Mary Lucinda (BISHOP) SMITH

Obituary

The Chicago Times Newspaper, Vol.V, no.34, Chicago, Ohio Friday, January 27, 1888,p.1
(NOTE:Chicago, Ohio now called Willard, Ohio.)

Again has an impressive warning come to teach us that in the midst of live, we are in death. Mary Lucinda Smith departed this life at the residence of her mother, with whom she recently made her home, on Monday morning, January 16, 1888 at half past ten o'clock, aged 50 years, 10 months and 7 days.

Mary Lucinda Bishop was born in Huron County, Ohio, March 9th, 1837, and remained with her parents, in that place until forty-five years of age. At the age of 45, she was united in marriage to Philander W. Smith, a prominent and wealthy citizen of San-Luis Obispo, California, to whom she was devoted with an ardor that many waters could not quench. In April 1882, in company with her husband, she left the parental roof to enjoy the happiness of her future home in California. They remained there but a period of six months and returned again to Ohio. After remaining in Ohio some six months, in the meantime making complete arrangements of matters of importance to them, they again took leave of friends and home and returned to California, where they expected to enjoy the blessedness of marriage: the fruits of their joint labor, and where they should lead each other, hand in hand down the western slope of life's steep hill to rest together at its foot in a long repose. But soon after their arrival there, Mrs. Smith health became broken. She was attacked with rheumatism of the particular type known as "stiff jointed." The best medical aid to be obtained was summoned to treat her but to no avail. "It had come to stay."

Fully realizing her condition, Mr. Smith decided to bring her to Ohio, where she would be nearer her friends, and sincerely hoped the change would be beneficial to her.

Accordingly in the Spring of 1887, they arrived in Ohio. Since their arrival here the efforts of physicians who have made this disease a specialty have signally failed. The fatal stroke came last Monday and she was called away--not to darkness--but to serener light and angelic ministry, where the stars are brighter than day and where the mortality assumes immortality, and where life becomes an endless splendor....an affectionate wife and society a valuable member.

She died with a blessed hope of heaven and by her death gave evidence of a well finished life. She died only to live again. She is only waiting for that call which is to summon the sea and earth to give up their dead, when she will join the "white-robed throng" around God's celestial throne and enjoy the music which gladdened hearts of the stately sons and dark-eyed daughters of Israel.

Appropriate funeral services were held in the Universalist church in Havana, Ohio. Rev. C.P. Nash delivered one of his eloquent sermons, taking for his text, "To die is gain." The remains were interred in Norwich cemetary. The bereaved husband and friends have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. But may they have consolation in Him who said, " I am the resurrection." and wait patiently for the "dawning of the morning" when they shall wake to weep no more. G. AND G.