(Transcribed from copy of newspaper clipping provided by Billie Burgess, daughter-in-law to WJ Kent's daughter, Frances Massie Kent Burgess. Name of newspaper unknown

The passing of Mr. William James Kent is the end of a long and useful life. He fought valiantly under "Stonewall" Jackson in the war between the states and said in his first illness, "I, like Jackson, want to 'cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.' "

He was noted from youth for his early piety, being ordained as a deacon in the Baptist church at the age of 18 years. This palce he filled through life. He was also treasurer of his church for 40 years and superintendent of the Sunday school for 35 years.

He also filled many responsible county offices, never running for one, but being appointed to fill them because he was a wise, just man, always living the Golden Rule - often giving the advantage in buriness transactions for fear someone might think he was eeking it. He truly abstained from all appearance of evil.

By his rich and godly life of 83 years he led or influenced scores of young people, both men and women, to a saving knowlege of Jesus Christ. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Louise Sclater, May 20, 1870, spending 58 happy years together, never had spent a day on a sick bed until two years ago when he was suddenly taken ill with uraemic poisoning, spending seven weeks in Pittman hospital and again last February and March spend eight weeks in bed at his home, but God still wasn't ready for him to occupy that mansion He had prepared for those who love Him. Again he was taken sick and in the early mornign hours of Saturday, December 17, his Heavenly Father gently spoke and said "come up higher." He passed out like one asleepto awake on that immortal shore.

He leaves a devoted wife, two children, Mrs. J.F. Burgess and Mr. J.F. Kent (J.S.Kent), and five grandchildren, also one brother, Mr. Samuel Kent, of Beckley, W. Va.

He was born in Fluvanna county, Va., in 1843 and lived in the same neighboorhood until eight years ago when he came to Fayetteville to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Burgess. He never realized he had made so many friends amoung strangers until his sickness - when so many loving hands came to minister and do all that human hands could do. He was affectionally called "Grandpa" by so many young people and children with whom he came in contact.

God in His wisdom doth recall a voice we loved is still. A place is vacant in his home which never can be filled.

(From Newspaper articles provided by Harriett Marcus)

OBITUARY FROM THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Saturday 17 December 1827, front page
MR. W.J.KENT DIED EARLY THIS MORNING

Mr. W.J.Kent died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.F. Burgess, on Haymount, where he had made his home for a number of years. Mr. Kent had a host of friends in Fayetteville who learn of his death with genuine sorrow.

Funeral sesrvices will be contucted Sunday afternoon at 3 o;clock from the residence of Mr. Burgess, and interment will be made in Cross Creek cemetery. Mr. J.S. Kent and Mrs. Burgess, son and daughter ofMr. Kent are the only surviving members of the family.

Monday 19 December 1927, page 8
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR W.J. KENT

An unusually large number of people paid tribute to the memory of Mr. W.J. Kent Sunday afternoon by attending his funeral which was conducted from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J.F. Burgess, on Haymount. Interment was made in Cross Creek cemetery where the grave was banked with many exquisite floral designs.

The following friends acted as pallbears: Honorary, J.E. Bryan, J.r. Tolar, F.H. Stedman, J.A. Oates, W.H. Powell, R.A. Murchison, A.E. Martin, June Vann, N.A. Currie, Geo.E. Spencer, Dr. W.S. Verdery, Dr. J.N. Robertson, N. H. McGeachy, W.A. Vanstory, Sr, D.B. Hedgpeth, Peter McQueen, M.F. Shuford and William Bell. Active, T.M. Shaw, J.R. Boyd, E.H. Maxwell, Albert Stewart, C.W. Rankin and R.M. Vanstory.

(From Ruth Snead Papers)

WJ Kent fought under Stonewall Jackson in the Civil War, was an ordained deacon of the Baptist church at age 18, treasurer of his church for 40 years, superintendent of his Sunday School for 35 years, lived in Fluvanna Co VA until eight years before his death, when he moved to Fayetteville NC (Cumberland Co) to live with his daughter. After his death, his wife, at the age of 80, remarried a Mr. Woodson, and they honeymooned in Myrtle Beach NC

Ruth's mother said that while William J was in the army, he contracted typhoid fever and fed him nothing but tomatoes which was said to cure him.

(Miss Mattie Haden 1954 letter to Ruth Snead)

"The Kent family moved to Fayetteville, NC including the Burgess family. Fannie died some years ago and Fletcher married again. I saw his death notice last week. Fanny had one son and one adopted son. The William J. Kent home was in that section between the road to Antioch and the one I would take home"

"Two families of Kents lived around Antioch since the turn of the century. I do not know whether they are related. I knew both, but they called each other by their given names. One was Wm. J. Kent, married Bettie Sclater, whose mother was a Massie, sister of my father�s mother. The other, Brainard Kent married a Miss Jones, and lived west of Antioch some distance. They were both officers in the church. Both families moved - William J. to North Carolina and Brainard to Scottsville, VA.." The above mentioned W. J. Kent and Brainard Kent were first cousins, sons of John T. Kent and Robert A. Kent.

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