Isle of Wight County-Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Eley, Stephen A., 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Stephen A. Eley [Special to the Times-Dispatch.] Suffolk, Va, March 30 - Stephen A. Eley, formerly of Isle of Wight county, but who had for several years resided in Berkley, died yesterday in that town, aged about seventy-five years. The funeral will occur at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning from Antioch Church, in Isle of Wight, of which he was a deacon, and the leader of whose choir he was for upwards of thirty years. ****************************************************************************** STEPHEN A. ELEY. Stephen A. Eley, formerly of Isle of Wight county, but who had for several years lived in Berkley, died Sunday in that town. ****************************************************************************** Deaths Stephen A. Eley Mr. Stephen A. Eley, formerly of Isle of Wight County, but who had for several years resided in Berkley, died Sunday in that town, aged about seventy-five years. ****************************************************************************** Eley At his home in Berkley, 8th, Ward, Norfolk, Va. March 29th, 1908, our much- beloved friend, brother and father in Israel, Stephen A Eley, departed this life for that sweet life beyond the river, where sickness, sorrow, pain, and death are forever unknown. Uncle Stephen, as the most of us called him went through the Civil war and fought many a hard battle and gained many glorious victories, but the greatest victory was won on the 5th, Sunday March 29th at 1:45 pm when he over came the last enemy and gained heaven with all its blessed associations. Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter though into the joy of they Lord. He made profession of religion at Antioch, and united with the Christian church at the age of 19 years, was elected Deacon of the church soon after and begun the work of his Master in earnest for the betterment of humanity and the salvation of souls. He was faithful in the old church, in all the church work. He lead the singing there for years. Taught public school and also vocal music for years. He was truly a good man, greatly beloved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by us all. He moved to Berkley, Va, about 15 years ago and at one began to work for the Master there. He was the leader of the choir, the friend and the father of the preacher. I heard one young preacher say at his funeral service that on one occasion when he was much oppressed spiritualy, while he was his pastor, that Uncle Stephen came into his study and said to him, "I love you as I love my own boys." This young preacher had, according to God's word found a Father, "I will give you Father, Mother etc." He leaves to mourn their loss a devoted wife, 4 children, 2 sons, 2 daughters, S.L. and J.L. Eley of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. J.H. Johnson, of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. W.C. Varner of Ivor, Va., one devoted sister, Mrs. Virginia Watkins, mother of M.M. Watkins, Deputy clerk of Nansemond Co., Va., and a host of friends. His funeral service was conducted by the writer assisted by his pastor, Rev. M.L. Bryant, Rev. J.O. Cox and Rev. R.H. Peel, at Antioch Christian church and his remains were laid to rest in the old church cemetery. The Lord bless and comfort the dear bereaved ones. H.H.B. ****************************************************************************** Eley At a called meeting of the Deacons and officers of Main St. Christian church, held March 29, 1908, the undersigned were appointed a committee to draft suitable memorial account of the death of our Senior Deacon, Bro. Stephen A. Eley, who passed into rest on March 29, 1908. Pursusant therefore to these directions and with loving respect to our departed brother, we offer this only a slight token of the regard and esteem in which he was held by all who knew him. Blessed with four years beyond the allotted three score and ten, vigorous until a few months before the end; loyal and true to the cause he so dearly loved; loved by all who knew him. With patience bearing up under afflictions, his only complaint being that he might be able to do more for his Master. He loved to sing the songs of Zion and a more faithful chorister could not be found. We shall miss him but our loss is his eternal gain. To his sorrowing friends and loved ones, and to his devoted companion we extend our heartfelt sympathy and commend them to our Father, who he loved. J.O. Wiggs Geo. H. Frey W.H.L. Garlett Committee Stephen A. ELEY, teacher, Confederate veteran, b. May 1834, Isle of Wight Co., d. 29 Mar 1908, Berkley, Norfolk Co., interred in Antioch Christian Church Cemetery*, near Windsor, 31 Mar 1908, "The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA), Tues., Mar. 31, 1908, p. 3, donated from Carol Stevens (www.newspapers.com); "The News Leader" (Richmond, VA), No. 5112, Tues., Mar. 31, 1908, p. 9; "Clinch Valley News" (Tazewell, VA), Fri., Apr 10, 1908, p. 2, shared by Carol Stevens, 2 Jan 2018 (www.newspapers.com); "The Christian Sun" (NC), Vol. 60, No. 17, Wed., Apr. 22, 1908, p. 14, (www.archive.org); "The Christian Sun" (NC), Vol. 60, No. 18, Wed., Apr. 29, 1908, p. 14, (www.archive.org) *Additional information: Antioch list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/cemeteries/antioch.txt Unmarked? Not on: Isle of Wight County Historical Society {IWCHS} Grave Site Survey Task Force {GSSTF} #20: http://www.iwchs.com/Cemetery-Reports.html No Find a Grave Memorial He was 3rd, then 2nd Lt. in Co. D, 16th VA Inf. He was captured at Crampton's Gap, MD, 14 Sep 1862. Found guilty of misbehavior, he was cashiered 29 Sep 1863. His brother Solomon B. ELEY was Captain of Co. D, 16th VA Inf., and was paroled at Appomattox C.H. He 1m. Mary L. HALL, daughter of Thomas & Nancy (JENKINS) HALL {1wf}, m. 18 Jan 1855, in Isle of Wight Co. (IoW.Co. M.Reg. 1855 p. 94 #6) She d. 20 Aug 1857, in Isle of Wight Co. of Measles, age 20. (IoW.Co. D.Reg. 1857 p. 99 #41) He 2m. Ann H. EDWARDS (b. ca. 1841, IoW.Co.), daughter of Davis & Sarah EDWARDS {2wf}, 1 May 1859, in Isle of Wight Co. (IoW.Co. M.Reg. 1859 p. 90 #17) Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Anne Marie Piland, and re-formatted by File Manager Matt Harris. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/obits/e400s3ob.txt