Dykes - Louisa Smith
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 30 August 1901
Louisa D. Smith was born in Mississippi Nov. 17, 1844, and died at her home two miles west of Colfax, Ind., Aug. 27, 1901, aged 56 years, 9 months and 10 days. She was married to James Dykes January 16, 1869. To them were born nine children, seven of whom with the husband survive her, a son dying a little more than a year ago and a daughter in infancy. For several years Mrs. Dykes had been a great sufferer with consumption and her death has been apprehended for some time.
Although in pain almost beyond human endurance, when not under the influence of medicine, she was conscious and greeted her friends with a smile and kind word, and when asked how she was would say, “I am resting, or did rest easy,” whichever it might be. Never complaining but always patient and often thinking and suggesting something to be done for other sufferers.
She united with the Christian Church at Colfax in June, 1900, and it was a great pleasure to her to worship there when her health permitted. On the afternoon of the last meeting day her pastor and the choir came to her home and prayed and sang. She listened with tears rolling down her cheeks and looking into the face of one of the watchers after her eyes had been raised heavenward, said, “I am all right.”
She was ready to go and often wished for death to relieve her of her misery. She is not dead but sleepeth, and if we could raise the veil and look into eternity a frail hand would beckon us on. Some day—and yes it may be soon—we’ll cross the dark waters and meet mother with arms outstretched to welcome us to our Savior’s home. - thanks s