Life's evening has gone down again never to rise in this
life. But what a beautiful and precious thought, according to
God'' Holy Word, the Sun has risen in heaven to never go down
and there will be no sickness, pain or death. No separations,
and no distress. But all will be joy, peace and sunshine, throughout
the endless ages of eternity.
Sarah J. Fowler Lockaby was born August 15, 1849, in Tennessee,
died November 29, 1939, age 90 years, three months and 14 days.
When she was a small baby her parents, Joe and Penelope Fowler
came to Illinois, crossing the Ohio River at Golconda March 17,
1850 and from that time she has lived in pope County. She was
married to James Lockaby, December 8, 1875 and moved the following
day to her present home site, and lived there until her life's
work was done.
There were six sons born to this union, three preceding her in
death, namely, Hallis, Waldo, and J. festus Lockaby.
Her devoted companion passed away February 25, 1917, leaving her
lonely and with many burdens that only her Saviour was able to
help her bear.
The children that remain are Tillie, of Eddyville; Oscar, of Essex,
Mo., and Dr. Finley, of Charleston, Mo.; eight grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren also survive her.
When she took the duties of companion of "Uncle" Jim
she also assumed the responsibility of mothering four step-children,
Christa Anne, Martin, Charley and Emma, who have all passed on.
"Aunt" Sallie loved them all, and was never too tired
or weary to minister to their needs.
She was united with the Presbyterian church at Boulden in 1864
and remained a member until death.
But this is the least we can say about her. We rather speak of
beautiful, noble and useful life she lived, of which everyone
was aware. Seemingly she had burdens that the average person would
of gone down under, but she bore them all with patience never
complaining. She said if it were God's will she would be willing
to live her life all over, just as it had been. Surely she was
obedient to the Heavenly vision. She always looked to a higher
life, both worldly and spiritual. Just last Friday she said, "If
you want to be respected, treat everybody right."
She has two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Oscar Lockaby and Mrs. festus
Lockaby, who will surely miss her motherly love and tenderness,
and especially Sister Inez to whom she has been a special comfort
since the passing of her companion two years ago.
During the 75 years of her Christian life there was something
stored away in this little old fashioned mother that the natural
man could not understand, but it shined forth to lift up humanity
and comfort and encourage everyone. We are glad that the Spirit
of God reveals to every one that want to know, just what she possessed
that was so precious.
___copied from Herald - Enterprise, Dec. 7, 1939.