The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-10-10
N LOVING MEMORY
OF MRS. L. ]. PARR

Mrs. E. L. Carney
IF thou wouIdst speak word of
cheer,
IOh, speak it now. This moment is
thine own"
II veil my brow from this dim earth
and dream of brighter spheres.
dream of a land of flowers unfading
Which bloom a8resh through the
/ yernal year,
Of evergreen trees forever shading
The streams of crystal, bright and
clear"
It was my good fortune to claim
Mrs. Parr as my friend for many
Years. Ny esteem for this good wom-
an was such that when I was request
ed to make few remarks at this ves-
per service, on her life and character,
deemed it an honor too great to be
declined, even though I know that
language could not do my subject JUS
i tice. Mere words are cold and mean
Iingless when used to portray the
noble attributes of a true Christian
Womanly woman, Gods most perfect
handiwork Such a woman was Mrs.
Parr.
The modest violet lifts its head
only few inches above the ground.
1t is SO transformations, requires so
little for self, yet it excites the adj
miration of and gives pleasure to all
who are attracted by the beautiful
coloring and exquisite perfume of the
tiny blossom, a few of which will fill
Q large room with a delightful frag-
rance. Mrs. Parr reminded one of
this lovely flower. She was so refined,
so gentle, so unselfish, so unassum-
! ing that only those who knew her
best realized her true worth.
Like the violet, she, too, seemingly,
occupied a small space in this life, but
her influence for good, for the well
fare and uplift of mankind was as
sweet, as strong and as unchanging
as the distinct and lasting aroma of
the violet.
She was true to the highest emo
tons within her own soul and was
governed by customs and convention
alities only when they were founded
upon the principles of love and truth
and right.
She taught not by precept, but by
example; not by processing but by do
ing. She realized that this life was
not for pleasure alone, but "for the
highest embodiment that one can at
tain, to the noblest character one can
grow and for the greatest service that
one can render to all mankind"
She knew that one must not sep
arate ones self from Him "who
doeth all things WE'LL" if one wished
to find the best, the fullest, the rich
est life that this or any other world
could give.
She was endowed with great men
tai power and high moral courage
land always stood for truth and right
with unfinching firmness..
Mrs. Parr was deep spiritual. She
joined the Methodist church when
only nine years of age and lived a
consistent Christian for seventy
years. She was nearly eighty years
lold when her heavenly father called
her to her eternal home.
As Christian, wife, mother and
friend, she was ever true to every
trust reposed in her.
She never questioned the dispense
tions of providence, though her path
was not always through pastures
green nor by still waters. Many,
many times the way was weary and
dark shadows encompassed her and
the sea of her life was tempest tossed
until in anguish of spirit her soul
would cry out, almost in dispair. Then
would she grasp more firmly the hand
of her Savior and hear Him say: "Lo,
it is T." Beyond the darkness is the
| perfect day. In every path of thine
lead the way"
Mrs. Parr tasted, more than once,
the bitterness of adversely. She knew
the pangs of grief. Her home circle
was invaded by the angel of death.
She experienced the unspeakable sor-
row. of giving up husband, children
and other loved ones.
But at no time did she murmur,
bearing with true Christian submits
sion all of these trials and Affections.
Why these burdens of sadness were
laid on her, she could notunderstand,
but her prayer was "Thy will be
done"
Some time in the bright hereafter
When the pearly gates unfold;
When we stand within the city
| Where the streets are paved with gold
/ And the weary heart finds rest,
i We shall see with clearer vision
i What God does is always best"
/ Now that Mrs. Parr is with US in
] person no more, her children, hel
grandchildren and her friends have a
keen sense of their bereavement and
j loss, but the lining of silver shines
through our sorrow-cloud. We know
she is "safe in the arms of Jesus" re-
united with loved ones gone on before
and when we pass on into the land OF
d Immortality she will be there to well
come US.
! As we stand here this sweet, sad