The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1919-10-16
DEATHS Of THE WEEK
Mrs. G. D. Smith

Mrs. q. D. Smith
The people of;,Oakes and vicinity
were shocked and saddened on Sat-
urday last to learn that Mrs. G. D.
Smith had departed this life at z
o'clock that morning. Just as the
whistles blew ushering in new day,
the soul of our dear friend and towns
woman entered into her new life of
freedom from suffering.
Marian Gertrude Carson was born
April 10, 1856, in. Erie county, Penn
sylvania, at which place she was mar
ried, June II, 1875, to George d.
Smith. In 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
came to North Dakota and started a
pioneer home on a farm near Bramp
ton. where they lived sixteen years,
when they moved to Cogswell, build
ing home there and living there
seven years. The present home in
Oakes was built in 1910.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her three
children, Claude OF Broadview, Mont,
Leo and Mabel Of this city, and two
sisters and three brothers, one of the
latter, Frank Carson, having made
his home with her for the mast wear.
1t can truly be, said of Mrs. Smith
that she was loved and respected by
all who knew her and in her passing
away the family loses a faithful wife,
a devoted mother and an unselfish
sister. Her limitless acquaintances
have lost a true and interested friend
and her nearest friends will be lost
for a time without her strong sup
port. ready sympathy. keen under
standing and her royal comradeship.
The keynote Of her life was consist
| ency, which was so plainly marked in
her every day life and dealings that
none could doubt the genuinsness of
her Christianity. Free hearted hospi-
tality to all was pre-eminently one of
the guiding principles of her life, and
rich and poor, young and old, the sick
and afflicted, people from all walks of
I, life have been sheltered under her
roof tree, To the stranger within the
gates and to friends alike, she dis
pensed her gracious hospitality which
varied from opening her home to
weddings-which actually happened
seven times aside from those of her
own family--to giving the humble cup
of cold water or fragrant cup of tea.
Mother Smith, as she was affec-
| tionately called by her numberless
family Of friends. vas noted cook
and many, especially her younger
friends, while partaking of her deli
cately seasoned and we'll prepared
food, also imbibed her timely advice
and practical counsel. Their name is
Legion who will testify to being guild
ed to nobler ideals and to higher
plane of Christian living through the
ministrations of this "mothery" li&tle
body.
Often times she entertained "an-
gels unawares" as is the case with all
who are "given to hospitality" and
from the north, south, east and west
d
whom she has befriended, for she fed
the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty,
sheltered and cared for the stranger,
gave to the needy, and visited the
sick and afflicted To such as she the
King will say: "Inasmuch as ye have
done this unto the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto Me-"
"Come ye blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world"
Mrs. Smith was a patient sufferer.
! having contracted asthma in violent
form about twelve years ago. Medi-
cal help and change of climate af-
forded no relief from this terrible
scourge and for many months all her
strength was used in continued
struggle for breath, but in spite of
her sufferings her interest," il those
around her and her community inter-
ests were as alert as ever.
Perhaps her greatest public work
has been done in the w. c. T. U, of
for about thirty-tive years and a great
devotee to the principles of the Or
ganization. For many years she was
superintendent of medal contest work
in the fourteenth district. Her dis
trict for many years held the prize
banner awarded by the state TO the
district holding the most contests. At
one time she entered one of the con-
tests and won silver medal when
her daughter. now Mrs. Otto Savoid,
was but ten months old. In company
with Miss Elizabeth Preston, now
Mrs. Jas. Anderson, wife of District
Superintendent Anderson of Fargo,
she assisted in organizing several
unions. In spite Of Ill health she has
acted as president Of the Oakes union
at different times.
In the church Of her choice-the
Methodist Episcopal al-she was vitally
interested in all department work and
in the various organizations, being
treasurer of the Woman's Home Mis-
sionary Society and a member of the
home department Of the Sunday
school. OF late years she had become
greatly interested in the work Of the
Woman's Foreign Missionary society,
especially in giving to its support
Not being physically able to attend
the meetings she took d mite box,
which in reality became might
box. AZ last year this silent pleader
Ess,l,on nnssnad conta fnnA a4ha.4asn al