The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-11
MRS. BRANTLEY A. WEATHERS

After many months OF illness, which
she bore with the patience of saint,
Mrs. Brantley A. Weathers entered
this morning into everlasting rest. The
end has been expected for months; at
one time she went right down to the
bank of the dark river, but came back
to comfort and cheer her loved ones
for a few weeks more.
With her when she passed away
were her husband, one son, Mr.. Hib-
bert Weathers, her eldest daughter,
Mrs. George Ford, and Mr.. Ford, and
her niece. Mrs. l. V. Stevens. The
parting was peaceful-the watchers at
her bedside scarce knew the minute
when the death angel bore the gentle
spirit away.
Marion Jane (Ferguson) Weathers
was born August 5, 1855, at Emathla,
Marion county, some twelve or thir-
teen miles northwest of Ocala. She
was the fourth daughter of Neil Fer
guson and Nancy Brooks Ferguson.
Her flasher died Dec. 2, 1871, but her
mother remained with her children
and friends more than two-score years
longer, passing away Nov. 7, 1914.
Love came early into the life of Miss
Marion Ferguson, and at her home at
Emathla, Feb. 8, 1875, she became the
bride of Mr.. Brantley Alexander
Weathers. Mr.. Weathers was the
third son of Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin
Weathers Jr., whose home was on a
neighboring plantation.
Mr.. and Mrs. Weathers moved i'm
mediately to Ocala and founded a
home, one as near ideal as mortal
homes can ever be. Here for forty
seven years they have lived, happy in
each others love, rearing family of
children who have followed in the
footsteps of their parents, all devoted
to each other, kind and faithful to
their friends and helpful to their COM
munity.
Mrs. Weathers was cultured wom-
an, educated not only in home schools
but by private tutors and finishing at
| the Southern Female Seminary at
Greenville, S. c., now the Greenville
College for Women.
Her father, Neil Ferguson, was a
native of Scotland, coming to America
in 1888, and becoming one of the first
settlers in this part of Florida. Her
mother, Mrs. Nancy (Brooks) Fergu-
son, was born in that part of western
Marion which was later transferred to
Levy.
Beside her devoted husband, whose
chief help and comfort she has been
for forty-seven years, Mrs. Weathers
leaves the following sons and daugh-
tiers: Neil A. Weathers of New York
city. Marion Esther (Mrs. George H.
Ford) of Jacksonville. Benjamin S.
Weathers of Jacksonville Hibbard NJ.
Weathers of Winston-Salem, S. C.
Janet Ferguson MRS. Stephen Jewett)
of Savannah, Ga. Brantley A. Wealth
ers Jr., of New York city. Paul D.
Weathers of Amsterdam, N. Y. Also
Mrs. I. V. Stevens of Lakeland, de-
voted niece, who has been to Mr.. and
Mrs. Weathers like daughter. She
also leaves a brother, Robert William
Ferguson, now the last survivor of
eleven children, who makes his home
on the old plantation near Emathla
| Mrs WeatherS was member of
the United Daughters of the Confed-
eracy. She and her husband were
among the organizers of Grace Epis-
copal church of Ocala, and its first
parish meeting was held in their home
She was member of ST. Margaret
Guild and an organizer of the Won
ans Auxiliary, the oldest woman's or
ganization in Ocala.
She was the oldest living member OF
the organization, and held the office OF
treasurer from the time of its organi
cation to her death, thirty-four years.
In the death of this noble lady, ou1
city has lost one whose place in the
hearts of her family and friends can
not be filled. May the comforter be
with them until their sorrow turns
into the joy of the everlasting reunion
The funeral arrangements are not
known at the present writing, 90 a
NJ, but will probably be given on the
first page of the paper.