Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-05-24
DEATH OF MRS. ]. N. MeGILL.

aged 81 years.
The death of Mrs. McGill, though
not unexpected, was learned in st.
Joseph, with utmost regret and cast
a gloom over a wide circle of friends,
who loved her for her truly noble
nature and sweet christian charac-
ter.
Mrs. McGill was born in 1881 to
Joseph Davenport and Letitia jeff
reys. on the old ARK" plantation
in Claiborne county, Miss. Her
maternal grandmother was a Miss
Shelby, of the distinguished family
of that name that gave to Kentucky
and Tennessee so many prominent
men, and who served their native
States in places of honor and trust,
including the coveted office OF Gov
ernor. She was married in 1850 to
James NJ. McGill, of Tensas parish,
and resided with her husband on
"Sunnyside" plantation until 1891
when she went to live with her son
on Locust Land" plantation, at
terward coming to st. Joseph to
spend the evening of her days with
her son-in-law and daughter, De
and Mrs. L. A. Murdoch, her hus-
band-her companion for 40 years
having preceded her to the grave
in 1899.
The coming of the flood prompted
her children to persuade their
mother to go for a visit to her
daughter, Mrs. Mcdonald Watkins,
in Natchez, and while there the
final summons came.
Realizing that her long and use
tul life was soon to close, even as
the death dew gathered on her mar
BILE brow, she gently folded her tired
hands across her breast and gazing
with the eye of faith into that realm
of bliss-the reward of those who
who trust and believe-her soul took
on immortality. Around her bed
side were gathered her children; the
life so long interviewer with theirs
with fearful eyes they watched as
it slowly but surely passed away,
breathing upon them last bene-
dition.
Mrs. McGill was an every day
Christian. The beautiful influences
of pure religion were spread over
life and character as spotless and
charming as was ever possessed by
any of the noble women who have
lived and died during the ages that
are gone. As such a life was a bless
ing and benefaction to all within
the sphere of its influence so is the
death of such one misfortune to
her every friend, as well as an ire
parable loss to the home circle made
desolate by her departure. 1t is diff
ficult to pay a fitting tribute to the
memory of so noble a woman-one
whose every day life was embellished
by the most charming and lovable
attributes of her sex. A perfect lady
at all times under all circumstances,
she seemed born to inspire the love
and respect of all who knew her.
No one was more willing to aid the
suffering, cheer the responding, sus-
tain the weak and to throw over
the frailties of our race the mantel
of christian charity.
None ever entered her home with
out a warm welcome nor left with
out feeling the warmth of genuine
hospitality, SO characteristic of the
people of her ancestry. Disease did
not destroy the charm of a kind, in
dulgent disposition, nor old age
diminish her unselfsh solicitute for
her friends and loved ones. Adher-
ing to the faith of her fathers, she
united with the Methodist church in
her girlhood and loved to attend
its services when health permitted.
While she has continued to enjoy
the society of her friends and child
rem, she has for several years real
lied that her active life was over
and with resignation awaited the
Divine call from death unto life.
Passing the scriptural limit of
human existence she has lain down
the burden of life and returned her
soul to Him who gave.
IMPRESSIVE funeral services were