1879 Obituary of Mollie E. Smith Kilgore, native of Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, 4/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= Material from the personal collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Background Information: Mary Elizabeth Smith [Mollie] (27 Feb 1860 – 26 Nov 1879) married George Kilgore, Jr. on 20 February 1879. Mollie was the daughter of Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith (6 Nov 1828 – 23 Dec 1880) and his wife, Elizabeth Amy Manning (4 Nov 1837 – 15 Nov 1879). Mollie and her infant died in childbirth just eleven days after her mother's death. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1879 Obituary of Mollie E. Smith Kilgore, native of Union Parish Louisiana clipping from the Farmerville "Gazette", early 1880 ================================================================================= On the 26th of November, 1879, before the completion of her twentieth year, the gentle spirit of Mrs. Mollie E. Kilgore passed from earth. But a short time previously, she had been called to the residence of her father, Mr. W. C. Smith of Farmerville, to attend the death bed of her beloved mother, and while there ministering with characteristic devotion to her surviving parent in his physical affliction and late bereavement, God’s Reaper transplanted her to the garden where perishing human flowers “put on immortality.” While dwelling on her memory, the familiar lines, “None knew her but to love her, None named her but to praise,” have doubtless occurred to many of her sorrowing friends and relations, for in her were imbedded the most endearing and ennobling traits of human nature. Endowed with rare mental, physical and spiritual gifts, through sedulous culture, she had blossomed, while yet in the flush of life’s springtime, unto the fairest and most perfect type of christian womanhood. From her earliest years she evinced superior qualities of heart and mind. At school she was punctual in attendance, exemplary in conduct, faithful in discharge of every duty, eager in pursuit of knowledge; a pupil in every earnest teacher’s heart. Being ever gentle, courteous and considerate, she was loved and honored by all. The last year of her scholastic life was passed at Wesleyan Female Institute in Staunton, Virginia. There, as at, home, she won the respect and love of both teachers and pupils, and in June, 1878, she graduated with distinction. But it was in the family and social circle that her character was manifest in its loveliest, fairest light. Devoted to an invalid father, she loved to minister to his wants, to soothe his hours of pain, and relieve by every resource at her command, the weariness consequent upon his prolonged affliction. To her mother she was at once a comfort and joy, and for every member of the household she had always a ready sympathy, gentle word, and helping hand. On the 20th of February, 1879, she became the wife of Judge G. A. Kilgore, who regarded her as the crowning blessing of his life. Friends and relations alike rejoiced in their happiness, and heartily wished them both length and prosperity of days. But while in the dawn of life so full of glad realities and promises, her eyes have closed upon the scenes of earth, only, we feel well assured, to open upon yet fairer ones in blessed land beyond. Ever reverent of all holy things, she was early impressed with the beauty, truth and saving grace of the Christian religion. For more than a year before her death she was a pious and consistent member of the Baptist church. Those who knew her best can testify how truly her life was consecrated to good deeds, how none but holy thoughts were shrined in her pure, loving heart. While recalling her many virtues we are impressed with the noble capacities of human nature, and “All our doubts are laid aside When we but remember only Such and one has lived and died.” To her bereaved husband, her doubly afflicted father, her devoted brothers, her little sister, her attached relations and many friends it must be a sweet solace to think that if ever human souls are morning-star, it now gleams in heavenly radiance upon her unsullied brow. Beloved in life she must needs be mourned in death. May all who deplore her loss be sustained and strengthened by the hope of a glad reunion where “Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown.” May they remember she was called hence by One who does all things well. Take the quick fading of a fair, stainless flower she passed away to render back to Him who gave it, all dewy freshness and fragrance of her pure young life. “All as God wills, who wisely heeds Forgive or to withhold, And knoweth more of all our needs, Than all our prayers have told.” Far beyond the troubles of life we believe that her soul is safely anchored in the haven of Eternal Rest. Faith will help us to see her clothed in brightness and crowned with glory, with tender loving smiles luring our troubled, mournful thoughts from earth, and with hands outstretched, beckoning us ever onward and upward to the Celestial City. Belle Washington Washington County, Miss., Feb. 10th 1880. ###########################################################