Mrs. J. F. Sumrall

In the memory of Mrs. Sumrall who was born in Clark County, Miss. June 25, 1841, being the oldest child of W.B. and Julia Gustine. She was married to Jesse F. Sumrall in Desota, Miss., December 18, 1857. When the tocsins of war were sounded in 1861, J.F. Sumrall volunteered in Co. F, 33 Miss. Inf. Upon organization of the 31st Regt. at Enterprise, Miss., he was elected Color Sargeant where he served until Oct. 3, 1863; he fell wounded with the Flag in his hands, was captured the same day and sent to a northern hospital as a prisoner of war. Upon learning her husband was dangerously wounded and a prisoner within the enemy lines, this brave woman faced the dangers all alone of crossing the enemies to reach her husband where she nursed and cared for him until he was able to be paroled and later exchanged. His wounds mad a cripple of him for life. At the close of the war, they moved to Leon County, arriving here Dec. 4, 1865. They settled where Siloam Church now stands and gave the land for the cemetery. After a long and useful life spent in the service of his God and country, this good man was laid to rest in Siloam Cemetery by Keechi Lodge No. 140 and Buffalo Lodge #554 AF&AM, he being Past Master of Buffalo Lodge and Most Worshipful Master of Keechi Lodge, on February 22, 1892. After her husband's death, Mrs. Sumrall left the old home where she spent her long and useful life to live with her children. As a school teacher she taught the first school at Siloam in 1870 and '71. She joined the Baptist Church at the organization in July, 1876. M.M. Haggard and Johnnie Brown constituted the Presbytery who organized the church. It was this writer's pleasure to live a neighbor to this good family for many years and I can truthfully say she was one of the noblest Christians I ever met; she was a leader in our community for her Savior; it was an honor to follow her. Although she was an invalid the last four years of her life she bore her afflictions as a true Christian only can. She died at her daughter's home, Mrs. D.C. Dove, in Austin, November 23, 1918. Her remains were laid to rest in old Siloam Cemetery beside her beloved husband, there to await the glorious morn when the dead in Christ shall rise to receive their reward for their good works on earth. Truly a mother in Israel has fallen but "Blessed are they who died in the Lord, their good work lives after them." So must it be. "Thou art gone to thy grave but we will not deplore the. Though darkness and sorrow encompass the tomb. The Savior has passed through its portals before thee. May the Light of His love be thy guide through the gloom." Mrs. Sumrall is survived by one brother, Dr. N.W. Gustine of Hawthorne, Texas, four children, H.D. Sumrall of Grange, Texas, L.G. Sumrall, San Angelo, Texas, Mrs. Mary J. Brown, Thorndale, Texas and Mrs. D.C. Dove, Austin, Texas. May the precepts and examples of this good woman be a lamp to guide others and especially her children in the ways of righteousness is my desire as a lifelong friend of the family.