Edwards - Irena
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 Aug 1898 p 9
“Iola News” – Again God in His infinite mercy has seen fit to call from our midst a beloved friend and schoolmate. Miss Irena May Edwards was born June 15, 1878 and departed this life Friday July 20, 1898 aged 20 years one month fourteen days. “Rena,” as she was always called, was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was afflicted with that dread disease consumption for about 5 months, yet she bore her long illness patiently and only waited until her dear Savior’s call for her. The funeral services were conducted Saturday by Revs. Francis and Riley at the Walnut Chapel Christian Church of which she was a member. One of the largest crowds ever gathered there was present to pay the last respects to one whom they all loved. When her friends gathered around the coffin to take the last look they could hardly realize that she had lived and suffered earth, but looked as one fresh from the hands of God waiting for the breath of life. It is hard to think that one so young midst lie down by the roadside to rest before her journey is complete here on earth. God knows best. It will teach us the awful lesson that death is sure and life is uncertain. We will all endeavor to so live that we shall meet her in the great beyond where no parting ever comes. She leaves a loving mother, one sister, one brother, two half brothers and two half sisters, besides a large number of other relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Mourn not, for we know that thou are gone to dwell with our dear Lord and what is our loss is her gain. May she rest in peace and may her pure white soul forever dwell with the good angel who took her by the hand and wandered away into the bowers of eternal summer - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 5 Aug 1898 p 1
Irena M. Edwards, daughter of Curtis and Carrie Edwards, was born June 15, 1878, and departed this life July 29, 1898, aged 20 years, one month and 14 days. She leaves a mother, brother, a sister, two half brothers and two half sisters, and a host of friends to mourn her loss. To know her was to love and respect her. She was an obedient daughter, an affectionate friend, loved and respected by all. She united with the Christian Church at Walnut Chapel Feb. 3, 1898. She was an active worker in the Christian Endeavor Society before becoming a member of the church, and was a lover of the truth and Christianity and was always present at all of the church services. She bore her illness of six months of that dreaded disease, consumption, with patience and Christian fortitude and was often found reading her Bible and singing the songs of Zion, “The Sweet Bye and Bye” being one of her favorite songs.
The funeral was preached at the Walnut Chapel Church by Rev. J. C. Francis assisted by Rev. Riley, of the M. E. Church. The text was Jeremiah 15th chapter, 20th verse, “Her sun shall no more go down.” The body was laid in its last resting place in the K. P. Cemetery at Mace.