Mary Belle Mankins

CATE, Mary Belle - Obituary of Mrs. Mary B. Cate - Mrs. Mary Belle Cate, familiarly known as "Aunt Mary," daughter of Peter and Rachel Mankins, died at her home near Rieff Chapel, Sunday, November 2, 1930, 9:30 a.m., being 86 years and 6 days old. Her father lived to be 79 and her grandfather, Peter Mankins, 111.

She professed faith in Christ while yet in her teens and lived the Christian life 67 years. She first united with the Primitive Baptist Church at the old Baptist Ford, West Fork of White River, and later joined the Missionary Baptist Church, then lived several years in the Rieff's Chapel congregation of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, then reunited with the Missionary Baptist Church.

She was married to John H. Cate January 21, 1861, and was the mother of 14 children, 8 of whom are living. She was a good friend and neighbor and many people knew her to love her.

Surviving are her children, Mrs. Rachel N. Walker, West Fork, Robert L., Omar C., and H.H. Cate of Fayetteville, Lizzie E. McCrimmons, Kansas City, Mo., Edgar A. Cate, Raymond, Kansas, Lilly McKenzie, Lyons, Kansas and J. Clifford Cate of Tipton, Oklahoma.

A large number of friends and relatives including all her living children attended her funeral, conducted by Rev. G.L.M. Pond and Rev. J.H. Kelly. Interment was in the Rieff Chapel cemetery.

Just one week before her death forty-one of her relatives gave her a surprise birthday dinner in her home which she enjoyed very much. The oldest citizen of our community and a good woman has gone to her reward. - J.H. Kelly. [Arkansas Countryman 11/13/1930]