OBITUARY: Ruth Bowers Berryman, 14 Jun 1893 - Madison Co, GA Submitted by Brenda Ziegler [brendaz@gnrac.net] 18 Oct 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source Unknown "WHERE THE WICKED CEASE FROM TROUBLING AND THE WEARY BE AT REST" DEATH MAKES ANOTHER CLAIM On last Wednesday morning, June 14, 1893, at just 7:20 o'clock, the messenger of death entered a once happy home and took thence a loving wife and mother, Mrs. Ruth Berryman. And the grim monster came so soon - so suddenly, we could scarcely realize and reconcile his work. But the scenes of her natural life are now all over - it is done. She was the second daughter and third child of W. F. and Christiana Bowers, who yet survive, now living at this place. She was born 38 years ago, August 10, 1855, in Franklin county, where her early childhood was spent, about 4 miles south of this place near Rice Creek Mills, now owned by S. P. Bond. Here the first events of her childhood began to transpire, the memory of which is yet tender and dear to those who caught the first accounts of her stammering tongue, and followed the first foot-prints of the roving feet. At the age of 5 years, she moved with the family into Hart county, two miles east of this place, then owned by Joseph Cheek, where afterwards was located old Bowersville postoffice. It was about this old home that the happier scenes of her girlhood cluster around Here as one in a complete family of nine children, what happy days were spent. Rare was the equal ever seen whose blessings were so rich and profuse. Dreams could be but little more lovely than the bright days connected with her life at this old country home. Their memory comes fresh once more as we trace down the time, and think one by one of the many special occasions and scenes so dear which cling to recollection's view. O! for a moment we yearn - sadness comes because she is no more here to refer to, and fill her sphere. While it is natural to trace these thoughts and feel these ties, yet they bring care! There is a brighter thought - a freer thought - a thought to relieve our cares, and heal the anguish, and dispel all gloom. May we not have this thought? Is the burden so great and so near that there is no room? It must be a rejoicing; that when yet very young she chose, as Mary did, the good part that shall never be taken away from her, having from the first been taught the importance of the one thing needful and at the age of 15 years she separated herself with the Church of God at old Canon, where her membership remained identified until her death; yea, and may we not think that she is still a member waiting for the redemption of the body to share in the glories that shall be revealed? For we think that she considered that the sufferings, the patience, the rejection, the persecutions and troubles here below, were not worthy to be compared to these glories, when Christ comes again to gather his jewels; where the meek shall inherit the earth and His saints shall reign with Him here. No wonder there may be rejoicing in these glorious thoughts, to all who are prepared, although on the other hand we may be grieved and distressed, and our hearts wounded and bleeding over the PRESENT loss. And we know that our Lord ruleth these things, and that they are right and will so be overruled. We know He will bring again at the first resurrection, all those who sleep in Him, when all loss that appears now will be turned to gain. Then let all our hopes be in this resurrection from the dead for death hath no more power over those who have a part in it, and blessed are they, it hath been said. Soon this time approacheth and the bars of death may not hold but a little while those who now go thither - those who have a living faith, redeemed in His blood - those who are to reign with Him here a thousand years. This fact is a glory to consider. At the age of 20 years she was married to Benj. H. Berryman, and afterward moved to his home in Madison county, three miles south of Royston, where she lived the remainder of her life. She leaves behind her husband, who must feel the loss as the heaviest stroke, but he has the same comfort mentioned above for his solace in this sore distress. Also she leaves seven little children, who are motherless to-night. It is for them - Bernice, Jeptha, Inez, Eunice, Jerome, Clay and Sally - that anxious feelings reach out. But there is one who may amply provide, who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me." Him they should remember now in the days of their youth, while the evil days come not. We might speak much more concerning the things of her life, her character, her love, her faith, forbearance and humility, but the time forbids. All who knew her well may treasure them and they may be among the works which follow her. Her remains were interred near her home in Madison county, beside five of her little sleeping children, and her husband's mother, who only a short while preceeded her, there to remain a little while we think, until the "trump of God shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise first."