Obituary for Nancy Marsh East (1843-1914)
Uncited clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection" of Doris Martin Jablonski, 1998.

Nancy MARSH was born in Lincoln county, March 24, 1843. She died at her home in Troy, January 15, 1914 of a complication of diseases, making her the ripe old age of 70 years, 9 months and 11 days, all of which were spend in Lincoln county, near Troy, except a few years of her first married life she spent at Hannibal. She was married to John W. EAST May 28, 1863, and became the happy mother of nine children, six of whom survive her, three preceding her to the other shore; two of whom died in infancy, Allie and Charlie; the third Mrs. Charlie HUMBER, her second daughter, died July 27, 1911, at the age of 37.

This dear old lady joined the church at Slavens Chapel under the ministry of Reverend Brother SHERMAN, quite a number of years ago. Those who knew her intimately during the years since she gave her heart to Christ and said she would follow his way, all testify to her consistent good life.

She moved her membership to the Methodist church in Troy in 1902. She served faithfully in the church as long as her health would permit but the last few years her health failed her, making her almost a cripple. Her suffering was great but she never forgot her Savior and would say "He knows best and would do all things well." She bore up courage until the last.

She often spoke of how precious the Savior was to her own heart and would express desire that she might so have lived as to influence her entire household to follow him. She would often say to the family when they would be downhearted, "Don’t look on the dark side my dear, brace up now and trust all to our dear Savior."

Her motto was "Put your whole trust in Jesus, he can save and he alone." She was an idolizing mother. She never could do enough for her children. When she could hardly go she would try to do something to make them happy.

The deceased was a daughter of Dulsenia and Tillman MARSH. She leaves three brothers and one sister to mourn the loss of a sister. Will MARSH of Moscow, Joe of Hannibal, Jim of Hawk Point and Mrs. Delia MARSH of Troy.

Besides her husband she leaves six grown children to mourn the loss of a dear old mother. Mrs. Lon NELSON of Desoto, Mo., Thomas Oscar of St. Louis, Joel T. Of near Kansas City; Will of Hawk Point; Brook and Mrs. Laura NEWELL of St. Charles. The latter was with her mother the last three months of her life and did all she could for her mothers comfort. There are twenty eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, who will miss her sweet old smile and loving words.

It was sad indeed for this old gray haired husband to stand by the cold form of his dear wife, who had trod life’s rugged old road with him for more than fifty years.

Then her children all grown must come to take the last sweet look and say goodbye to their dear mother. Four of the children were present to see her laid to rest.

But weep not, dear ones. She is not dead, only sleeping. It is not as if there were no hope. What is your loss is her eternal gain. Always keep the thought with you by living a true and nobel life. You will someday cross the valley of death and meet her on the golden shore where parting comes no more.

The funeral service was conducted by her late pastor of the church of which she was a member, January 27th. He spoke briefly from the word "We are willing to be absent from the body to be at home with the Lord." At the conclusion of the service the body was laid to rest in the Troy cemetery to await the blessed resurrection day, among a large crowd of sorrowing friends who came to show their last respect.

Believing that she loved the Lord, we also believe she is now at home with the Lord and by God’s grace loved ones hope to meet her in the beautiful land above.

A FRIEND    

Note regarding clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection":   Mattie Davis Martin (1875-1943) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO.   She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents.  The majority of the clippings were without citation, and kept stored in an old purse. Doris Martin Jablonski, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion on our Lincoln County Heritage/Records Page.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Doris Martin Jablonski, 24 October 1998.

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