Mary Holcomb

STAFFORD, Mary HOLCOMB - Died, on Monday, October 21, 1901, at 1:15 p.m., Mrs. Mary Stafford, aged 66 years. [Springdale News. 10/25/01] Week after week for 14 years in my capacity as a newspaper writer have I chronicled the departure from among us of relatives and friends, some near and dear, but the task now before me is the saddest that has ever fallen to my lot. As memory carries me back now over the years that are past the hands falter and the eyes are dimmed with tears. The best friend I ever had is gone. The mother who guided my youthful footsteps in the path of right, who prayed by my bedside and whose affections were bestowed with a lavish hand, lies in the silent city of the dead. The motherly breast whereon I was wont to sob away my youthful cares throbs no more with life, and the tender hands that have so oft.en wiped away my tears and soothed my troubled brow are now cold and still. The gentle voice which has dispelled many clouds and brought sunshine to my soul is forever stilled. Dear old mother is gone, The Springdale News 10/25/1901 Mary Holcomb was born in Indiana April 28, 1835, being a daughter of John and Dorothy Holcomb, and came to this section in her early youth.. When twenty years of age she made a profession of religion and united with the Primitive Baptist Church of which she has since been a member. In October, 1858, she was united in marriage to, who died August 29, 1867. The deathof her husband left her with three small children to care for, the eldest of whom, Mattie J., now Mrs. Beasley, was only eight years of age. The other children were Mable and John P., the former having died June 30, 1896. Possessed of only a very small portion of this world's goods her struggleto properly rear and educate her children was a hard one, but she bore her trials bravely. She had been in ill health for the past few years and a few months ago suffered a stroke of paralysis which disabled her lower limbs. This, coupled with spinal tuberculosis, caused her death. She was a great sufferer during her aflliction and to her death was a blessed relief. She had lived right and was not afraid to die. Funeral services were held at the residence of Jno. P. Stafford Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Eld. J.R. Loving, pastor of the Primitive Baptist Church, assisted by other ministers of the town. The pall bearers were nephews of the deceased. As a mark of respect public school was dismissed Tuesday afternoon and the remains were followed to their last resting place in Bluff Cemetery by many of her relatives and friends. Besides a daughter and son, the deceased leaves a large number of other relatives. Among the number are 3 brothers, Joseph, John and Silas Holcomb and 4 sisters, Mrs. Alfa Smiley, Mrs. Martha Bynum, Mrs. Ellen Walden, and Mrs. Dora Bynum, most of them present. J.P.S. [The Springdale News 10/25/1901]