The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-09-21
LIFE
COMES TO END
). John B. McFerrin Passes Away
In 91st Year of Her Life.

- - Soih ID UnSA ClAih doStS away
In 91st Year of Her Life.
Mrs. Cynthia McGavock McFerrin,
widow of one of the south's most nota-
bic clergymen, and herself scarcely
less notable as a woman of strong
Character and remarkable intellect
passed away early Tuesday morning
at the residence of her granddaughter,
Mrs. I. W. Crutcher, Jr., Nashville,
Tenn, after rounding out a long life
span of ninety years. Although on ac-
count of advanced age unable to as
lime the activity of her younger years
sie retained bright mind to the last
and was able to instantly recall any
event with minute detail.
Always a helpmeet and great aid to
her husband, the late DR.. John B. Nc
Perrin, she came in contact with rep
1sentative people throughout the
south and in many respects, especially
81 ahe circles of the Methodist church,
South, she was the best known woman
in this section oS the country.
Mrs. McFerrin was born in Davidson
county on July 26, 1927, the daughter
Of John and Elizabeth Hinton McGav-
oek, a pioneer settler of Nashville, and
the head Of the McGavock family,
Which has become notable in Tennes-
see history.
<~She was married to DR.. MeFerrin in
1885, and it is probable that no man
who occupied prominent position in
public life ever had a more devoted
or painstaking helper.
pr, McFerrin was a pioneer of
southern Methodism and one of the
X rang men of the church during his
<time. He came into promninoe in
tafly young manhood and retained his
.SA upon the affections of his people
sAG came after5a lopg and
besides being pulpit orator Of note
he was a chief figure in the founding
of the Methodist Publishing House and
it was due in large measure to his
wise business judgment that the foun-
dation Of the present large business in
stitution of the Methodist church was
laid.
While DR.. McFerrin was in the pull
pit and in business methods aiding
his church his devoted wife was rem
dering him able assistance. Naturally
as leader of his day, DR.. McFerrin
was much sought, minister and others
coming constantly from all sections of
the south to visit him. Invariably
there were invitations to visit his home
and in this manner it came about that
the McFerrin home was the then Nee
ca of Methodists. 1t is said that it
was no infrequent sight to see ten to
twelve Methodist ministers dining at
one time at the McFerrin home. As
hostess Mrs. McFerrin shone splendid
ly, and being a brilliant conversation
alist, was able to make guests of the
McFerrin home feel their visit was
one to be remembered.
During the civil strife, DR.. Meier
rim temporarily laid aside the reins of
the church to become a chaplain, and
he devoted his time arduously to min
istering to the religious and often
temporal comforts of the Confederate
soldiers. While he was doing this his
wife was none the less active. AL
though having young children to care
for, she moved the family hearthstone
from place to place as her husband
changed his scene of activity and de-
voted large portion of her time to
ninistering to the soldiers of the gray.
DOUBTLESS there are today still living
! large number of Confederates who
can well and pleasantly remember
The untiring woman who sacrificed |
very personal comfort in order to
ring cheer and as many material COM
orts as possible to those who were
lighting under handicaps the battles
t the southland