Notes on Mary Emma Blanche Kent
(references cited on prevous page)
(from Ruth Snead papers)
"Tilden S. Williams and Emma Blanche Kent were united in marriage at the bride’s mothers - by Rev. L. P. Groves - August 21, 1907"
Blanch Kent Williams was a beautiful girl, golden hair, lovely complexion and very popular. She had a riding horse, piano and pretty clothes. I can just barely remember her. She only lived five years after her marriage. She and her husband lived with her mother.
Williams-Kent Wedding - Prominent couple marry
The wedding was a quiet one and came as a surprise to the numerous friends of the contracting parties. The ceremony was witnessed only by the immediate relatives of the bride and groom.
The bride’s wedding dress was made of white crepe dichine made over white taffeta, with white had and gloves to match. The traveling suit was a champagne panama made over taffeta, with everything to match.
The house, preparatory to the ceremony was beautifully decorated with ferns and geraniums.
The bride and groom left on the afternoon train for Washington, DC and various eastern points. No young people in Beckley are more widely or favorably known than the contracting parties. The bride is the youngest daughter of the late John T. Kent and is a beautiful and accomplished young woman and the groom ranks as one of the most substantial young businessmen of Beckley. "
Blanch Kent Williams died on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 1912, 9 PM exactly 23 years of age. She told her mother before she died that she was ready and had no fear of death.
Tribute to her memory - Rev. W. F. Dunaway (pastor of her church)
"Her relations to her church were such as to gain for her the esteem of everyone, for she was faithful, consistent and true, and her sudden summons leaves a gap in our ranks, that will not be easy to fill. She died with the Christian’s hope, and has been but called up high to her reward. As her pastor I appreciate her worth, mourn her loss, and lay this tribute upon her."
Blanch Kent joined the Church in October 1902, being 13 years of age.
"Her death robs home of one that was bright, thoughtful, kind and loving; her church of a faithful and consistent member and her community of one who was honored, esteemed and loved by all."
Mrs. J. H. Dunn says ---
"She and my mother were close friends. I would often think, as I would return from the store and see them sitting side by side together admiring some plant or bit of fancy work, what a beautiful picture of Spring and Autumn. She never came without some token of love, a bouquet of flowers, a potted plant or a tempting try. I am powerless to express how much she endeared her life to me by this kind attention shown to my invalid Mother. Her place is vacant but in memory she will continue to distill the sweet fragrance of her pure life. Her dying day was her resting day, when she rested from all sin, care and trouble, her conquering day, when she triumphed over every enemy, even death itself, her transplanting day from earth to heaven, the day of her glory, the beginning of her eternal perfect bliss with Christ. "
Another friend –
"She was never happier than when making others happy, and many friends and acquaintances can tell of the many thoughtful acts of kindness she did for the sick, her neighbors and friends. Perhaps many can recall with me her natural thoughtfulness in doing the little acts that make this world a brighter and better place in which to live, if it was only to take a bunch of flowers, from her pretty old home to a friend who was perfectly well. She did not pass the little things by.The entire community sustained a shock that came over the wires of the death of Mrs. Blanch Kent Williams of Beckley W VA.".
"The death of Mrs. T.S. Williams at 9:30 Thursday night was received here with most profound sorrow."
As many contradictory and erroneous rumors are current concerning the sickness and death of Mrs. Williams, this paper wishes to give a true statement to her friends. For six weeks, Mrs. Williams’ condition was most grave and serious, and operation was the only means of recovery. On Feb. 20, she was taken to "The Charleston General Hospital, Charleston W VA. On the 21st, the operation was performed. They were gratified at the result and hopeful for her recovery. On the 22nd, she died, the immediate cause acute dilation of the stomach. The 23rd would have been her 23rd birthday. Her remains were brought to Beckley on Friday, the 23d (her birthday) and on Sunday interred in Wildwood Cemetery. The funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church by Pastor W.F. Dunaway. It was attended by one of the largest concourses of relatives and friends of any obsequies eve in Beckley. The floral contributions were many and elaborate in the extreme, also attesting to the high regard and esteem in which the deceased was held.
Blanch Kent Williams was buried in her wedding dress and long gloves. At this time, her sister, Florence Mahood was living in Huntington, WVA and her brother Walter J. Kent in Charleston WVA. Dr. WW Hume was the family doctor. His picture is in this Bible. Her death left her mother, Mildred J. Kent, in poor health and alone. Walter J. Kent and wife, Fannie, moved from Charleston to live at the home place with his mother. This turned out to be a most unhappy arrangement. She died six years after Blanch.
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