1884 Obituary of William Allen Smith of Union Parish Louisiana

Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, 6/2006


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Material from the personal collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick
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Background Information:
William Allen Smith (12 June 1866 – 16 Mar 1884) was the son 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). Willie lost his mother in November 1879 
and father in December 1880, when he was a mere boy of thirteen and fourteen. His 
older brother James Monroe Smith was the Union Parish Clerk of Court
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1884 Obituary of William Allen Smith of Union Parish Louisiana

clipping from the Farmerville "Gazette", exact issue date unknown
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In Memoriam

   It is with deepest regret and sorrow that I learn of the death of my much loved friend 
and schoolmate Willie A. Smith

   Willie was kind, generous, loving in his disposition and much devoted to his family.

   Although a regular attendant of the house of God and a zealous member of the 
Sabbath School, he had made no nearer approach to holy life than mortality and human 
honor could afford. Yet, when we think of his life as always being characterized by 
worthy efforts, we are happy in the thought that he is at rest. Oh! How hard it is to see 
him, who was the very pride and hope of a brother, sister, relatives and friends; who 
was the possessor of a so admirable a character and such rare intellectual powers, with 
such promising hopes for the future, and in every respect so eminently qualified for a 
useful life, thus arrested by the hand of death and with an iron grasp snatched from our 
midst, while in the very morning of life.

   Bereaved family, I know ‘tis hard for you to give him up; but remember that this is one 
of the ways of an all-wise God, and by him no errors are ever committed, and that he 
doeth all things for the best. Submit yourselves therefore to his will: console and comfort 
yourselves with the blessed thought that he is not dead; but has only passed over the 
river, there to watch and wait for you,- for me. Oh! What a happy consoling thought.

Brother, sister, friends- weep for him;
  In the morning of life, he took his flight
To realms where winter does not blight,
  And there to dwell among joy and love