OBIT: Yeates/Hedden, 1913 - Anderson Co.

This Kentucky Lady was my great-grandmother. Although  I was not
priveledged to have sat at her side and reaped the benefit of her wisdom, I
have read this obituary several dozen times and imagined I was there beside
her.  The author of this tribute is unknown, but is suspected to be the
Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Rich Hill, Missouri.   I hope you enjoy it
as much as I have over all these years.
Larry Hedden

The Rich Hill Mining Review, Sept. 12, 1913

Mary Elizabeth Yeates was born in Anderson Co., Kentucky, May 3, 1847, and
died in Bates Co., Mo., Sept. 11, 1913, aged 66 years, 4 months and 8 days.
Her parents were Enoch Yeates and Matilda Watts, Anderson County, Kentucky,
who in 1866 moved to Vernon Co., Mo., and remained there until their
deaths. She was the youngest of three children. The other two were Richard,
who died in 1859, and William H., who survives in a highly honored old age,
and lives in Vernon Co., Mo., on his father's old homestead.
On October 5, 1865, she was married to Mr. William C. Hedden, in Anderson
County, Kentucky, who survives her and with whom she removed to Vernon Co.,
Mo., along with her parents. Seven children were born of this union; five
boys and two girls. One of the daughters died in infancy, in l881. The
other daughter, Susan Matilda, died in l887 at the age of twelve years. All
of the sons survive and all were present at her death. Their names and
locations are as follows: William Edward, Moscow, Idaho; James W., Sedalia,
Mo.; Enoch L, residing near the parental homestead; Arthur, Ranchester,
Wyoming, and Charles, Sheridan, Wyoming. She is also survived by fourteen
grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mr. And Mrs. Hedden established their homestead, now known as "Mapleview",
in 1871. Their home, beautifully located, portrayed the good tastes of
herself and husband in its excellence of adornment and convenience of
appointments; but the chief beauty of the home lay in the open-hearted
hospitality for which it was known far and wide. To kindly minister to
those who came within their home was one of the chief charms of their
character. She, together with her husband, united with Bethel (Baptist)
church in 1881, and ever remained loyal to her church and her God. She was
a woman of deep convictions and always took a firm stand for the right, as
she saw it, but had great charity for the weak and erring. How we shall
miss her wise counsel in our church body! For her deliberations were always
of a nature which precluded haste and combined both justice and mercy.
Her last sickness extended over several months and her suffering was great;
but so completely did she keep self in the background that up to within a
few months of her death, very few, except her most intimate friends knew
what she was undergoing. Toward the last, when she was confined to her bed
and her suffering was almost more than she could bear she yet strove to be
uncomplaining and spoke lovingly and tenderly of the dissolution which she
knew was near. During the long days and weeks loving relatives and friends
watched over her and ministered to her so far as weak human hands were
able, till the morning of Sept. 11, 1913, when their ministrations ended.

"For when the morn came dim and sad
And chill with early showers
Her quiet eyelids closed; she had
Another morn than ours."

Her body was followed to its last resting place in Fairview Cemetery by a
large concourse of sorrowing neighbors and was laid beside her dear ones
that had gone before, there to await the final resurrection.
To the sons who are left here without her, there will be a great void; for
although all are out in the world, there was always the safe refuge of home
and mother when the storms of life came thick and hard. But mother has
slipped away and left only a tender memory. Yet she left you a rich
heritage of Godly advice which will be with you until you meet her again.
Remember the One in Whom she trusted, and know that "Like as a father
pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him."
To the dear young girl in the home to whom she has been a second mother,
and on whom the loss will fall so heavily, let us say that the blessings
that will come to you through life, as a result of having spent your tender
years under the guidance of this wise and pious woman, are untold. God is
the orphan's father, and she taught you early to trust in Him.
To the faithful companion who is left to tread life's pathway alone and for
whom she daily and hourly prayed that he might have strength to pass
through this great trial, we can only say; she has gone on before where in
a short time we shall all follow. She always yearned for a daughter's
companionship. She has it now just beyond the vale. Her wise counsels have
ceased, but their memory will ever be with you while you are walking in
this valley of the shadow of death. You are trusting in Jesus and "He is
able to keep that you have committed to Him against that day." Your meeting
again is sure. Be not disheartened in your bereavement, but be assured that
we love you and that your goings to and fro among us will bring added
sweetness to our lives.
To our church we will say that when the gates of Heaven opened to receive
our sainted sister a benediction seemed to steal out and fall upon us all.
As we stood by her deathbed we could almost hear the rustle of the angel's
wings. Truly "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
ONE WHO LOVED HER.


From: Larry and Barbara Hedden 
<lwhbgh@ctaz.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998