Mrs. Martha Melvina
Wilson
Obituary
from The Marion County News, May 20, 1897.
Transcribed by Veneta McKinney
WILSON –
Departed this life at 2 o’clock p.m. Saturday,
Mary 15, 1897, after a protracted illness at the
family residence in Hamilton. Marion County,
Ala., Mrs. MARTHA MELVINA WILSON, aged 63 years
3 months and 8 days, consort of S. E. WILSON,
editor of the Marion County
News.
Mrs. WILSON was
born in Attala County, Miss., on February 7,
1834. She was the daughter of Mr. HOSEA and Mrs.
PERLINA CROWDER, both of whom are still living
and reside at Kosciusko, Miss. She was the
eldest of 14 children, all of whom survive her,
except two, one of whom died in infancy, and the
other – a noble brother – died in the service of
his country as a Confederate soldier. She was
married to Mr. S. E. WILSON at the residence of
her parents near Kosciusko, Miss on February 11,
1852. This union was blessed by the birth of 8
children – 5 daughters and 3 sons– all of whom
survive her except the eldest – a daughter –who
died when only 2 years old. She always regarded
her children, even after they were grown, as
still the little ones of long ago, ever needing
her watchful care and motherly attention, which
she always rendered with pleasure. She was ready
to rejoice at the successes and share the
misfortunes of her husband in all the trials and
vicissitudes of life, and was ever ready to
cheer him and, though the clouds would lower at
times and look dark and gloomy, her words “the
Lord will provide” and “God doeth all things
well” would be a bright sunbeam to her home and
those around her.
It was
always a happy thought with the deceased to
think of her many near relatives, knowing that
the character of each stood out in as spotless
beauty as the lily of the valley. Being the
eldest child she not only filled the station of
an affectionate sister, but did all in her power
to lessen the daily task of her mother, causing
the younger children to look upon her as almost
a mother to them. Her life has been one of
charity, being ever ready to do for others even
more than she would have them do for her.
Besides raising her own children, since they
have left her she has almost constantly had some
one or more of her grandchildren around her home
that she might continue to train and shape out
pure and spotless lives as had been her apparent
desire from childhood. It was a pleasant moment
to her when she could take upon herself the
cross of others and relieve them of its weight.
It was always easy for her to say, as she did
with a smile when nearing the end,“I have done
my duty, I am saved.”
Mrs. WILSON was
reared by pious, Christian parents, whose
example and godly walk instilled into the mind
of their first born at a very early age the true
principles of the religion of Christ which she
strictly maintain through life n ad which served
her well in the trying hour of death. She joined
the Baptist Church in September 1854, and lived
a consisted member f the same until the end
came. At the time of her death she was a member
of the First Baptist Church at Memphis, Tenn.
but expected to ask for her letter and join the
church here as soon as the Baptist Church
building was completed.
The
deceased lived a consistent, Christian life and
died the death of the righteous. If she had an
enemy in the world she was not aware of it. She
was at peace with the world, and better than
all, he was at perfect peace with her God. She
was conscious to the last, and bid her husband,
her children who were with her, and the friends
who surrounded her bedside an affectionate
farewell, told them she was going home to glory
and bade them all to meet her in heaven. Thus
passed away one of the precious mothers in
Israel. May all meet her “Up
There.”
PAPA –
Hamilton, May
18
