CLEARWATER, Serepta J. (BLACK)

CLEARWATER, BLACK, MURPHY, BLASIER, RYDER, MYERS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/12/2018 at 03:19:06

Serepta J. (Black) Clearwater
September 02, 1844 ~ May 03, 1918

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Mrs. Sarepta J. Clearwater, widow of Reuben A. Clearwater, was born at Leavenworth, Indiana, Sept. 2, 1844, and died at Decatur, Iowa, May 2, 1918, aged 73 years 7 months and 1 day.

Mrs. Clearwater was the daughter of one of the early and most respected pioneers of Decatur county, Absolom Black. Most of her life was spent in the state of Iowa. She was the personification of the word "mother," being the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are living and were present to pay loving tribute to her memory, Mrs. Ida L. Murphy, Mrs. Rose B. Blasier, Mrs. Fannie Ryder and Mrs. Oka L. Myers, of Chicago, Illinois; Fred Clearwater, of Decatur, Iowa; Walter H. Clearwater, of Wheatland, Wyoming; Noel R. Clearwater, of Clearmont, Wyoming. Four sons, Garry, Charles, Monty and Lee are deceased.

Mrs. Clearwater's Decatur friends are familiar with the daughter's devotion she gave to her mother, Mrs. Lucinda Black, in her last days, also subsequently of the sisterly care and devotion to her afflicted brother, Samuel, until his demise several years ago. Her life was a pure and christian one. Her devotion to her old home at Decatur was characteristic of her loyalty. She was proud of its citizens, her friends. She loved the trees, the flower, and to her all here was beautiful. It was a fitting close to her pure life that her last days were spent in the family homestead, surrounded by those she loved.

Funeral services were held on Monday, conducted by the Rev. P. C. Kenton, pastor of the Decatur M.E. church, a large concourse of friends being in attendance. Interment was in the Decatur cemetery.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2018