The Semi-weekly leader., 1921-12-17


After a long life Of nearly four
score years. Mrs. Charity Simmons
Kees closed her kindly eyes in the
sleep that knows no waking, Thurs
day morning at about S:s0, Decem-
ber Is, 1921, at the home of one of
her sons, Mr.. l. G. KEGS where she
had lived much Of her time since
she came to Brookhaven in 1905 to
make her home.
Several of Mrs. KEGS honored and
honorable sons had preceded her
le Z and Der loving spirit so follow
ca thea that her bodily presence na-
turally resulted and SO Brookhaven
cane to know her well and to value
her for her fine character and influ-
ence.
Mrs. Kees was bereft OF her life
companion in 1891 when. she was
left with. eight sons, only two of
them having reached their majority
at that time. Seven of these child
rem are left to mourn the going of
most loving mother. They~are w.
W., L. p, w. c., Fred, M. ", l. c.
and c. f. Grover died in his young
manhood and two little sons passed
in early life. Beside these sons,
there are number of grandchildren.
So devoted to her own was this
ideal mother that she once said II
can't help but love the children best
that look like my own From her
nervelesss fingers at the last, dropped
the knitting she was still doing for
one of her sons. She never ceased
to serve.
In her last days, when she SEEM
ed too weak to be about, she said:
81 want the church to be the last
place / go to'-and it was. Her
Sunday School lesson book today is
in the pocket Of her coat where she
placed it. She never missed any
service in her church if possible to
be present.
Her life was so permeated with the
Gospel she professed that in the very
shadow of Death, while being urged
to take medicine she gave express
sion to the following beautiful SEN
timent:- after God has given us
so long a time together, let's not be
impatient at the end" In every
thing and at all times Mrs. KEGS
manifested the Christ-like spirit, as
birds sing or as flowers bloom in un-
conscious performance of their mis-
sion.
I'm such long and well round
ed life, the officiating minister, Rev.
w. H. Morgan, said God has reach
ed to limit of His might and the
strength and beauty of his purpose.
Pastor ]. A. Taylor, of the First
Baptist Church.. was assisted by Mr.
Morgan, beloved ex-pastor of the
dead, at the funeral ceremonies at
the church yesterday morning, Rev.
I H. Anding giving the closing pray
er.
Mr.. Taylor read from Hebrews,
C. emphasizing There remaineth
therefore rest to the people of
Cod" favorite passage of the de-
parted.
Mr.. Morgan, who had known Mrs.
Kees throughout the seven years of
his Brookhaven pastorate, spoke e.
loquently and sincerely of the life he
knew paying highest tribute to it.
Music was furnished by select
choir and beautiful floral offerings
graced the rostrum in front of which
was placed the soft grey casket COW
cred with exquisite flowers from
various organizations to which the
deceased belonged.
The body was laid to rest at the
old family cemetery near Fair Riv-
er where the lives of all the bereav-
ed sons first began, and where lie
buried the husband and father near
the graves of the three children who
preceded their mother to the tomb.
A number of out-of-town relatives
and friends came to pay the last tri=
butte Of respect. Mrs. Kees was
widely known and as widely loved.
Her three sisters, Mines. Summers,
Dale and Hennis preceded her to the
grave and few are left of her early
associates.
Her memory will be cherished thru
succeeding generations of her family
and her fine influence will endure
until time shall be no more.
Soldier of God! Well done!
Rest from they loved employ
The battle fought, the victory
won
Enter thy Masters joy.