Obituaries from the Past
Susan Gaskins Osteen (daughter of Fisher Gaskins and Mary Lacy Gaskins)
Mrs. Susan (Gaskins) Osteen
Sister Osteen was born in Georgia, Aug. 9, 1826, and died at her home in Volusia county, Fla, April 14, 1886; being nearly 60 years old. She was married to H. E. Osteen September 20, 1860, and was the mother of eleven children. The deceased was converted under the ministry of the venerable S. T. Stanaland, of Marion county, and was baptized by him at Fort Reid, Orange county, in the latter part of the year, 1851, and but few, perhaps, have adorned their profession of Christianity more than did she. In her relations of wife, mother, Christian, and friend, she was true and faithful and always beloved. She was remarkably quiet and gentle, not very demonstrative, yet firm and positive. Her home was her delight and her children "rose up and called her blessed." The write has often though of devotion and quoted the words:
- "Had thou sounded the depths of yonder sea,
- And counted the sands that under it be?
- Hast thou measured the height of heaven above?
Her death was sudden, and she said but little of her state of mind, but a year or so before her death she was quite ill and though she was dying, and spoke freely of her departure, and urged her children to prepare to all meet her. Her life was that of the righteous. She sleeps in Jesus, and will awake in His likeness. Her husband and relatives (among them an only sister) mourn nost as those who have no hope.
W. N. Chardoin