Thus ended the life for which we mourn, and for which we meet to pay a last tribure of love and respect.  The life that has been so beloved, the life that has done so much good in this world, and yet is ended.  'Twas "Complete in Him."

After suffering, with patience, and yielding to the inevitable with beautiful Christian fortitude, the eyes of our loved one closed in death, and the "mortal put on its immortality."

Ella May Long, oldest child of the late Levi and Sarah Long, was born in Webster, Illinois, July 22, 1863.  She departed this life at her home near Joetta, May 13, 1923, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 21 days.  When a young child she moved with her parents to the old home farm a few miles south of Webster, where her childhood days were spent and where she grew to young womanhood.  She attended the public school and received a good education which developed, and in later years, she became quite a writer of home news, as well as doing other literary work.

On Nov. 10, 1881, she was united in marriage to Lemuel Parker, of Majorville vicinity.  To them three children were born: Mrs. Alice Conn, who died Sept. 1st, 1915; Mrs. Alma Thompson, of near Webster; and Harley Parker, residing on a farm near the parental home.  In this home of love and where peace and good will were found, there also came nine grandchildren, six of whom are living and mingle their childish grief with those who mourn.  One, more especially, Master Harley Parker Conn, son of her deceased daughter, and to whom she has always given a mother's love, caring for his every want in sickness or health, and lavishing so much of love upon him, that he scarce could feel the loss of his own dear mother.  Her parents passed away in September, 1905, both going to their well-earned rest within a few weeks of time.

The rest of the family, consisting of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, lived intact, to share their joys or sorrows, and to find great pleasure in each other's society, for many years, until about one year ago, May 6, 1922, the oldest brother, William, after suffering for many weeks, passed to his reward in the Great Beyond.  So that there remain yet five brothers and four sisters to mourn the death of a true loving sister as follows: Reuben H., Harvey C. and Samuel B., of Webster, Ill.; John, of Carthage, Ill.; and Charles, of Lomax, Ill.; Mrs. Maggie Duffy, of Denver, Ill.; Mrs. Lena Martin, of Denver, Colo.; Mrs. Bertha Walters, of Hamilton, Ill.; Mrs. Ethel Adams, of Liberty.  These with the loving companion, whose life has been so devoted to her, and the two loving children whose first thoughts have always been of "mother," together with the grandchildren, nieces and nephews, with whom she was a general favorite, and a multitude of other relatives and near and dear friends, mourn today the loss of one whom we all held dear.

As a mother she had few equals; her first duty was in serving and ministering to the wants of her loved companion and children.  As a friend and neighbor, she could not be surpassed, for from many, many homes comes the voice of praise and thankfulness for kindess and help in times of need.

When quite young she gave her heart to God and united with the M. E. Church at Majorville and for thirty years was a faithful servant of the "Meek and Lowly One."  For twenty-seven years she held the office of stewardess and was indeed a staunch pillar in the church.  On April 3, 1915, she organized the Majorville Social Club, for the ladies of that vicinity.  She was made president by a unanimous vote at their first meeting and held the office until her death.  Many homes were brought into closer touch with the church by the help of this club organization.  Many were brought into closer friendship with each other and the church greatly benefitted in a financial way.  All of which is accredited to her untiring zeal and efforts in the cause of Christ.

When affliction's hand was laid on her in the early winter just gone, her one desire was to consult a specialist to know the truth regarding her condition.  Her wish was granted and in February, 1923, she went to Macomb to learn that her ailment was internal cancer, and no encouragement was held out for her recovery.  Accordingly she set to work to put her case into the hands of Him "who doeth all things well," and many times she told her family and friends she was "only waiting till this weary life was o'er."  She spoke of her life to come, as one who is going on a homeward journey. She made all the arrangements necessary to her burial and it is with tender recollections that her requests have been fulfilled.  No pen can describe how she will be missed.  Not only from the home and the neighborhood, but from the columns of The Carthage Republican, a paper for which she has reported, the pleasures and sorrows of the community in and around her home, under the Joetta items as "Hetty," for many years.

Yes, she will be missed and her place will be hard to fill.  But all have the comfort of feeling that all that loving hands or medical skill could do, was done, and at the call of the voice from on high she calmly answered the summons and fell asleep."  We ask ourselves, why, oh, why, was she taken, when it seemed she was needd so much hre below.  The answer comes "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hearafter."  So we bow in submission to His will, trusting that "Sometime we'll understand."

Funeral service was held at Majorville, Tuesday at 2 p. m., conducted by Rev. Mr. Hardy, of Colchester, who is the pastor in charge of that church, assisted by Rev. Mr. Sailor, a former pastor, both of whom spoke in the highest terms of the deceased, and gave the sorrowing friends such a comforting message, we felt sure their burden was lifted and behind the dark cloud they saw the silver lining.  The choir was composed of singers of her choice, who sang the songs she loved and also selected.  Those who sang were, Mrs. L. S. Hobart, Miss Adda Spangler, Messrs. Clem Duffie and L. S. Hobart with Miss Martha Walker, pianist.  The songs they sang were "There'll be no dark valley," "Sometime we'll understand," "Only Remembered by What I have Done."  There was also a solo, "The Vacant Chair," sung by Hugh E. Alton, of Fountain Green, which was a special request by our dear departed one, and it is needless to say, many eyes were dim with tears as his splendid voice ended the sweet melody.

The pall bearers were six nephews: Clarence Walters, Fred Rings, Gail and Vernon Long, Cleo and Murray Duffy.

The floral tributes were extremely beautiful and profuse, filling the air with their sweet perfume, tokens of love and esteem.  The spacious church was filled, packed to the limit from door to pulpit, and many unable to enter.  The body was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church door, by the side of loved ones gone on before.  May she rst in peace.

The writer has known this dear departed friend since our girlhood days.  Our friendship never waned.  Our pleasant jokes through the columns of the B. and G. were so many "clinkers" to its loyalty, and we feel safe to say the "Old Home Paper" will never be quite the same, to many of its readers, since "Hetty" is gone.  Yes, we miss her, but we hope again to greet her on the "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." Chat.

Words fail to express our appreciation and gratitude for the many acts of kindess shown to our loved one during her long illness, and for the help and sympathy to us after her departure.  Especially do we thank the choir and all who gave the lovely floral pieces, gifts of love and esteem.

From the collection of Okle Campbell Browning; verbatim transcription.  The image of Ella May is from a family portrait shared by Cora R. Swift.

See also: Marriage License  (91k) Hetty's Joetta Columns Levi Long & Sarah Callihan

Mrs. Lem Parker, of Joetta, long known and beloved of the Republican's readers as "Hetty" passed away at her home near Joetta, Sunday afternoon.

A number of things have contributed to the greater growth and enlightenment of community life--the newspaper, better schools, the telephone, free rural mail delivery, hard roads, etc., but one of the greatest assets to community growth has been the country correspondent.

The late editor of The Carthage Republican, J. M. Davidson, originated the country correspondent, being the first editor in Illinois or in the United States, as far as can be ascertained to create and make use of the country correspondent.

The country correspondent created a community spirit in his section that gave cast and tone nothing else so extensively engendered.  The community was placed on a higher plane by the conservatorship of the fine men and women who wielded the pen in praise or protest, in sorrow or rejoicing with their neighbors, through the medium of the well beloved county weekly.

"Hetty" was the highest type of contry correspondent.  The community life is better for her having lived in it and the influence of her pen through the columns of The Carthage Republican.

May she rest from her labors for her works do follow her.

Lemuel L. Parker, 86, well known resident of the Majorville community and father of Mrs. Lester Thompson of Carthage, died Sunday morning at the home of his son, Harley Parker of Majorville, where he had been cared for the last six days.

Funeral services were held at the Majorville church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. Eugene Bell of Colchester.  Mrs. Doris Pogue and Miss Lois Conn sang two hymns.  The pallbearers were five grandsons, Harley Conn, Donald Thompson, Donald Haines, Russell Jackson and Harlan Lenix and a nephew, Frank Wright.  Burial was in the Majorville cemetery.

Lemuel Parker, youngest son of Charles and Rebecca (Trowel) Parker, was born October 6, 1857 at the old pioneer homestead three quarters of a mile south of the Majorville church in Hancock township.  Since the death of his companion 20 years ago he has lived in his own home.

On November 10, 1881 he was united in marriage to Ella May Long who passed away May 13, 1923.  To them three children were born, Mrs. Alice Conn passed away September 1, 1915, Mrs. Alma Thompson of Carthage and Harley residing on a farm joining the parental home. There are seven grandchildren, one of whom, Harley Parker Conn, son of the deceased daughter, was cared for in his grandparent's home for several years during early childhood.

Mr. Parker attended the Majorville church services in all three of the church buildings erected on or near the present church yard.  The parents of Mr. Parker were married in Marion county, Tenn., in 1840 and six years later came by covered wagon to the home which became the birthplace of this son who was the last surviving member of a family of ten children.  They were John, a volunteer soldier in the Civil war at 18 years of age, responded to his country's call and started for the front but was taken sick with measles and died at Bolwar [Bolivar], Tenn.  His was the first body to be buried in the Majorville cemetery before a church had been erected, services being held in the Major Williams' dwelling.  Samuel died in California, James near Middle Creek, Jachariah [Charles Zachariah] in Kansas, Laban in Colorado, a sister, Mrs. Anna Chatterton died of measles six weeks after her wedding day and the other sister, Mrs. Ada Wright in 1933.

From the collection of Okle Campbell Browning; verbatim transcription except for [bracketed] additions.  The photo of Lemuel and Harley Parker is a small portion of a large picture of a group who gathered to clean up Majorville Cemetery in 1939, from the collection of Irvin A. Pogue.

See also: Charles W. Parker & Rebecca Trowell

Charles Parker, 48, male, farmer, value of real estate 1000, value of personal estate 440,
born VA
Rebecca, 42, female, born VA
James, 19, male, farmer, born TN, attended school within the year
John, 17, male, farmer, born TN, attended school within the year
William, 11, male, born IL, attended school within the year [This must have been Charles Zachariah]
Labon, 9, male, born IL, attended school within the year
Ann, 6, female, born IL
Emanuel, 3, male, born IL   [Lemuel]

Parker, Charles W, 58, male, white, farmer, born VA, male citizen of the U.S. age 21 or more
Rebecca, 51, female, white, keeping house, born TN
Ada B, 7, female, white, born IL, [school attendance not indicated]
Lemuel, 12, male, white, born IL, [school attendance not indicated]
Ann E, 14, female, white, born IL, [school attendance not indicated]
Labon, 18, male, white, born IL, [school attendance not indicated]

Family 13
Long, William, 62, male, white, farmer, value of real estate 5000, value of personal estate 800, born PA, male citizen of the U. S. aged 21 or more
Mary W, 69, female, white, keeping house, born PA

Family 14
Long, Levi, 38, male, white, farmer, value of real estate 1600, value of personal estate 800, born PA, male, citizen of the U. S. aged 21 or more
Sarah, 24, female, white, keeping house, born IL
Ellen, 6, female, white, born IL, attended school within the year
William, 5, male, white, born IL
Maggie, 2, female, white, born IL
[Son Reuben, born in 1866, is missing from this listing, but his name appears on the last line of this page, within the household of Joseph Spangler: Long, Reuben, 4, male, white,
born IL]

Parker, Charles W, white, male, 68, married, farmer, born VA, both parents born VA
Rebecca, white, female, 51, wife, married, keeping house, born TN, father born NC, mother
born TN
Lemuel, white, male, 22, son, single, farmer, born IL, father born VA, mother born TN
Ada, white, female, 17, daughter, single, keeping house, born IL, father born VA, mother born TN

Long, Levi, white, male, 48, married, farmer, born PA, both parents born PA
Sarah E, white, female, 33, wife, married, keeping house, born PA, both parents born PA
Mary E, white, female, 16, daughter, single, keeping house, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
William L, white, male, 15, son, single, farmer, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
Reuben H, white, male, 13, son, single, farmer, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
Margaret F, white, female, 12, daughter, single, keeping house, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
Bertha S, white, female, 10, daughter, single, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
John N, white, male, 7, son, single, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents born PA
Charles F, white, male, 5, son, single, attended school within the year, born IL, both parents
born PA
Anna L L, white, female, 2, daughter, single, born IL, both parents born PA
William, 72, white, male, father, widower, farmer, born PA, both parents born PA
Kluckner, William, white, male, 21, single, laborer, unemployed for 3 months during the census year, born PA, both parents born PA
Ballard, Wiram [sic], white, male, 27, single, laborer, unemployed for 4 months during the census year, born IL, both parents born PA
Emmings, Ida, white, female, 17, servent [sic], attended school within the year, born IL, father born MO, mother born PA
Wilson, John, white, male, 3 [sic], single, laborer, born PA, both parents born PA
Paterson, Marion, white, male, 21, single, laborer, born MO, both parents born MO

Parker, Lem, head, white, male, Oct 1857, [age poorly written, looks more like 22 than anything else], married for 18 years, born IL, father born VA, mother born TN, farmer, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, rented his farm home, farm schedule 99

Ella M, wife, white, female, July 1863, 36, married for 18 years; mother of 3 children, all living; born IL, both parents born PA, could read, write and speak English

Alice P, daughter, white, female, Apr 1885, 15, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 4 months, could read, write and speak English

Harly L, son, white, female, May 1887, 13, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 5 months, could read, write and speak English

[continued on next page]

Parker, Alma M, daughter, white, female, Nov 1890, 9, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 5 months, could read, write and speak English

Parker, Lemuel, head, male, white, 53, married (1st) for 28 years, born IL, father born VA, mother born TN, spoke English, farmer, general farm, employer, could read and write, owned his farm home free of mortgage, farm schedule 35

Ella, wife, female, white, 46, married (1st) for 38 years; mother of 3 children, all living; born IL, both parents born PA, spoke English, could read and write

Alma, daughter, female, white, 19, single, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Booz, Alpha, niece, female, white, 14, single, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Parker, Lemuel, head, owner, [no entry for home value], did not own a radio, lived on a farm, male, white, 72, widower, age at first marriage - 24, could read and write, born IL, father born VA, mother born TN, spoke English, farmer, general farm, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - no, farm schedule 8