Gentry county Missouri, Obituaries: Mary Etta Shaw Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by: Don Raymond The Stanberry Owl-Headlight, Gentry County, Missouri, Tuesday, January 24, 1911: Mary Etta Reed was born in Clark county, IL., Oct. 1, 1849, and departed this life Jan. 19, 1911, being 61 years, 3 months and 18 days old. She was married to F. M. Shaw March 4, 1867, at Terre Haute, Ind. To this union 6 children were born, 5 of whom survive, viz: Wm. F. and Chas. B., of Eskridge, Kans.; J. L. N., of Warsaw, Mo.; W. W. of Platte City, Mo.; Mrs. Jessie Butler, of this city. Mrs. Shaw came with her husband to this state and county 35 years ago and they have resided near Stanberry all this time. She united with the United Brethren church about 1877. After they moved to Stanberry she united with the Methodist Episcopal church December, 1894, and has remained a faithful worker in the church until her death. She seldom missed a service and was a faithful member of the Working Band - an organization of this church distinguished for its faithful and efficient service to the cause of Christianity in the community. Her death will make a vacancy in this body that cannot be filled. She was never strong, but always hopeful. Some two weeks before her death she requested her daughter to write t the boys, as she loved to call her children, though they are men now, and say to them, that she was sick, there was little hope of her ever being better and that she would like to see them once before she died. Thus early she realized that the end was near, but never by word, thought or deed did she show any fear. Her faith was triumphant. To her friends she said repeatedly, "If I do not get well I am sure to plant my feet on higher ground." To me she said, "I am not afraid to die and I am going as straight to heaven as one can go." Her concern was for her unsaved friends, always enquiring if certain ones in whom she was in interested were at church the evening before my visits and especially her own boys, her constant prayer was for them. Boys, if you ever see your mother again you will see her in heaven and if you do not heed her prayers you will never see her. God help you. She leaves a devoted husband, five children, a number of grandchildren and a host of friends to wait awhile for the meeting over there. The funeral service was conducted by her pastor from the New Methodist church Sunday, Jan 23rd. Interment in High Ridge cemetery.