The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
April 4, 1923
Page 3
Column 2

MRS. SARAH SAVIDGE

Sarah Elizabeth Fletcher, daughter of J. D. and Martha Fletcher, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, September 20, 1854, and departed this life March 19, 1923, at the home of her son, Van, at the age of sixty-eight years, five months and twenty-seven days.

She came with her parents to Hancock county in the fall of eighteen seventy, when she was about sixteen years of age.  She had the influence of good Christian parents and when she was fifteen years of age she was converted, baptized and joined the Baptist church.  In eighteen eighty-eight, there being no Baptist society near her home, she was received in full membership in the Methodist church, Majorville.  On July 4, 1875 she was united in marriage to Warren Savidge.  This union was blessed with four children: Willard J., who lives in Macomb; John S., who preceded his mother in death several years ago and whose going almost broke the mother's heart.  He was nineteen years of age when the death angel took him, a very attractive, intelligent boy and his parents had made great plans for his future.  The mother heart was still sore over the giving up of their sweet little daughter, Dora B. a little over three years of age when the death of John living on the home place with his family and who gave the mother such loving care in her last days of life.  Besides the two sons she is survived by her husband, two brothers, J. P. Fletcher of Carthage, W. C. Fletcher of Ferris and one sister, Mrs. Alice Larson of Colchester, several grandchildren and a number of nephews and nieces and many others who will mourn her passing.

She had been in poor health the greater part of the winter, having suffered with asthma and flu and later with heart trouble.  She seemed better and had gone to the home of her son to help care for the little ones, as their mother was quite sick, where she was soon taken violently ill and all that could be done for her was of no avail.  She was very patient and uncomplaining and Monday evening as darkness settled over the earth and the hearts of the loved ones by her bedside her pure spirit took its flight to be with Him where all is light.

She was a good Christian woman her life was replete with kindness and unselfish service.  There are few homes in this neighborhood where she has not ministered to the sick with tender hands and gentle voice.  She was always thoughtful of the comfort of others not sparing herself even when she was physically unfit to go and do.  She was loyal to the church and all of its work.  For years she superintended the Sunday school in the Liberty church trying to keep up an interest in the work there, where we have during meetings in times past, seen her face shine with the love of God as her spiritual strength was renewed.  She has gone to receive her reward, verily, "she hath done what she could."  We will miss her but we would not call her back if we could.  Loved ones prepare to meet her now.

        In heaven beautiful heaven,
    With its glory and gold and gems,
        With its living light and
            robes of white,
    Palm, harps and diadems,
        No sorrow nor sighing danger,
            nor dying,
    Within that heavenly home.
        But anthems of praise forever
            they raise,
    To Jesus, who bids us come.
                                   ---Selected.

The funeral was held at the Majorville church, at eleven o'clock, Thursday morning, March 22, and was conducted by Rev. Hardy, the regular pastor of the Majorville church.  Interment at that place.  A quartette composed of Mrs. Henry Siebert, Ada Spangler, Clem Duffy and Arthur Spangler, with Ellen Lenix as pianist, furnished beautiful and comforting music.  Relatives attending from a distance were Willard Savidge, of Macomb, Mrs. Alice Larson and sons, of Colchester, W. C. Fletcher, of Ferris, Damon Fletcher and wife, Raymond Fletcher and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harrison of Carthage, and Eva Fletcher of Burnside.             ---L. S. L.

CARD OF THANKS.

We wish to thank the many neighbors and friends for their kindness and help in our recent sorrow, also for the lovely floral remembrances.

        J. W. Savidge,
        Mr. and Mrs. Van Savidge,
        W. I. Savidge.

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