Clay County AlArchives Obituaries.....Orr, Robert D. February 21, 1896
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Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 May 30, 2018, 11:15 pm

Clay County Advance (Ashland, AL) Fri Mar 13, 1896

            ROBT. D. ORR.
   Robt. D. Orr was born in Randolph county, Ala.,--
now a portion of Clay county, July 2nd 1849, and
died at  his home in Lineville, Alabama, February
21st 1896.
  He spend almost the whole of his life in this
immediate country, and no man, perhaps, in Clay
county, possessed a greater share of the confidence
of those who knew him. His early youth was not that 
example of christian forbearance and self control,
which were so conspicuous in his later years.
An ardent impulsive, fearless spirit had not yet
yielded to riper judgement. He was magnanimous
and unselfish. He abjured dissimulation and the
open frankness of his nature caused him even in
his youth to be known just as he was.
   A number of years ago he became converted to 
the christian faith, and ever afterwards his 
life conformed to his high ideal with unusual
fidelity. This faith grew stronger as death drew
near, and when the writer told him he was dying,
he replied "I know it but as to the future I have
nothing to fear. There is nothing so real as faith.
Two things grieve me, leaving my family and the
recollection that so much of my life was spent
unprofitable." To his pastor he said. "God knows
what is best, I am submissive to his will." A 
few days before his death while talking to a friend
in whom he felt much interest, he expressed a regret
that he had not talked to this friend more on
religious matters, but added that if after death
those in Heaven are permitted to know of things here
on earth that be world still feel and interest in 
this friend and intercede for his salvation. And
only a few minutes before he breathed his last he
said to this friend "I feel that the end is near"
"I shall remember my promise to you" referring
to the conversation a few days before.
   His special solicitude was about his wife and
boy, and expressed regret that he had not left a
letter for the babe, but stated that he was then
too weak to write it, he then asked a friend to
write for him the following to his son.
 SIDNEY CARSON ORR,
     MY DEAR SON. I dictate this to you in my last
hours. I want you to learn to know the law for its
benefits, but my hope is that your life may be
devoted to God's service.
  Avoid evil association.
  Live a pure life morally.
  Obey your mother and the laws of the land.
  Be truthful and unselfish.
  I regret it is so that I can not live to provide
for you and advise you. Don't understand me to 
request you to become a preacher. My belief is that
the minister's calling is from God, but what ever
you follow do it with a view of serving God.
                        R. D. ORR
   Feb 22nd, 1896 12:p.m. After having the letter
read, to which he listened attentively he said,
"That is right, now let me sign it." He took the
pencil and with his icy cold hand signed his name 
to the letter.
   His physician then asked him if his surroundings
appeared natural, and what sensations he experienced.
He replied that, "everything looks natural" and a
little later said "I have a tired feeling and I 
believe I can discover that my memory is failing me."
He then said "hand me that glass". He took the
mirror in his hands, turned it so he could get a 
good view of the immage and looked at it carefully.
He then returned the mirror. His friends seeing
the end was at hand gathered round his bed. To
those he spoke words of comfort and hope. To his
sick wife who bowed by his side holding his cold
hands in hers spoke words of endearment and 
consolation.
  He thus met death in the full possession of his
faculties, calmly and bravely. He breathed his last
at 8 minutes before 2 p.m.
   "That man lives  greatly,
  Whate'r his fate, or fame, who greatly dies,
  High flushed with hope, where heroes shall despair."
                      W. H. BLAKE

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