Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-12-27
Mrs. G. II. WATSON.
fMrs. J. d. Chapman, in Baptist
COurier.)

COurier.)
In the death of this good woman
the Baptist forces Of South Carolina
have lost a loyal worker and the
Woman's Missionary Union one Of
the most consecrated officers and
leaders
Rebecca James Beard was born on
September 81, 1888 in Fairfield
county. Her parents were Joel Beard
and Grace James. and in this fair
daughter they implanted ambitions
for righteous living that led her in
early life to c0nsecrate her life to the
extension Of His kingdom in the
earth.
She was educated in private
boarding school in Ncwberry county
and in Il private school in WalhalIa,
making attainments that would rank
with present day high school stand
ards. On this foundation she built
with persevcring effort till she had
become a woman Of large information
and real culture AS student Of
the Bible and the history Of mission
airy movements she out-ranked her
companions.
May IA. 1872. she married Chas
-. Watson, spending the first ten
sSNio D VI hCi iStt lllC Ill w
near which place her parents had
moved in her early life. In 1882 she
and her husband removed to Green
vile. and that city continued her
home. Her life was largely devoted
to the interests Of her church; and
first as a member OF the First Baptist
church and later as a charter men,
ber of the Pendleton Street church,
she gave her best to the strengthen
ing Of Gods cause
Her interest in missions began with
membership in one Of the earliest
woman'S sOcieties-thc one at Wal
halla-and was intensified by the in
ilucncc of Miss Lula Whilden's life
and her cOnSccratiOn of 1t to far
away China. She was a helper in
the early years OF the development
of woman's work in South Carolina,
and this writer saw her first as she
presided over the annual gathering Of
mission workers with the Central
Committee. held in Florence in 1901.
She had Il wonderful vision Of the
possibilities Of the work and was one
OF those who enthusiastically launch
ed the Woman'S Missionary Union in
1902, becoming one or the vice presi-
dents. Versatile, consecrated, she
wrought out plans that were adopted
by the union which have contributed
largely to rapid growth. among them
the division OF the State with vice
president over each division. which
was adopted in 1903. AS vice presi-
dent OF the Northern Division from
the beginning she worked untir-
in@ly. and her relation to the Supcrin-
tcndcntS Of the fourteen associations
composing that division was as mo-
thcr to daughter. In this territory
there are i57 churches. with 6S.237
members. in which arc G6% w. NJ t.
organizations with about 1O.SS3
members. whose total gift this year
lust closed was $500 l.33. No task
was too great for her, nor was there
4 call for service, however small. that
failed to receive her help. The eli
max Of her work seemed to come in
those two wonderful institutes.--onc
held in Gaffney, April. 1915. and the
other in Westminster. April. lolG-
full OF information and inspiration.
In connection with the latter she
worked out the scheme for Bible
study in the devotional meetings Of
the societies, series Of studies for
each grade. Those for the woman's
societies. Getting Better Acquainted
With Jesus Through His Miracles"
and for the girls auxiliaries.
Studies in the Old Testament" she
prepared herself.
According to her desire. she was
busy to the end While on her way
to lead a Bible Study Glass Friday
afternoon, December 18th, she was
stricken. She was carried into
nearby home and physicians and
family summoned. Finding her con-
dition serieus they moved her to her
home. where she peacefully fell
asleep at 1.25 a. m., December 9Th.
large company of friends and CO.
workers. found in every section OF
this State. sorrow over her going. and
yet they rejoice in the blessings that
have come into their lives because Of
what she was and the inspiration for
service received from her.
Give her Of the fruit OF her hands.
and let her own works praise her in
the gates"