The Little River news., 1920-01-21
Our Father

at nis home just east of this city at the age of 72 years, nine months and three days. It IS with heavy hearts that we ray these respects to him who has beer our daddy, our chum and coun- seiior all the days of our lives. The fl neral services were conducted Fri day at o'clock from the Methodist church in this city in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends, The body was laid to rest in the Ash down cemetery shortly after. The funeral services were in charge of the pastor, Rev s. K. Burnett, assisted by the presiding elder, Rev, J. L. Cannon, and the local Baptist pastor, Rev c. S.. Wales.
 Rev. J. L. Cannon, one of the old home boys, who grew up in the old community south of Lock asburg, and who went out to preach from this community in which our father reared his family, came up from Texarkana to deliver the address. He spoke without notes of the life of this man. which was to him like an open book The speakers first recollection of our father was when but little lad he approached the open grave of his own father and saw him standing there with a spade in his hand. This was typical of his life, one of service, He spoke of the old days when the forests had to be hewed down and the roads blaz- ed though the then new country wrought; of how he was a leader in the struggle to build up the rural schools when there were scarcely any public funds, and how he and others with their own hands and means erected school buildings that his children might have advantages. He spoke of how he had helped to up hold the church of which he was stewart. He told of his family life and his home and how his life had been devoted to his family; of how later his county had honored him.
 The church was beautifully decor ated and many beautiful florial offer ings rendered by friends, decorated the casket and altar. The pallbearers were: H, P. Haizlip, C. S. Cobb, Lon T. Jones, A. T. Collins and o. Leslie. The choir touched us with their sweet songs.
 The relatives present besides the inn mediate family, were, his sister, Mrs. T. M. Gallaher of Lockesburg, broth CT, Barnett Graves of DeQueen, niece Mrs. J. F. Walker of Foreman, and a nephew, A. E. Waters of this city. He is survived by our mother and four children: o. T. Graves, F. M Graves, Mrs. Dave Coulter of Ashdown, and Mrs. Roy Wheelis of Selma, La, All were present His surviving brothers and sisters, who were not here are: 5. Bean, Center Point, Floyd Graves, of Paraloma, Mrs. Kelly Hudson, De- Queen, Mrs. John Turrentine, Shreve- port.
 Our father was born in Mississippi, April 12, 1847. He moved with his father when but child to Arkansas and settled in Howard county near Center Point There he grew to man. hood. Shortly after the Civil War he moved with his father to Sevier coun- ty. He was married to Repsy Jane Pickens January 29, 1872. The two walked down life together for AS years. To them were born eight child ren, four dead, four living. Until a few years ago he lived just south of Lockesburg on his farm, From there he moved to Lockesburg, and on the second day of January 1919, he moved to AshdoWn and bought small farm just east of town to be near his child ren. With untiring energy he improv-. ed home in which to spend his de- clining years, Work was his life and happiness, working for those he loved.
 His last days work was the great
 sacrifice.
 He was known all over Sevier coun-
 ty where most of his old friends are
 They knew him for what he was. He
 helped to build the church with his
 own hands of which he was a stewart,
 Sunday school tealeher and class lead
 CT for the greater part of his life and
 until he moved away. He cared for
 more sick and distressed than any man