Smyrna times., 1926-10-06
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
James H.Roberts, Retired Farmer and
Banker, Dies at His Home on Mt.
Vernon st. After Lingering Illness

Vernon st. After Lingering Illness
James H. Roberts, aged 70, retired
farmer and banker, and one Of Smyr-
mas best citizens, died Wednesday
night after lingering illness. While
he had suffered several strokes Of
paralysis the immediate cause of his
death was augina pectoris. Mr.. Rob
Roberts and was born and raised near
Smyrna. He followed farming num-
Der of years and sometime after the
death of his father moved to Smyrna
and occupied the old homestead. He
continued to keep in close touch with
his farm and visited it almost every
day during the growing season. He
was a director of the National Bank
Of Smyrna and an Elder in the FirH5
Presbyterian Church of Smyrna. His
counsel and advice was much sought
in both these activities. Mr. Roberts
was married twice, his first wife was
Miss Kate Spruance and his second
wife was Miss Alice Spruance, both
daughters of the late Horace Spru-
ance of this town. 1 His widow, Mrs.
Alice Spruance Roberts survives. He
is also survived by one niece, Mrs.
Mary Roberts Ashbbrook, wife of DR..
w. B. Ashbrook of Wilmington. His
only brother, John w. Roberts, died
several years ago. Funeral services
took place from his late residence,
corner of Mt. Vernon and Union
streets at 2.30 Saturday afternoon in
charge of Rev. John McComb, pastor
of the Presbyterian Church, and in
terment was in Odd Fellows GEM
etery.
Maynard T. Griffith Passes Away
Maynard T. Griffith, aged AZ, who
for years had been an invalid living
with his mother, Mrs. Ella I. Grif-
fifth on West Commerce street, died
shortly after midnight Monday night
after lingering illness. He had been
helpless for months. Mr.. Grifith's
breakdown took place five or six
years ago and despite medical skill
and attention he grew worse. A
bright young man, well educated, and
with future before him, his break
down was an occasion Of much sorrow
and regret. Mr. Griffith was a son of
the late A. Price Griffith and Of Mrs.
Ella Thompson Griffith Of this town.
He graduated from the Smyrna High
School, entered Delaware College,
University of Delaware, graduating
with his class of 1906. He was. for
a time employed at u. NJ. Prices fer
tilizer office and during the war did
service duty at Hog Island, one of the
big munition plants. 1t was following
this that his breakdown had its be-
ginning. He was a member and past
master Of Harmony Lodge, No. 13,
a. F. and a. M., member Of the
State Militia and assisted Rev. Thorn
as Getz Hill in the organization Of,
the Smyrna Boy Scouts. He is sur
vived by his mother and one sister,
Miss Julia Griffith, one Of the faculty
of Smyrna Special District Schools.
Funeral vii take place from his late
residence on Commerce street, Thurs
day afternoon at 1.3O o'clock, with in
terment at Glenwood Cemetery. The
Masons will have charge of the SER
vices at the grave.
Mrs. Reuben Ford of Market Street
Mrs. Isabel Ford, So years old, wife
of Reuben Ford, long a farmer of the
Smyrna vicinity, who moved to Smyr-
ma two years ago, died at her home
early Monday morning after a long
illness from tuberculosis. She was a
daughter of the late Carey Frazier
and was born near Cecilton, Mary
land. She spent her married life in
Smyrna and vicinity. A good christ
ian woman, devoted to her home and
children and a consistent member of |
the Methodist Episcopal Church, gen
erous to fault, she was always ready |
to help those in need. She was for |
many years a member Of Bethel |
Church near Cheswold. She is sur
vived by three sons, r. Fraley Ford, |
Pa; Raymond Ford, near |
Kenton, and Vernon Ford, Smyrna,
and a daughter, Mrs. James S. Moore,
Three sisters also sur
vive, Mrs. John p. Jones, Mrs. How
ard Jones, and Mrs. Lydia Ford,
Smyrna. Funeral services were held |
IN Asbury M. E. Church this Wednes-
lay afternoon, at 2 o'clock, and inter
ment was in Odd Fellows cemetery. |
Rev. H. E. Reed, pastor of Cheswold |
NJ. E. Church, assisted by Rev. DR..
R. X. Stephenson Of Asbury NJ. z.
Church, had charge Of the services.
Miss Rachel CIeaver, Delaware City
Miss Rachel Cleaver died at her
nome at Delaware City, Friday after
noon at 1.30 o'clock. She was sudden
" stricken on Monday of last week
and never rallied from the stroke. The
was one of the oldest wom-