Harris, Woodson T



Submitted by Michelle Bardin:





Obituary in the Hope Star:

 

IN MEMORY OF WOODSON T HARRIS

 

Woodson T Harris was born in the State of Alabama, June 25, 1817 and 

died July 31, 1904, being 87 years, 1 month and 6 days of age.

 

In 1841 he was married to Susan Beauchamp, who only lived about one year,

leaving one child, George W., who grew to manhood and died in the Confederate

service in the Autumn of 1861.  In 1844, he was married to Rebecca F Powell,

there being born to them 12 children, 9 of them still living:  Mary A Walden,

J W Harris, W H Harris, A B Harris, J F Harris, Sallie L Jackson and Dora E

Clopton. {NOTE - It does not mention Martha Ellen Samuel or Jasper Ely Harris

who were living.}  The decease are Francis and Virginia who died in infancy and

Lucy J Osteen who died in October 1899.  In the year 1841 he embraced religion

and joined the M E Church South and lived a consistent member of same until the

year 1870 when he united with the Missionary Baptist and remained in that church

until death, which occurred at the home of his son, JW Harris in Hempstead

County, Ark on the day above named.  He was laid to rest by the side of his

companion in the cemetery at White Oak Grove on the following day.  The funeral

services were conducted by Bro. Phillips at the church.

 

"Grandpa Harris" as he was familiarly known by every person in this community,

was one of the few men of who it can be said, died and passed over the river to

his reward without leaving a single enemy behind him.  The writer has heard it

said since he died, by men who knew him all their lives, that he was the best

man they ever knew.  This is saying a great deal, but I am sure there was none

better.  A man of his character never dies.  He is not dead, but his spirit has

gone to that God he loved and served so faithfully, and his memory lives.  His

life and character and virtues will always be cherished by and live in the

hearts of his friends.  How few there are who loved him in life that do not

mourn him in death, realizing all that was great and kind in his character:  a

citizen of purest manhood, in faith, in feeling, in practice, in all the ardent

aspirations of his soul, it was impossible from the very nature of his moral

intellectual organization that it should be otherwise, but those who lived

nearest his heart and were permitted to look in upon the secret chambers of his

inner life, found there not only the pleasing longing after immortality which

filled the souls of the ancients, but the most serious and childlike faith in

the full realization of that Heaven sent hope through the precious promises of

the gospel.  There was one of the largest gatherings of friends to look upon the

departed one for the last time we ever witnessed.  The most impressive incident

connected with the services was the kind and sympathetic talks made by his old

war comrades, all those present making a feeling talk.  These were: J S Moore,

J W Clay, W J Clark, Uriah Weatley, Joe Roberts, G B Terry, and C E Bruce.  This

burial service will continually be remembered by the good people of De Ann

Community.

 

By a life-long friend of the deceased and his family.  May the God of Heaven to

whom we point you, soften your grief with love.    Written by Jno J Osteen in De

Ann, Arkansas