MERIWETHER COUNTY, GA - OBITS  Miss Mary Ann Elizabeth McLaughlin

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                      Gone to Rest                                                                                

Miss Mary Ann Elizabeth McLaughlin, was born in Mountville,
Troup County, Ga., September 7th, 1839, and died at her home at
Oak Ridge, Ga., May 19th, 1895. The funeral services were
conducted at the residence by Rev. A. S. Harris, her pastor,
and were impressively rendered. Her favorite songs were sung:
"In the Shadow of the Rock," "I need Thee every Hour." A large
assembly of friends was present, testifying  that she had not
merely existed, but had lived.

In writing this brief obituary, I shall endeavor to observe her
request, "that little be said in her praise, but let all praise
be ascribed to Him, who is worthy, and the living warned to a
necessary preparation for the solemn hour which awaits us all."
She was reared by loving parents, Josiah T. and Mary Ann Jane
McLaughlin, whose christianity shine today in the hearts of
those who knew them. Her mother exemplified the lovely example
of that "Mary," who sat at the Master's feet and her children
today, rise up and call her blessed.

It was my blessed privilege to be often with Miss Lizzie during
her sore afflictions, and the blessing that my visits brought
me will be a sweet comfort through life. We talked together
"heart to heart," prayed together and enjoyed reading the
blessed promises of God to the weary and faithful. Often have I
seen the tear drop in her eyes when her heart was deeply moved
responding to the warm emotions of love that burned in her
heart, while talking of the love of God and our unworthiness
and ingratitude.

Her light shone most brightly in the home life, where the true
and noble characteristics of womanhood are to be found. She had
been for nearly eleven years the guide, the counsellor, and the
protector of her two sisters, Misses Jennie and Sallie, who
today are bearing with christian fortitude their sad
bereavement, knowing  that God doeth all things well.

It was beautiful to behold the tender care of these faithful
sisters as they, day after day and night after night,
ministered to their sister in her hours of extreme suffering,
doing all in their power to bring comfort and ease to the
wearied one. The kindness of friends was never wanting. They
were faithful to the last. When she could scarcely raise her
voice she expressed thanks for their kindness.

Watching her life as it ebbed slowly away, these words were
forcibly presented to my mind,"though we live in a throng, we
must die alone,"and I breathed a silent prayer that God would
let her passage over the river be without a struggle or groan,
and it was thus she passed into the realms beyond, having upon
her brow an expression free from pain, care or sorrow.

To the sisters who were not permitted to minister to Miss
Lizzie in her afflictions, I will say you were not forgotten
and in your sorrow you can rejoice in the assurance that she
was calmly resigned to the will of God, saying, "I am perfectly
resigned to live or die, all that I would wish to live for,
would be to benefit others. I do not cling to life, as some
think I do. All I dread is that I will have to suffer so long."
The greatest tribute we can offer is to remember with kindness
those whom she so tenderly loved, and imitate all that was
lovely in her character. May her sufferings and death be
sanctified to the good of all, especially to those who are
deeply bereaved,

    Peacefully we laid her body to rest
    And sadly returned to our homes,
    Thinking though, mostly of the soul's sweet rest
    And the glory that is yet to come.

Mrs. A. L. Hamby,
Oak Ridge, Ga.
May 27th, 1895

Published in the Vindicator, May 31, 1895