Mary Jane Van Meter Lewis
from - Jane Evans <devans16@tampabay.rr.com>
Birth: Oct. 11, 1811, Elizabethtown, Hardin Co.,KY
Death: Feb. 6, 1904, Bedford, Taylor Co., IA

Mrs. Lewis was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rhoads) Van Meter and granddaughter of Jacob and Letitia (Strode) Van Meter and Henry and Elizabeth (Stoner) Rhoads. 

Her husband was Wm. Lewis, II.

Their 11 children were: 
Joseph Lewis, David VanMeter Lewis, Abraham Buford "Abram" Lewis, Jacob VanMeter Lewis, John Franklin Lewis, Endamile VanMeter Lewis, Charles Hall Lewis, Joseph Harrison Lewis, Elizabeth Ann Lewis McCracken Evans, (1. Mrs. Thos. Jefferson McCracken and 2. Mrs.Wm. Franklin Evans), Mary Susan Lewis Creek, (Mrs. John Creek), and Amanda Lewis Evans, (Mrs. Wm. Franklin Evans).

Aged 91 years 3 months and 25 days old, Grandma Lewis passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas McCracken, of old age infirmities and an illness spanning about two months. Mrs. Lewis was one of the pioneers of the county, and at the time of death was well known throughout the area. Her survivors include 2 daughters, Mrs. W.F. Evans and Mrs. Thomas McCracken, of Bedford; 3 sons, Joe and John Lewis of Wyoming; Charles of Wadsworth, NV, and Jake, of Walla Walla, WA. 

The funeral was held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. McCracken, conducted by Rev. Griffith of the Baptist church. Interment: Fairview Cemetery, Bedford. Mary shares a stone with her husband, Wm. and their son, Abram. Her inscription reads: Blessed are they that die in the Lord; their works do follow them.