Coons - Mary A. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Mary A. Coons was born August 8, 1855, and died January 20, 1901, being 45 years, 4 months and 12 days of age. She, with her twin brother, Jesse, was the oldest of the nine children of John K. Coons:--Jesse, Mary, James, Nancy, Catherine, Francis, Belle and Emma by his first wife, Marjory Elizabeth Vancleave, and Myrtle, by his second wife, Amelia Blackwell. Of these, James died when he was about two years old, the rest, except sister Nancy and the half sister, Myrtle, are here today. Her mother died when she was 11 years old, leaving to her the care of the house and younger children, a great responsibility for one so young, but one that she discharged with true heroism. On her father’s second marriage, when she was 14 years of age, she removed to her grandparents’ and made her home with them until they both passed away. Since her grandfather’s death in 1896, she has made her home with her brother and sisters and her aunt Nan. When 17 years of age she obeyed the gospel and became a member of the Church of Christ at Indian Creek, Montgomery County, Indiana. This brightest of all professions she honored by a faith that never wavered, but which grew stronger as the years rolled by and her afflictions became heavier. She was not only faithful herself, but she was careful to entreat her brothers and sisters and their children, and all others to faithfulness in the divine life. It can be truly said of her, “She hath done what she could,” “She hath cast in her two mites into the Lord’s treasury,” “Good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler of many, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” The constant, kindly, helpful ministry that she gave her grandfather and grandmother heaven only knows and heaven can only adequately reward. A ministry that continued through years and years and became brighter every year. Here is a striking proof of an unseen hand outstretched to sustain under the most trying circumstances, those who trust in God, a poor, weak child coming down to death’s river through a long, dark valley of intense suffering without ever wavering, leaning on the promises of God’s holy book and finding support. She had no enemies. She loved all. - S