Lewis Simmons
was born in Johnson County, Illinois Jan’y 4th, 1844. Died
Jan’y 5th, 1915, age 71 years , 1 day. At the age of 20 he
was married to Miss Katherine Simmons, June 30th, 1864. To this
union were born six children------one son and five daughters:
W.C. Simmons, Mrs. T.B. Kerley, of Simpson, Mrs. G.W. McKee, Mrs.
Ivory Morris, all married and living in Flatwoods, near the home
place, and Flora, who by misfortune has been blind for most all
her life, single and at home; also Flaura, who died in infancy.
There were also 14 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren-all
living except Flaura. Besides his family he partly raised Fred
Murphy, of Ark., who became almost one of the children, apparently,
also Miss Emma Boswell, whom he learned to love and at his death
showed his love by his talks. Emma has been to him as a child
to a father—over willing and ready to do anything for him
that pleased him. The writer has often heard him speak of her
as being an honest, upright and useful lady. The deceased professed
faith in Christ at the age of 21 years and so united with County
Line Baptist Church, October 1864, where he lived a devoted and
consistent member until death. He was ordained as deacon of said
church June 1871, where he was found doing all he could for the
unsaved, living the life of a true Christian and church worker.
Uncle Lewis was sick but a few days and
there was something remarkable about his sickness and death, as
he said before he was bed-fast, his time here was short and maintained
he was going to die up to the end, and being conscious gave to
his children his wishes what to be done after his death. The wife
has lost a loving husband, his children a kind father, the church
a devoted member and the community a good and useful man, who
realized all this and tried to live as such. He was a trustee
of the cemetery in which he was buried.
Funeral services were conducted by Eld. J.R. Tucker, of Carbondale,
Ill., (pastor of his church) at the home in the presence of a
large crowd of relatives and friends, despite the rain, and his
remains were laid to rest in the Kerley Cemetery, Jan’y 6,
where he sleeps unmolested until the morning of the resurrection
when he will be known and crowned by the Blessed Savior.
Besides the wife and children, he leaves
to mourn their loss, one brother, J.A. Simmons and one sister
Ma(torn) McIntosh, of Sikeston, Mo., and (torn) of relatives and
friends.
RESOLUTIONS
Whereas, it has pleased the good Father in Heaven to call from
our midst, our beloved Brother and Deacon Lewis Simmons of County
Line Baptist Church;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the church has lost one of its
main pillars, the widow a kind husband, the children a loving
father, and the community a noble citizen.
Resolved, that this church extend its sincere sympathy to the
bereaved family and immediate relatives.
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to our county
paper for publication; also a copy be furnished to the bereaved
widow.
Resolved, That a copy of same be placed upon our church record.
Arthur Simmons,
Bose Grant,
Chas. Shelton,
Committee