MERIWETHER COUNTY, GA - BIOS   Mrs Catherine A. Jossey Simonton

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TRIBUTE TO MRS. SIMONTON

Mrs. C.A. Simonton was born in Wilkes county,
Georgia, August the 26th, 1824, and died in
Greenville, January 14, 1891, being in her 67th
year.

Mrs. Simonton, then Miss Catherine A. Jossey, was
united in marriage to Judge John A. Simonton, of
Greensboro, in August, 1848.  After living in
Greenboro for two years she moved back to
Greenville, therefore, Mrs. Simonton lived in our
town for almost threescore years.

Mrs. Simonton was an extraordinarily gifted and
useful lady.  In social affairs and entertainments
she was a leader.  In the interests of the church
she was foremost in the Sunday school of which she
was teacher almost from the organization of the
Greenville Sabbath school.  When the writer came to
Greenville, thirty five years ago, she led the music
of the school and was the moving spirit in the
purchase of the first organ ever used in a
Greenville Sabbath school.  She filled this position
as well as church organist until increasing
infirmities forced her a few years ago to retire, to
the great regret of all.  When Dr. J. M. Bonnell,
afterwards president of Wesleyan Female College,
then a teacher of Greenville, was superintendent of
the Sabbath school, Mrs. Simonton was one of his
most valuable assistants in the organization of the
first ladies missionary society in Greenville.  Mrs.
Simonton was a leading spirit.  She was a prime
mover in organizing the parsonage aid society.  In
revivals she looked carefully after her Sunday
school class first and then the children of her
friends.  Unless providentially hindered her seat in
the sanctuary during the morning and night services
weekly prayer meetings and Sunday school exercises
was never vacant.  Though always busy for herself
and others she had time to be at there place at
every service.

Mrs. Simonton was a leader every where because she
was qualified to lead.  Her housekeeping was
perfect.  Her busy fingers were skilled in working
the handsome patterns that adorn the rooms and
firesides of the most beautiful homes.  Her flower
yards and hedges were the wonder and beauty of the
town.  A wedding supper or social dining was not
regarded as complete unless Mrs. Simonton's taste
had shaped the wreathes, trimmed iced and embossed
the cakes.  Her jellies and preserves graced all
such occasions while her tact, smiles, songs and
music added to the enjoyment of the social
assemblage.

Was the village cemetery to be cared for and the
graves of the valiant spirits who felt in the
southern cause to be decked with vernal flowers,
Mrs. Simonton summoned the ladies to her side,
secured the aid of the pretty maidens, the
industrious youths and sturdy yeoman, with the lead
Lorded with her own hands and directing care until
the city of the dead showed the true affection of
the living.  

Did sickness fall heavily upon any Greenville
household, rich or poor, Mrs. Simonton, was the
first to reach the bedside of the sufferer.  With
tender care and unfailing zeal the fevered brow was
cooled or the racking pains soothed.  Here she was
truly a ministering angel and her deeds of mercy and
ministrations of love will never be forgotten.

For the bridal she twined the loveliest wreaths and
for the tomb the choicest flowers were culled to
adorn the cultural form.  Her thoughtful love and
care placing the wreath upon the clayey mound after
the last clods had been heaped upon the newly raised
grave.

The services of Mrs. Simonton at musical and
literary entertainments celebrations and concerns
were invaluable and eagerly sought.  Her ready pen
supplied an appropriate poem or play her musical
taste lead to the selection of suitable music and
solos and her intimate knowledge of the children
gave the performer the character or music best
suited the age, taste and capacity of each one.  A
friend says he first saw Mrs. Simonton as a young
lady, presiding over the music at a May festival.
Her beauty and talents were eminently conspicuous
and her songs encored.  She was a general favorite,
exhibiting rare grace, beauty and culture.

As wife, mother, friend and Christian Mrs. Simonton
was a model.  Her ease, grace and tact earned her
society to be eagerly sought, while her virtues,
sincere piety and varied accomplishments made her
acquaintance and friendship to be highly prized by
the best and most intelligent people.

Too much cannot be said in praise of this excellent
lady.  Her sufferings were protracted but patiently
borne.  To the last her friends were cordially
welcomed.  Even after disease had wasted her
strength she requested to be carried to church
during recent revival services.  She taught us how
to live how to work how to suffer and how to die.  

The funeral services were held at the Methodist
church on Thursday last.  The pastor's talk being
one of the most appropriate, touching and faithful
tributes we ever heard.  While Dr. Lowery had not
known the deceased personally her Dorcas like life
found ready witnesses who filled the good man's
heart and soul with a recital of the good deeds of a
true mother in lauri. 

Mrs. Simonton leaves seven children two daughters
and five sons.  May these children follow the
example of their excellent mother and so live that
all may be reunited in that land where partings come
no more.

The Meriwether Vindicator
January 23, 1891

NOTE:	  Transcribed as written as closely as was possible.  Some words were difficult to read.  Transcribed by:  Elaine McLaughlin Bonds