Obituary of Martha Oliver SOWELL, Williamson & Franklin County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Susan Merrell ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Obituary clipping found among my grandmother and great grandmothers belongings. Obit of Martha Oliver Sowell Undated, but probably just shortly after her death on 12 Feb 1923. Clipping is old and fragile. Newspaper unknown but probably the local Johnston City Progress. Martha Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Oliver, was born on the 11th day of October 1857 in the state of Arkansas. At 9 years of age she came with her parents to Williamson County, Illinois, here she grew to young womanhood. She was united in marriage with T.J. Sowell on the 27th day of December 1876. This union was blessed with 5 sons namely, Henry Sanford, John Richard, Lloyd Webster, Benny Leo and Luther Holly. Henry passed away of the 20th day of March 1909 and Loyd on the 1st day of October the same year, both were killed in mine accidents, which was a severe trial for their mother, but with Christian grace she was upheld in the great grief of her life. Mrs. Sowell was converted over 45 years ago and untied with the Methodist Church and was a member of the same at the time of her death; she was a charter member of the Johnston City M.E. church and was the only one left, not the last one of that class is gone. She was a woman that loved Christ and her church and there was always a desire in her heart to help make the church prosper, ready to make any sacrifice that was possible to build up the church. She served as president of the Ladies' Aid for a number of years doing what she could to help on the struggling church. She had a good religious experience and was always ready to testify to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was taken ill on Christmas day and on the 4th day of January she took to her bed, all that medical skill and loving hands could do was done, but to no avail, the frail body grew weaker and on Monday, February 12, 1923 at 10 pm, the Chariot of the Lord swung low, she stepped on and was not, for God took her. Her age was 65 years, 4 months and 1 day. She leaves her devoted husband, three sons, J.R., Benny L., and Luther H., five grand children namely Loren, Edward Bert and Reba Sowell, children of Henry and wife, Dorothy, daughter of J.R. and wife, also one brother C.R. Oliver and one sister Mrs. Emily Casey and a host of friends who mourn their loss. "We weep, but not as those who have no home." A good wife, a loving mother, a kind neighbor, a true Christian has gone to rest. The funeral was conducted from the M.E. Church on Wednesday, February 14th at 1:00 pm by her former pastor, Rev. J.C. Kinison, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and the body was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Marion. (**NOTE** Martha Elizabeth Oliver married Thomas J. Sowell. She was the sister of Mary Emily Oliver, who married (1) John Henry Newton and (2) Jesse M. Casey. Martha Elizabeth and Mary Emily were the daughters of Joseph Oliver and Eliza Jane Crouch)