Mollie Culp Grimes (1863-1887) Obituary


Published in the Alliance Daily Review
Wednesday, March 30, 1887

 


The Last Rites.

One of Earth’s Noble Women Borne to her Last Resting Place.

The funeral services of Mrs. Mollie Grimes were held at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Culp, at 3 o’clock Saturday, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. M. Zielie, assisted by Revs. J. B. Miller, B. M. Price and D. M. Iams.  The choir of the Disciple church, of which Mrs. Grimes was a member, rendered good and soul stirring music, one of the selections being the last song she sang with the choir at the Sunday morning service – her last song on earth.  It was sung at the request of her husband, and affected many to tears.

My God, my Strength, my Hope,
On thee I cast my care;
With humble confidence look up,
And know thou hear’st my prayer.
Give me on thee to wait,
Till I can all things do –
On thee, almighty to create,
Almighty to renew.

I want a godly fear,
A quick-discerning eye,
That looks to thee when sin is near,
And bids the tempter fly;
A spirit still prepared,
And armed with jealous care,
Forever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.

I rest upon they word;
The promise is for me;
My succor and salvation, Lord,
Shall surely come from thee.

But let me st__ strife,
Nor from my hope remove,
(possible missing line)
Till thou my patient spirit guide
Into thy perfect love.

The friends felt deeply the respect shown by the following dry goods, not____ and millinery stores being closed during the hour of the service:  Paul J. Gaum, Reiter Sisters, L. D. Keplinger, George Ickes, Samuel Katzenstein, Wm. Sta__cup, Chas. Y. Kay, J. H. Stanley and Woods & Patterson.

The remains were viewed by probably three thousand people who were coming and going in a steady stream for over three hours.  In the casket lay all that was mortal of the once loving wife and daughter – beautiful even in death and looking more like a person in sleep than like a corpse.  The robe was of beautiful white Henrietta cloth and velvet, trimmed with cream colored satin ribbon bows and streamers.  The Spanish red cedar casket was elaborately and tastefully trimmed in white silk plush, with heavy silver mountings and a silver plate bearing the one word – MOLLIE.

The floral decorations were profuse, and arranged with rare skill.  In the hall entrance was an arch of ivy, smilax and immortelles.  Large numbers of foliage and flowering plants were grouped in the different rooms.  Beautiful bouquets of cut flowers were placed on tables and stands.

At the head of the casket was a large “Pillow” of massed flowers with a white dove hovering just above it with out-spread wings.  “So He giveth His beloved sleep,” seemed to be its language.  It was the tribute of the stricken husband to the pure life that, in its going out, left his life so dark.

On a stand at the foot, the “Gates Ajar’ over which a pair of white doves were hovering, told of the faith of the bereaved father and mother, that the gates of the city of God stood ajar to admit their daughter.

On the floor in front of the casket was the “Broken Wheel of Life,” a large beautiful design, from Dr. and Mrs. Flower of Boston.

At the foot was a fine “Lyre” from Mr. and Mrs. Harry McIntosh, of Cleveland.

On a frame work back of the casket were three tiers of fine pieces.  The upper center piece was a large “Lyre” from Mr. and Mrs. James Mong.  To the right, a “Standing Anchor” from Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Milbourne, while to the left was a “Harp” from the Choir.

In the second tier was a “Pillow” of massed flowers from Mr. and Mrs. I. B. Cameron, of Salineville.  To the right, an “Anchor” from Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Reynolds, and a “Harp” from Mr. and Mrs. Willis Ramsey.  To the left, a “Cross” from Misses Dora Quinn and Rebecca Walton and Mr. Fred McDonald, and a “Broken Column” from the Sunday school.

In the lower tier, a massive “Maltese Cross” from Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Milbourne, was supported on either side by huge bouquets of cut flowers, which, with other designs, were sent in without cards.

While a great variety of flowers appeared in these pieces, roses, calla lilies and immortelles predominated.  Here and there were sprays of green and touches of other colors, adding greatly to the effect.  After the services, the remains were viewed by hundreds.  At 8 o’clock the doors were closed.

On Sunday morning as the sad party took the train for Augusta, the Sunday school of the Methodist church was dismissed as a mark of respect, which was duly appreciated.  At the depot about four hundred persons gathered silently, to see them off, and many a tear-dimmed eye was seen in the company as the train left with its precious load.

The casket was placed in the coach with the friends.  Revs. Zielie and Miller were in attendance.  A quartette from the choir, Messrs. M. W. Zielie, R. C. Milner and Misses Jessie Green and Rita Osterstock, with Miss Mary Laughlin, organist, also went with them.

At the church in Augusta the floral decorations were placed in order, and a fine “Star” ________ to them by Mr. and Mrs. Eli Messmore, of Minerva.  Up on the outside walls of the church were the words, “Bear her gently home to rest.”  But a small portion of the immense throng could get into the room.  Rev. Zielie was followed by Rev. J. B. Miller who made a short address.  “Over the Stars,” a favorite song with the deceased, was rendered by Prof. Zielie.  The last sad rites at the grave attended to, the company dispersed.

The following is the

ADDRESS OF DR. J. M. ZIELIE.

 “Well Done.” – Matthew xxv:21.

Human life is of two kinds.  One is a life of vanity – show – and selfishness without beauty, symmetry or fragrance.  This one we wish to cover and keep out of sight and let it be forgotten as soon as possible.  But a beautiful life – a life of virtue, is of choice made and kept conspicuous.  We dress it in choicest flowers, emblemizing the fragrance of a pure life in the robe and crown we weave for it.

Look at this life.  Sister Grimes was born Sept. 6, 1863.  She came as an angel of beauty, love and light, to disperse the gloom of a childless home; coming just at the time when parental hearts bled at the sight of childhood’s beautiful face and form in other homes.  Just at this moment she came, filling all hearts with joy.  “Well done.”  “Well, done.”

“Now pass over eleven years.  Do not stop to speak of the ten thousand blessings she left in her wake and bequeathed to her parents and friends, but see her eleven years later, just ready to step out of childhood into womanhood.  Hark!  Hark!!  The man of God says, “Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God?

(Missing a line or two) has so often thrilled our hearts, she said, “I do.”  Well done!  Well done!

Now one step farther.  She is led down into the watery grave by Elder O. Obert, and arises to walk in newness of life.  Angels strike their harps of gold and all the hosts of heaven rejoice.  Again I say, “Well done!  Well done!”

In October, 1882, she came to Alliance.  She found the church of her choice, that she loved so well, weakened, discouraged and almost hopeless.  Its glory had departed.  Just at this critical moment she came, and her great loving soul, her sweet, Christ like spirit, her almost angelic notes of praise, her music almost too divine to be human, stirred every heart, quickened every moral pulse and strengthened every Christian’s faith, inspiring all with new hopes.  This, in conjunction with the efforts of her devoted husband, father, mother and others of her family connection, gave new life and vigor to the church and Sunday school.  Again I say, “Well done.”

November 18, 1882, she was married by Elder J. F. Sloan to Bro. Grimes, her now bereft husband.  Today he bends over this casket, covered with flowers, sad and sorrowful, feeling deeply his loss, yet he joins in the oft repeated text, “Well done!”  “Well done.”

Brother and Sister Culp stand at this grave today, in deepest sorrow, left childless by this sudden and sad event, yet they can look up through their tears and say, “Dear, dear daughter, we shall meet you again.”  “Well done!”  “Well done!”

But last of all, on the morning of the 23d of March, 1887, aged 23 years, 6 months and 17 days, she fell asleep in Jesus, surrounded by family and friends.  As they stand on the bank weeping, let _________, and through the medium of (missing line or lines), catch a glimpse of the other shore.  I told you that angels rejoiced and sang and said, “Well done!” when she was baptized.  Now the gates of the city of God open wide and she enters home and heaven.  Then a voice so sweet, so soft, like the voice of a tender mother as she sings a sweet lullaby over her sleeping babe, the voice of Jesus Christ her Savior is heard to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”  Farewell!  We shall meet you again.”

 

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