Mary J. Ragain, wife of A.H. Ragain, was born Feb’y
5th, 1854; departed this life March 9th, 1918-age 64 years, 1
month and 4 days.
Her maiden name was Simmons, and she was better known as Mollie.
She professed faith in Christ in August when she was 19 years
old and was baptized by Eld. W. H. Simmons, Sept. 1873, into the
Missionary Baptist Church at County Line, Johnson County, Ill.,
and lived a faithful member of the Baptist church until she obeyed
the summons to come higher.
Mollie was married first to A. J. Morris, Feb’y 14th 1875.
To this union eight children were born, of whom five departed
this life while young and gone on before, leaving three still
living_ Inda Scott, Ida Keeton, and Granvil Morris, all married
and living near this neighborhood. Her husband, Mr. Morris, also
was a member of same church and served as church clerk quite a
while. They lived together about 22 years _he passing away in
June, 1897, leaving wife and three children. Mollie was married
a second time to John Vaughn, of Vienna, May 9th, 1901; also again
married Benjamin Woodworth, of Ozark, Aug. 24th 1903; lastly married
to Abraham Ragain, of Flatwoods, April 30, 1916, who survives
her, and was an old member of above church and clerk at the time
she joined it. She was taken sick at home and on account of no
nurse or cook was moved to her daughter’s, Mrs. Scott’s,
where she died; was confined to her bed about ten weeks with lung
trouble, then left the walks of this world to join the Heavenly
angels above. Her illness was long and her suffering was great.
Her husband and children did all that could be done to relieve
and comfort her, but as God giveth and taketh away, He called
her home. She was a good mother, trying to live a straight an
honorable life in this world. Her friendly turn and kindly disposition
will long remain among her relatives and friends; but as she is
gone to her resting place, her vacancy here will be hard to fill.
She leaves husband, three children, one grandchild, and two sisters
and one brother__ Lucinda Morris, Minerva Dixon and Oliver Simmons,
who were all present during her sickness and death. On Sunday
the funeral was conducted by Eld. Geo. Parmley, of Pope County
and James Whitesides, the undertaker of Simpson, at church house
at the hour of 11 o’clock, in the presence of a crowded house,
after which the body was laid in the Kerley cemetery beside her
former husband to await the morning call of the great resurrection.
She leaves to mourn her departure besides the family, many relatives
and a host of friends. The main songs were: "Nearer My God
To Thee," and " I Will Meet My Precious Mother."
We realize our loss is her gain. The bereaved husband and children
wish to thank the neighbors and friends for their kindness and
attention shown during the sickness and at the death of their
dear wife and mother. ____W. C. Simmons