Beckham County, OK - Obits: Fanie Melvina Baber, 1919
02 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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BABER, FANNIE MELVINA
(6 Mar 1919, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Mrs. H. C. Baber.
The community was grieved Sunday, March 2nd, when the death angel called
to the Great Beyond, Mrs. Fannie Melvina Baber, wife of Harry C. Baber,
about an hour after the birth and death of the little babe.
Funeral services were held at the First Christian church on Tuesday
afternoon, where despite the very inclement weather, a large crowd
gathered to pay the last tribute of respect to this dear friend and
neighbor.
The choir sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere."  Her pastor, Rev. L. Meek
read for scripture lesson the 5th chapter of 2nd Corinthians.  Rev. Coffey
led a very earnest prayer.  Mrs. R. L. Reid sweetly sang, "Jesus is the
Light," after which Rev. Meek made an address, taking as his text 1
Chronicles 29-15.  "For we are strangers before thee and sojourners as
were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is
none abiding."  He gave many comforting words and told how he had become
acquainted with the family when he first came here nearly three years ago,
and how they were loved by him.  As their pastor he became more acquainted
and knew the true christian lives of the home and had ever found the
deceased faithful.  His deep grief was manifest to all as he paid a
beautiful tribute to Mrs. Baber and he closed his remarks by saying that
only God's promises and God's grace alone could help at such times.
As the choir sang, "Shall We Meet Beyond the River," friends passed by the
casket which was covered with beautiful flowers to look for the last time
at the loved one.  The little babe lay nestling in the arms of the mother.
 Men and women were in tears, which was a silent testimony of their love
for her and the sympathy which words could not express for the bereaved
ones.
The body was laid to rest in the beautiful Fairlawn cemetery.
Fannie Melvina Baber, daughter of the late T. J. Baldwin, was born in Ray
county, Missouri, February 18th, 1876.  She was married to H. C. Baber
December 30th 1896.  They came to Oklahoma in 1897, taking up a homestead
near Foss.  About 1906 they moved a few miles north of Elk City, and last
spring moved to a large ranch near Moorewood, Okla.  Mrs. Baber was
staying in Elk City most of the time this winter, to give her children the
advantages of our school.
She converted in 1896 and at the time of her death was a member of the
Christian Union Church.  She was always connected with the various
activities of church work, and was one who was always planning pleasant
surprises for her pastor and friends in arranging to celebrate birthday
anniversaries.
Mrs. Baber was a woman ever cheerful, but quiet, unassuming, faithful and
unselfish in all her ways.  She was industrious, frugal and home-loving. 
Whether caring for the home, visiting the sick, receiving the stranger or
calling upon a neighbor, her thoughts were ever for the comfort of those
about her.
She knew Oklahoma in the early day and quietly bore her share of the
hardship and toil incident to those days.  She will be missed greatly, for
she was a faithful wife, a loving mother, a kindly neighbor and a devoted
member of the church.
Before going into that dreamless sleep she requested to see the children,
bidding each goodbye.
The husband and five children are left to mourn the passing away of a
devoted wife and mother, Irene, the eldest child being fourteen years of
age; Earl, twelve; Buford, ten; Harry C., Jr., five and Mary Helen, two
years old.
She also leaves a brother, Walter Baldwin, who lives at Weatherford; half
brothers and sister, Paul and Melvin Baldwin and Miss Grace Baldwin, and
her beloved step-mother, Mrs. Emma Baldwin.
Attended Mrs. Baber's Funeral.
Those in attendance from a distance were Mrs. J. W. Fitch, Mrs. H. G.
Barber (sic) and Miss Lora Baber of Richmond, Mo., Miss Grace Baldwin of
Christian Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Baber,
Bartlesville, Okla., Walter Baldwin and family of Weatherford, Mr. and
Mrs. Riggs of Hydro, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Baldwin of Hammon, Mrs. Thomas,
Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Heston of Moorewood, and Mr. Findley of Ray County,
Mo.
(6 Mar 1919, Thursday, Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
DIED. The sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. H. C. Baber was a serious
shock to her husband and five children late yesterday.
Mrs. Baber gave birth to a child yesterday, which also died.
Mrs. Fannie Baber leaves many dear friends and two brothers, Paul and
Walter Baldwin, who are well and favorably known here, and the five
children, Irene, Buford, H. C., Jr., Mary Helen and Early.
(13 Mar 1919, Thursday, Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
H. C. Baber and his two sons moved to his farm near Hammon and the other
three children went to live with an aunt.