Butts County GaArchives Obituaries.....Fletcher, Neva September 21 1895 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Don Bankston http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00024.html#0005864 February 3, 2005, 9:06 pm Jackson Argus – Week of November 15, 1895 Neva Fletcher – Obituary Death is rarely ever a welcome visitor but when he speaks to one just in the strength and beauty of young womanhood, leaving in his pathway sadness and gloom, tear-wet eyes and___INDISTINCT PRINT___voids in friendly__INDISTINCT PRINT__place in the old___INDISTINCT PRINT____bruising of the hearts left to mourn. So it was when God spoke to the subject of this sketch and said, “Come home, my child, come home and read your titles clear on mansions in the skies.” Neva, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Fletcher, was born in Butts county, Georgia, April 19, 1877, and died at the home of her nativity September21, 1895, being in her nineteenth year. Her childhood, running like a silver cord through the lives of the dear ones at home to bind their hearts together in love was as sweet and gentle as it was pure and innocent. The sparks of her eyes blending with the smiles that lighted her face told of a beautiful soul within, which under the parent training of a pious, intelligent Christian mother, rapidly developed the virtues that adorn the Christian character. In the writer’s first school, she recited her first lesson. Happy thoughts fill the memory when the mild reverts to the days, when in the little school house standing under the wide spreading branches of giant oaks, in the quiet of the country, the writer pictures the sweet, happy faces of the little group of children that composed this school. No happier face than Neva’s was there. Bright, studious, obedient, she made rapid progress and stood easily among the first of her class; beautifully trained at home, her good manners and kind disposition made her a favorite with teacher and pupil; generous to a (___?_____) and broad in her sympathies, she was rich in the possession of friendships. From the country schools she went to Jackson Institute where she received preparation for Junior class in Gordon Institute at Barnesville, Ga., where she graduated with distinction in June 1894. Along with her literary training, she studied the art of painting and became quite skilled in the art Her accomplishments well fitted her to become a leading teacher or to enrich any home or the social fabric of any community with her queenly grace, gentle manners and Christian spirit. To know her was to love her. At the age of fourteen Miss Fletcher joined the Presbyterian church and enjoyed a happy Christian experience in her close walk with God. She was n earnest Sabbath school worker, and her place in old Fellowship will not be easily filled. Her last days were happy, yet sad. Her brother, Prof. Henry M. Fletcher, entered upon his unusual summer vacation in June in a very low state of health, and went to his father’s home to recuperate. Reaching home, he found that he had contacted fever. During his long suffering Neva was constantly by his bedside, and her devotion was a source of much happiness and comfort to him, as well as a beautiful testimonial of her appreciation of his interesting her education. Her brother recovered, but in the lapse of many weeks the fever’s blight fastened itself upon her. This aggression was strong and stubborn, and despite the tender nursing of parents and friends and the continued effort of the finest medical skill available, her cheeks gradually wasted away until the final summons came, then in the language of Bryant, “Sustained and soothed in an unfaltering trust, she approached the grave. The one who wraps the drapery of his couch trust him, and lies down to pleasant dreaming.” And her immortal spirit plumed its fiery wings to take its flight to the heavens of eternal bliss beyond the thunder’s home or the lightning’s horrid flash. For her, death had lost its sting, and the grave had lost its Victory J. C. Woodward – Milledgeville, Ga. Neva Fletcher - In Memoriam On the morning of September 21, 1895, just as the sun was peeping o’er the horizon, the Angel of Death came into the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Fletcher and fitted the immortal soul of their much beloved daughter, Neva, into eternal rest. Many loving hearts are filled with sorrowing at the departure of this gentle, pure and noble girl. Favored with personal beauty, a bright mind, tender heart and noble aspirations, she was the joy, the pride, the hope of a most affectionate father and mother. Three fond brothers miss her sweet voice; her gentle tenderness; other relation who loved her with a love almost paternal mourn irreparable loss. Hosts of sincere friends made by her cheerful, genial self-sacrificing disposition, are rarely bereaved, now that she no longer dwells on earth. But all those who sorrow for her are comforted by the assurance of the Father that the “pure in heart shall see God.” Her spotless spirit is now at rest in the bosom of her Redeemer, whom she early confessed, and so faithfully and trustingly served. Her body lies in the grave, but her soul lives in eternal bliss in heaven; and her memory locked in the hearts of those who loved her abideth still on earth. And her influence for good is impressed on the character of those who knew her. Though she dwelt with us only for the brief period of eighteen summers, yet are we made nobler and purer by her Christian example. “For everything about her resembled the purity of her soul.” We are not allowed to look beyond the invisible line, which divides time from eternity, but if we were only permitted one glance into that mysterious realm, we call the future, we should doubtless see that there was somewhat awaiting her so much sorrow and anguish, that God in mercy took her from earth to heaven to live and love with Him. She was the idol of an affectionate family; surrounded with all the comforts of life and a large circle of friends, to her the future presented an inviting prospect, but today she is with that “great multitude which no man could number, that stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in whit robes and palms in their hands,” while our hearts are stricken with heavy grief. “Thou art not in the grave confined, Death cannot claim the immortal mind; Let earth close o’er its sacred trust, But goodness dies not in the dust.” In addition to this obituary, the committee has drafted the following resolutions: Whereas, God, in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to allow the hand of death to remove from our midst our beloved friend and faithful sister, Neva Fletcher, therefore, be it Resolved 1, That we bow in humble submission to this dispensation of the Divine will, remembering that sooner or later the same sad summons awaits us all. Resolved 2, That we extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and friends of our deceased, pointing them for consolation to Him who heals all diseases and soothes all sorrows. Resolved 3, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the stricken and grieved family of the deceased, and that the secretary record the above on the church book and that a page of the same be dedicated to her memory. Resolve 4, That a copy of this entire paper be sent to The Jackson Argus for publication. Towaliga, Georgia Mrs. W. H. Foster Mrs. S. J. Bailey Miss Maggie Foster Miss Clara Woodward Miss May Woodward, Committee File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/butts/obits/f/gob2219fletcher.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.9 Kb