Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Enos Thompson, Jr.]

Times-Republican

Thursday    June 13, 1918    p. 8

Enos Thompson Dead

Passed Away At His Home South of Town Tuesday Evening

Enos Thompson, who has been in failing health for the past year and a half, died at his home in Ross Township, Tuesday evening about 9:30 o'clock.  Organic heart disease was given as the cause of his death.  Obituary will be published next week.

 [Enos Thompson, Jr.]

Times-Republican

Thursday   June 20, 1918    p. 8

Enos Thompson

Mr. Enos Thompson, Jr., son of the late Enos and Sarah [Colson] Thompson, was born at Greenville, Tenn., March 8, 1863, [and] joined the ranks of the blessed on Tuesday evening June the 11th, 1918.

He grew to manhood in the community of his childhood and in 1889 was married to Miss Mary E. [lizabeth] Ratliff of that place.  Five children graced this union, all of whom survive but the loved and unfortunate son, Samuel Brainard, who preceded the father to the land beyond Jan. 4, 1917.

Those who survive, with the bereaved companion, are Mrs. Roe Ethel Butts, James, Hattie Mabel, and Ruth Eva.

In 1903 deceased came with his family to Iowa and located near Clarinda and in 1911 came to the vicinity of Bedford, living west of town till March 1917, when they moved to the present home 7 miles south of town.

Deceased was converted about 1886 under the ministries of Rev. Morgan of Greenville, Tenn., came into the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Bedford in March 1914 and was a true and faithful follower [?] of his Lord and Master.

He was possessed of a deep abiding confidence in the savior yet spoke a regret at leaving the family, the church and a world in need of service, that he had not been a more faithful worker or accomplished more but was confident in a Savior's love and mercy and felt sure of an acceptance into His presence.

He said to his companion "it would be all right whether I go or stay.  If he wants me I am anxious to go if I cannot live, but will be glad to stay till he sees fit to take me."

Coming out from one of his spells of struggle and suffering and discovering tears in the eyes of his companion, he said to her, "God will wipe all the tears away."  No fear of death whatever possessed his soul.

His simple abiding confidence was wonderfully in evidence during his long watch beside his dear son who yielded to the summons call after six months of patient suffering.

Deceased was affected with some form of heart trouble for the year past and later developed chronic leakage of the heart.  Little permanent relief was afforded.  He grew gradually worse until the end came Tuesday evening.

A good man has gone.  A beautiful example of clean, lofty manhood has come to a close, yet shall live on in lives that it influenced.  One of God's noble family units has again yielded to the breaking by a wise providence, and they shall find the separation a sore affliction to the very soul, but Christ our Lord is a guest in that home, a friend in every experience.  Make him your refuge. Some day the mists and clouds will all be cleared away and in that beautiful sunlit land of the Soul, we shall meet him, meet our love and lost awhile, to know that God hath "wiped away our tears."

[Phoebe Vaughn Carson]

Times-Republican

Thursday    June 20, 1918    p. 8

Mrs. Phoebe Vaughn Carson

Mrs. Phoebe Vaughn Carson was born in Georgetown, Pa., June 4, 1826, and was the daughter of William and Irene Axtell Vaughn.  She was one of ten children and is the last survivor, although she was the fifth in order of age.

She came to Linn County, Iowa, in 1842.  On June 4, 1850, she was united in marriage with Joseph Scott Carson.  To this union four children were born, one of whom, Orville Scott Carson, preceded his mother in death, March 4, 1907.

The family home was in Linn County for many years.  In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Carson moved to Ord, Neb., where the home was at the time of Mr. Carson's death, which occurred in Bedford, while they were making a visit with friends, in March 1894.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Carson made her home with her daughter, Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers [Olive].

Early in life, she became a member of the Presbyterian Church and continued to be a faithful and devoted follower of her Christ through the years of a long life.

Her husband was an elder for many years in the church and Mrs. Carson's interest was unceasing.

She was a great student and had a veritable treasure house of facts and information laid away which she knew how to use advantageously.

During her long life she enjoyed exceptional health.  She suffered many accidents in her later years, but displayed a vitality and patience that was indeed wonderful.

After a short illness she passed away Monday evening, June 17, 1918, aged 92 years and 13 days.

The funeral was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers, Wednesday, June 19, 1918, at 5 P.M.  The service was conducted by Rev. John A. Currie and interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

The surviving children are: Irvin Carson, Tama, Iowa; Will Carson, Ord, Neb., and Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers [Olive], Bedford.  There are also many relatives and scores of friends who knew and loved her in life.

Hers was indeed an eventful life.  Her friends rise up to call her blessed.

[CARSON, PHOEBE VAUGHN]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, June 19, 1918
Aged Pioneer Is Called by Death
Mrs. Phoebe Vaughn Carson Dies Monday Evening
Came to Linn County, Iowa in 1842—Made Home in Latter Years with A. J. Sowers, a Daughter—Funeral Wednesday
Mrs. Phoebe Vaughn Carson, one of the old Iowa pioneers, passed away Monday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers, age 92 years and 13 days. She came to Linn county, Iowa in 1842. The funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers Wednesday afternoon at 5 p. m. conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie of the Presbyterian church. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.
Phoebe Vaughn Carson was born in Georgetown, Pa., June 4, 1826, and was the daughter of William and Irene Axtell Vaughn. She was one of ten children and is the last survivor although she was the fifth in order of age. She came to Linn county, Iowa in 1842. On June 4, 1850, she was united in marriage to Joseph Scott Carson. Four children were born to this union, one of whom, Orville Scott Carson, preceded his mother in death Mar. 4, 1907. The family home was in Linn county for many years.
In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Carson moved to Ord, Nebr., where the home was at the time of Mr. Carson's death, which occurred in Bedford March 1894, while they were making a visit here. After the death of her husband Mrs. Carson made her home with her daughter, Mrs. A.[ndrew] J. Sowers.
Early in life she became a member of the Presbyterian church and continued to be a faithful and devoted worker. Her husband was for many years an elder in the church and Mrs. Carson's interest never ceasing. She was a great student and had a veritable treasure house of facts and information laid away which she knew how to use advantageously.
During her long life she enjoyed exceptional health.  She suffered many accidents in her later years, but displayed a vitality and patience that was indeed wonderful. After a short illness she passed away Monday evening, June 17th.
The surviving children are Lee Carson, Tama, Iowa; Will Carson, Ord, Nebr.; and Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. Sowers, Bedford. There are also many relatives and scores of friends who knew Mrs. Carson and loved her. Hers indeed was an eventful life. Her children and her friends arise to call her blessed.

[Eva May Spencer Reece]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 25, 1922    [p. 1]

Mrs. George Reece

Mrs. Geo. Reece [Eva May Spencer] passed away at her home in north Bedford, Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, after months of intense suffering.

On account of the extremely heavy rains the funeral, which was to have been held Thursday, was postponed and no definite arrangements are yet made for the hour set for interment.

She was known in the community as one always ready to do the Christian's part whenever the occasion presented itself.  She was quiet and modest in manner.  As a neighbor she was kind and obliging.  As a mother she was ever ready with a word of praise when a kindliness was shown her.  So, we are but voicing the sentiment of all who knew her, when we say that in her departure the community has lost a valuable neighbor, and her many friends and relatives are made to feel the Will of Him who bids his people to be ready, for we know not the hour when death shall come.

She will be missed in the home by the lonely companion and children, who were so fond of looking into the smiling face of a dear mother.  Innumerable friends will extend their sincere sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Dearest Mother, thou hast left us,

   We our loss do deeply feel;

But ิtis God that hath bereft us,

   He can all our sorrows heal.

We will publish the obituary in our next issue.

[Eva May Spencer Reece]

Times-Republican

Tuesday    May 30, 1922    [p. 3]

Eva May Reece

Eva May Reece was born in Nodaway County, Mo., April 19, 1870, and died May 22, 1922, at her home in Bedford, age 52 years, 1 month and 3 days.

Eva May was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Spencer [Almira Bishop].

On Feb. 20, 1895, she was married to George Reece, and to this union was born four children, Geneva Gail Keith of Blockton, Ia.; Ava A., John S., and Mary Ruth, at home.  She leaves to mourn her demise, besides the above named children, her husband, mother, two sisters, three brothers, two grandchildren, who were all present when she passed away, with the exception of one brother, Elmer, of Boulder, Colo.  She also leaves a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her departure.

Mrs. Reece became a Christian in 1914 and has since been a member of the Berea congregation southwest of Bedford.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning from the family home, Rev. Lowe conducting the services.  The body was laid to its eternal resting place in Fairview cemetery, a large cortege of friends and neighbors paying their last tribute of respect to the departed one by their presence at the last sad rites at the grave.  In the loss of this good woman, the home loses a faithful wife and devoted mother, and although time may somewhat allay the sorrow of her departure, her memory will be forever cherished, and her words of wisdom and good cheer instilled in the hearts of the bereaved ones to the end of time.