Barry County Missouri - Mary Elizabeth Mollie (BELL) FOUNTAIN ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: © Betty Erickson ==================================================================== Obituary Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" (BELL) FOUNTAIN April 18, 1869 - May 9, 1938 Submitted by Grandaughter Betty Erickson FOUNTAIN By: Ray L. Kimbrough (copied from a yellowed newspaper clipping) We give below the interesting account of Sister Mollie E. Fountain, as written by her own hand about two years before her departure to the realms above. Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" (BELL) FOUNTAIN, daughter of Elder George T. Bell and Amanda F. (Wortham) Bell, was born April 18, 1869 at Cincinnati, Wash, Ark. and passed away May 9, 1938 at her home in Washburn, Mo., at the age of 69 years and 21 days. Mollie married Robert Matthew Fountain, Sept. 20, 1894 at Cassville, Mo. To this union were born: Ilus A. Fountain, Clairce (Fountain) Dudley, Corlus A. Fountain, and Robert Paul Fountain, the latter having died in infancy. "I (Sister Fountain) was happily converted at the age of 14 years and walked in the light as it shone on my pathway. (Ps119:105) My dear old father being a pioneer minister, I had a wonderful experience along life's pilgrim way, being strictly taught from childhood." When a child I used to go far into the jungles of Oklahoma with my dear father and hear him preach. At times he had to have an interpreter.. Oh, what blessed days! What wonderful training! It meant a life of self-denial. We had to take the lone way in a lumber wagon through trails blazed out only in places, through muddy swamps, seeing nothing but an Indian hut for miles." "When we came to our stopping place, it was with good Indians, living in a small hut. Oh how we loved those dear people, and how God blessed us. We shared all things in common, and were all of one accord. The place of worship was a little hut, the only light candles or pine torches." Then on we would go, through the mountains, singing. At times it looked impossible for the horses to climb the mountains.__All would get out of the wagon and walk, and someone had to be chock the wheels. Even father would walk and drive the team." "We learned we could do many little things to for our Heavenly Father. We could chock in the meetings for father when the way was steep and the load heavy. They never had a choir, and just one hymnbook. Father led the singing. By learning the songs he had taught us, we children and mother were some help in the singing." "This is a little sketch of my experience from childhood, written the 28th day of March 1936." Sister Fountain requested that Brother Bennett and the writer conduct her funeral service, and in the providence of God this request was carried out. May her prayers be answered in behalf of her children and loved ones, that the family circle may be unbroken in Heaven. A special note from Mary's Grandaughter Betty: It is difficult to picture Grandma "chocking" the wheels of a farm wagon in the rough terrain of the Ozarks. Mollie was 4"11" and never weighed over a hundred pounds. My mother said she marveled at the strength of that tiny woman. She would catch the geese to pluck the down from their breast. Mom said Grandma would hold their legs between her legs, and the wings under her left arm, and their beak in her left hand while she plucked the soft down for pillows, comforters, and coats for her children. As soon as she finished with one, she would grab another. Return to Online Data Index Return to Barry County © 1999 Susan Tortorelli All Rights Reserved