Dale County AlArchives Obituaries.....Thomas G. Loftin May 6 1926 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 9, 2004, 2:49 pm IN LOVING Memory of Uncle TOM Loftin The heart of the people of Skipperville community were made sad on the morning of Thursday May 6, when it became known that the spirit of Uncle Tom Loftin had passsed into the great beyond. Uncle Tom Had been confined to his bed for about three weeks and but little hope had been entertained from the beginning for his recovery although kind and loving hand of relative and friends and skilled physicians administered unto him faithfully until the end. Thoma Greene Loftin was born November 3rd. 1846, and died May 6th, 1926, being nearly 80 years of age at the time of his death. He had lived nearly all his life in this community, therefore he was well known by all the people in this section of the county. He was known to be a man of noble character, of great courage, unusual pluck and energy, and a man who lived a Godly life. He m arried Miss Mary Frances Trant on November 20, 1866. To this union was born six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom surive except one daughter, Lenora, who died some years. Early in their married life his wife became an invalid and naturally the care of his sick wife and the rearing of the children and support of the family fell on Uncle Tom. It was at this time that his courage stood him well for be never once lost heart as so many men would have done. But as he said he put his shoulder to the wheel and went to work.And work he did, from early until late and always in a cheerful manner. It has never been our privlege to know any one who was possessed of a more cheerful disposition, Always the things he undertook to do he did well. never letting little things discourage him. As an example I remember when It was determined to erect a church building at Skipperville he was placed On the building committee. When the work was begun he would never allow anything to hinder his plans until the Work was completed and it was largely through his untiring efforts that we have the present church building as a monument, to his pluck and determination. He Joined the Methodist Church at Asbury when quite a young man, and was soundly converted to God. He was always ready and anxios to be doing something for his Masters cause. He was superintendent of Sunday Schools at different places for a number of years and served as Stewart of the church that Skipperville until superannuated last Conference on account of infirmities. He was a constant reader of the Bible, the Christian Advocate, and other good literature. He was a true follower of the living God and lived a Godly life in his home as well as before men. His family devotion was a daily custom, each night he would read a portion of scripture sing a hymn and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to his Lord. During this service he would sometimes become happy and shout God's Praises. He has a number of times when working in his field become happy and kneeling between the plow handles in prayer, then would arise shouting praises to God for His goodness to him. He will be greatly missed in the community, and the church will miss his financial aid as well as his spiritual influence for he was no slacker when it came to bearing the financial burdens of the church but on the other hand was a most liberal giver. He was ever ready to help the poor and needy, never turning anyone away when in need of financial help. Uncle Tom sometimes said that had he educated he might have been a preacher, but we feel that he really was a preached anyway for what better preaching can there be than an honest, upright, consecrated Godly life, one that is willing to spend and be spent in furthering the Master's cause on earth? It was sweet to know Uncle Tom and be closely associated with him as I was for he spent many happy hours in my home. But he will be with us here on earth no more and we only cherish our sweet memories of him. He was a soldier in the Civil War. Being too young to enlist in the beginning he enlisted when he became old enough and went into service for his country. He was taken as a prisoner of war at one time and endured many hardships. He told me only a few months ago of his return home at the close of the war. His parents had been told a few day before that their son had died in the army and being like other parents would have been -- very anxious to learn the particulars of their sons death had gone to Cloplon to see if by some means they might learn more of his death. While they were away Uncle Tom arrived home, able to get there though he had been seriously sick. When his parents came within hearing distance of home they heard him singing, as Uncle Tom expressed it to me "To beat the band." Any one can imagine the joy of his parents at finding him at home, alive, and able to sing. We can imagine that he is now at home again, his eternal home and that again he is singing-singing the songs of the redeemed around the throne of God. We deeply sympathize with all his children and grand children in the loss of their noble father with his counsel and advice; and wo do especially sympathize with his aged and afflicted companion with whom he spent so many happy years and to whom his presence meant so much. His loving niece, Lillie Loftin Baker. From the file of Harold Stephens. This was his GgrandFather, the father of his Gmother Stephens. Buried Asbury United Meth. Church Cemetery Thomas G. Loftin, b Nov. 3, 1846, died May 6, 1926. Mary F. Trant Loftin, b Jan.9, 1846, died JAn.5, 1931. Lenora F. Loftin, b Apr. 29, 1876, died Nov. 17, 1900. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.9 Kb