Obit of Malissa (French) Durham (d650) - Payne County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Jack Durham <4jdurham@cableone.net> 10/04/2002 Return to Payne County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/payne/payne.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Obituary - Stillwater Gazette - January 31, 1913 Mrs. Malissa Durham was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, September 7, 1861 and died at the family home east of Stillwater, Okla., January 22, 1913, after an illness of six weeks, during which time every possible thing that loving hands and hearts could do was done for this devoted wife and mother, whose entire life was so lovingly given for the benefit or her family's success, advancement and pleasure. Mrs. Durham's parents moved from Illinois to Kansas in 1876. She united with the Advent church at the age of 16 years, her father [Jacob French, b. Dec. 12, 1808, near Amity, PA] being a minister of the church, but recently she became a member of the Christian church at Stillwater. She was married to A. J. Durham in 1880, moved to Oklahoma in 1889 - a noble pioneer woman settling on their farm at the opening of this country, no one knowing better than she the trials and hardships of those early days. She bore them patiently and bravely. Her time and strength were willingly shared with all her neighbors and friends in their hours of sickness or trouble. She was a good Christian mother, a helpful neighbor, never too busy to lend a hand to those needing assistance. One of the best traits in her character was the tender heart she so unhesitatingly shared with her family and others. There is scarcely a neighbor but could tell you that she came to them in their hour of trial or grief and watched through long hours ministering to the sick or comforting the sorrowing. The deceased leaves a husband, two sons and four daughters, Samuel Bert in the Philippines, William of Arkansas City, Kansas; Mrs. May Wilde [ Sophronia May Durham] of Terlton; the Misses Pearl [Edna Pearl] and Ferne [Fern Joy], and little Alpha [Sarah Alpha]. Two children have preceded the mother to the better world [Maud (9 days) and Myrtle Durham (6 years - see above photo)]. The family were all with her during her illness, except Samuel B. Durham, the eldest son, who soon after being graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical college went to the Philippines, where he has for number of years held a position as an instructor in the Agricultural school, consequently was unable to be at his mother's bedside. Besides the immediate family, there are brothers and sisters left to mourn her loss, but they mourn not as one without a hope. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. L. C. Ilsley, whose remarks were a tribute to the mother of this home. A quartet sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Asleep in Jesus." E. J. Smith sang very effectively, as a solo, the deceased's favorite hymn, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." The friends in both city and country showed their sympathy and love by their presence and the tokens of the rarest of white carnations, narcissus, pink lillies and choice ferns which completely covered the beautiful casket. The pall-bearers chosen from the daughter's classes in college, carried very tenderly, the flower laden casket to its last resting place. Those in attendance from abroad besides the family were Mrs. Durham's sisters, Mrs. Cora Young, of Tulsa, and Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, of Arkansas City. Somewhere the sun is shining, Somewhere the song-birds dwell; Hush ! Then, thy sad repining, God lives, and all is well. The many friends all over the county and elsewhere extend their deepest sympathy to Mr. Durham and family in this sad hour, and may the guiding hand of this mother lead them to meet her in the better land. [Malissa's Father, Jacob French, b. Dec 12, 1808, near Amity, PA; d. Dec. 14, 1880, Arkansas City, Kansas; married (1st) Sarah Elizabeth LeFevre. Children were Naomi; Jelia Ann; Minor; Asa; Charles Lemuel. married (2nd) Dica McMann, widow of Levi Baker. Children were Elizabeth; Jacob; Malissa Emaline (Durham); William Samuel; Ama and Ida (twins); Cora; Sophronia. Malissa's father was a Baptist preacher, but late in life became an Adventist. In 1849 he traveled overland from Kosciusco County, Indiana, to California, in search of gold.] *********************************************************************** Copyright c 2002 by Jack Durham. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. 4jdurham@cableone.net *********************************************************************** -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Payne County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/payne/payne.html