Dougherty-Twiggs County GaArchives Obituaries.....Sarah Williams Hodges August 22 1856
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Renee Werth brtwerth@cox.net April 21, 2004, 11:04 am

The Benton Barnett Family History by Mrs. Alice Glaze Lowrey compiled for Rossie Barnett Benton in 1920
Obituary.......Mrs. Sarah Williams Hodges, died at the residence of her son, 
James Shine Miller, in Dougherty County, Ga. August 22, 1856, aged 72 years.

She was born in Jones County, N. C. in the year 1784.  Her parents were John 
and Clarissa Shine.  The family name of her mother was Williams.  The deceased 
was the niece of Mrs. Clarissa Nixon of Topsail Inlet, near Wilmington, N. C. 
who is mentioned in the Journal of Bishop Asbury.  She was also the niece of 
Rev. Daniel Shine of Louisburg, N. C. who traveled in the Virginia Conference 
as far back as 1795--one of the excellent men of the earth who lived to do 
good.

In 1804 she was married to James Miller, with whom she lived in great 
happiness until his death in 1829.  By this marriage she had nine children, 
five of whom survive.

In the course of her pilgrimage whe was called to endure many trials; but her 
faith never wavered, her song of praise never ceased--for she had constant 
melody in her heart.  Her house was the preachers home.  It was her privilege 
to hear Bishop Asbury preach.  About forty years ago that ornament of the 
church, now Bishop Early, was Presiding Elder of the District in which she 
resided, and was often her guest.  In 1821, the venerable Bishop McKendree and 
his traveling companion, Rev. Henry Smith, spent two days at her house, under 
her roof, accompanied by Rev. Robert Flournoy of the South Carolina Conference.

She loved to talk about her Presiding Elders of other days:  Hines, Skidmore, 
Compton, Howard, Arson, and others, and of the Circuit riders, to all of whom 
she was a sister indeed.  Most of these laborers in the Vineyard have gone on 
high.  The sainted mother in Israel has at length followed, to join the loved 
ones near the throne of the Redeemer.

In 1832 she removed from Jones County, N.C., with the son at whose house she 
died; and in 1837 she was married to Edmund Hodges, a man of advanced age, 
whose children had grown and left him.  With this good man she passed six 
years in harmony, until his death in 1843.  She afterwards resided near Andrew 
Chapel, (Twiggs County) where she had her membership.  Always in her seat on 
days of public worship, and at class meeting, she enjoyed the sanctuary as her 
chosen spot.  God often filled her cup of joy to overflowing.

For the last few years she resided with her son near Albany, whose large 
family of daughters, from womanhood to infancy, appealed to her maternal 
heart, and called forth all its tender emotion.  She was the priestess of the 
household.  All were instructed in holy things, and prayer ascended at the 
family alter.

She was ill but three days, and her confidence in God was firm to the last.  
To her relatives at her bedside she feebly uttered these dying words--"I'm 
almost gone--if I were not prepared it would be too late now," and then calmly 
closing her eyes, she fell asleep in Jesus.

Additional Comments:
Sarah Williams Shine Miller Hodges is this submitter's great, great, great, 
great grandmother.

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