Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-26
Mrs. Boyd Gasque--A Tribute
(Contributed)

y
on Tuesday, Dec. IL, 1918, and
| it is with a sense of personal
loss I dedicate these poor lines
to her memory.
She was born in R'ham Oct.
| 6. 1873, the eldest child and only
daughter of Mrs. Robert A. John
son and his wife, who was Miss
Rosa Ledbetter. Her education
was received at the village
Academy and Greensboro Female
College, where she remained
until called home within a short
time of graduation, by the illness
and death of her grandfather,
Rev. R. S. Ledbetter, thus evinc-
ing even as a school girl that
unselish devotion to those she
loved which was one of her dom
inant traits. She was married
to Mr.. Boyd Gasque, of Marion,
S. c., at the Methodist church in
Rockingham, on Dec. 10, 1902,
and of this union two sons were
born, Boyd, Jr., and Robt. John
son. Her home for several years
was in Marion, S. c., until she
was forced by ill health to seek
a more congenial climate; a few
months were spent in Charlotte,
and also Concord, then Mr.. and
Mrs. Gasque returned to Rock
ingham to make their home with
her parents whose failing health
made this step imperative. 49,.
These simple statements give
the meager outline of a life, but
what pen can do justice to the
character that developed during
the short span of years that she
walked the common ways of
earth? Matt Johnson" as she
was called by those who knew
and loved her best, was a woman
of a most charming personality,
brilliant intellect, kind and gen.
erous disposition with a keen
sense of humor and kindly wit
that made her a delightful COM
panion and a leader in all en-
terprises that enlisted her inter-
est. The world is just awaken
ing to the value of women as
public speakers and Mrs. Gas
que's talent in this line was
forceful and winning. 1t was
her deep and intelligent interest
in the issues of the war that
drew this modest woman
from the home duties to which
she was wholly devoted and
placed her in the public eye as
manager of the LIST, End and 4th
Liberty Loan Campaigns, and
the records of Richmond county
prove her success. The Red
Cross work was dear to her
heart, in the Canteen at Hamlet,
in the public sewing room, with
her knitting needles at home she
never relaxed her activities for
the relief of human suffering
abroad and as a a Kings Daugh-
ter she willingly ministered to
the unfortunate near her home.
Early in life she connected her
self with the Methodist church
and gave her answering loyalty
and Jealous activity to that great
organization. Her last conscious
utterance was HE doeth all
things we'll, His will be DONE"
followed by prayer for her sons,
her husband and brother and
invalid mother in words whose
tender eloquence arose like in
cense to the throne of God.
Mrs. Gasque is mourned by a
large circle of relatives and
hosts of friends in all walks of
life whose paths were brighten
ed by the sweet radiance of her
nature and who find life poorer
now that she is gone. A devoted
daughter, an affectionate wife, a
wise and strong mother, a faith
! full and loyal friend has passed
from earth and joined the choir
invisible
/ "Of those immortal dead who live again