
Mrs Avery. the aged lady who died
Thursday, IL she had lived until next
October, would have been eighty-oneI
years of age Hers had been an event
full and busy life. She was born in New
York state, the second Of eight chill
dren, losing her oldest and next oldest
brothers during the past years. Two
of her sisters are living-Mrs. E. F.
and Mrs. Fl. VI. Bancroft of Springfield.
Mass Mrs. Avery's father and nus
band were preachers. She had only one
child who il now resident OF Vine |
land, y J. Early in life, Mrs. Avery |
connected herself with the Second Ad- |
ventists, and always remained loyal TO |
Christ and his teachings. After losing |
Iher husband, her independent spirit |
| took her out into the world TO earn her
own living. and for years she sue
ceeded admirably as a garment maker
in Philadelphia. in teaching and doing
missionary work Twenty years ago
her health failed and her physician
sent her to Jacksonville. Here she met
Miss Buckbee and Miss Welsh Of the
Ocala Industrial Home, and through
their persuasions she came TO this city.
These ladies were her fast friends un-
til death. which came to them several
years before il came to Mrs. Avery.
Shortly after coming to Ocala, Mrs
Avery bought lot and built house
at Spring Park. and for years was
, neighbor of the late J. G. French and
family. During these years she CON
tinued her unselfsh missionary work
Some three years ago, in coming down
a flight of steps, she fell and broke her
hip, and from day day she had no use
of her lower limbs. and was compelled
to use rolling chair. When this great
: misfortune overlook her, her case
1 came to the hearing of the King
Daughters who Immediately took a
lively interest in her. She told them
that if she could be brought to Ocala.
she believed she could continue to earn
her living by making rugs and mend
ing. Her wishes were complied with
and a small house was secured for her
, on Orange avenue and there she la
/ bored and lived until the God who
gave her light and life transplanted
: her to her home eternal
Mrs Avery was an educated woman
= and a student of the Bible, her con-
| slant companion, and few ministers Of
} inestimable riches than she. Her dis
; position was of that bright and cheer
z full kind that always enables tC
. see the better things of life. Her sun
{ lit face was an antidote for the blues
: and her hopeful spirit and comforting
words drew to her a host of friends
{ who admired and loved her for the
! cheer she brought with her. In all he'll
= suffering, and it was great, and the
; discomfort caused by her helplessness
u never a murmur or complaining wore
escaped her, During the three years
4 of her he1plessness, the writer called
- to see her at least once week, anC
3 always found her bright in mind ant
'0 disposition. She possessed a wonder
y full constitution and a clear and com
II prehensre mind. Her first and larg
y est thought was always for the vel
= fare of those who We're unfortunate.
ie During her last illness, every wan
~ was filled and every comfort provide
II for her by the Kings Daughters, VIII
| gave her a faithful colored nurse, Ma
l, ~ Pratt. who never left the hous
III during Mrs. Avery's Illness
5 DR. D. NJ. Smith was her attendan
al physician and with constant and skill
IL full attention did all in his power to al
e leviate her sufferings, which wer
10 hopeless from the first.
~ Mrs. Avery's death occurring late i
" the afternoon, and it being necessar
=" to bury her at once, all her friend
% who could be reached by telephon
sc were notified, and many Responded
'iS Rev. Campbell Gray was asked to OF
u fciate The Sunday previous he ha
called to pray with Mrs. Avery, an
ne sang for her abide with me-" with
nc much power and sweetness that tn
"' melody soothed her to sleep. At tF
grave, after reading impresiN
prayer and the approaching nigl
was spreading its mantle over II
7i earth, he closed the services by sins
oN ing the same hymn, in which a lars
p" concourse Joined Many brought fov
ers to lay the grave.
So all that was mortal of this goo
brave woman, whose life file
no with the spirit of helpfulness for ot1
'rn ers, and whose honest independence
ND soul would accept no help from her Xxi
inc though they proffered it, was laid
Ter rest She has not, lived in vain-t
ere world is better for her having lived
ina II If Peace her ashes.