The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-12-11
REV. ]. 3. ley, FORMER
BELOVED MINISTER
Of THIS CITY, DIES

Rev. J. B. Ley. former Method
ist minister Of this city, died yester-
day at Orlando, which will be sad
news to this good mans many Lake
land friends. OF his death the Or
lando Reporter-Star says:
Rev. J. B. Ley: Born. Sept. 23,
1855. Died, Dec. 10. 1917.
This is very brief statement but
between the years and between the
lines much remains to be told.
Rev. John B. Ley was born in
Thomasville, Ca, and at very ten
der age was brought to Florida, his
parents locating at Micanopy
His father, Rev. J. C. Ley and
mother. Mrs. Martha Pottle Ley were
pioneer Methodists and to their uni
ted and faithful efforts. amid many
hardships Of pioneer life Methodism
was planted in many places in the
State.
John, the son, was educated at
West Point and at Vanderbilt Cnt-
,ersity. receiving liberal education
which stood in good stead all through
his life, especially in his chosen pro-
fass:on. the ministry of the Gospel
He was married to Miss Mary Es
tell Roux in January, 1880. His
first church given him after being
ordained was the Volusia Mission.
and his lifework ever since was CIV
en- without reserve to many Of the
hardest. and following that to many
Of the finest churches in the STATE,
Lakeland, Jacksonville and Orlando.
IIis three years. service in Orlando
were among his best and the last
year proved a crowning Hffort
He was a hard worker, a fine
preacher, a godly man, a ray OF sun
light, cordial pastor and firm
friend. Everybody loved him and The
visitors to our city were with one
accord great admirers of him and his
sermons. His home life was the most
sacred and consistent thing ab, ut
him. Never an impatient mood Or a
cross word, always ready to met his
children on an equal footing and. no
matter how pressing h:e other duties,
patiently explaining every difficult
problem.
lie rounded out the three years OF
his work In Orlando, comiug to the
church at time when the new cdi
fice had just been built, with a lead
OF debt upon it and each year of his
rastorate he had large addition tc
the membership and was instrulnen
tai In meeting every obligation.
J During the past year all obligations
meie met and twenty thousand dol
lars Of debt upon the church was paid
and Brother Ley had one of the IN
est reports of his life to read to the
Annual Conference which met at Mi
, ami.
He had planned to go to conference
with the Presiding Elder and his son
in-law, Mr.. T. F. Alexander, OF Tam
pa, in his automobile. but Sunday +,
, week ago was taken i'll and thoupI
1t was thought he would soon recovc,
ne grew worse, suffering greatly dur
ing the following days.
Wednesday he felt so much bette,
that he was about his room. but 500,
had a relapse and Saturday It becam,
necessary to operate. At first 1t wa
thought he might rally, but tn
: bursting of an abscess speedily ter
: minated his useful life. for at tw,
in the morninf of Monday h
slept away into the other life O
!, which It was his dearest pleasure t
, tell to mortals below.
} Re is survived by his wife, hi
a daughters, Mrs. T. F. Alexander, O
!. Tampa, Mrs. Frank Smith Of Orlan
q dc. Mrs. L. A BELL Of Cairo, Ga
4 Miss Ruth. OF this city, and his sor
/. ]. C. Ley. of Tampa.
It The funeral will take place tomor
s. row at p. m. In the Methods
8 church. The pallbearers will be chos
E. on from among the board OF stew
3. ards. Rev. B. X. Thrower of lamp
t. who is now In Miami attending cor
r ference. will preside. The funera
l. arrangements are in charge of tn