MUD RIVER ASSOCIATION
Old Regular Baptist of Jesus Christ
Mt. Zion Church
Pecks Mill, West Virginia
August 1954

OBITUARIES

Fry, Ida Ball -born November 2, 1883, and departed this life January 1, 1954; age 70 years, 1 month and 29 days. She was the daughter of James H. Elkins and Jane Cook Elkins. She was the youngest child in a family of 7 children-3 brothers, Edward, Black and Grant; 3 sisters, Laura, Mary and Florence; also a younger sister, Lizzie, her father having married the second time. All except Grant and Florence have preceded her in death. At about the age of 18 she was married to Isaac B. Ball, and to this union was born 7 children, Eva, Jane, Elna Anne, Ronald, Patrick, John, Hazel and Hobart, all of whom are living, except John and Hazel. Uncle Ben, her first husband, having departed this life Jan. 17, 1919, she was later married to Marshall Fry and to this union was born three children, Evelyn, Emil and Billy, all of whom are living. Uncle Marshall having died in 1952, she Was a widow at the time of her death. About 1949 she told the writer of this obituary of the change in her life, how she felt that God for Christ's Sake had pardoned her sins, of her desire for a home in the church, and that she wanted to be baptized. She later came to the church, was received and baptized into full fellowship, taking part in our union communion and foot washing service. We feel that when the trumpet of God shall sound and the dead in Christ shall come forth, that she will be in that number who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, at which time she will be given an incorruptible body fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body. To those who are out of the ark of safety, please remember that all men everywhere are commanded to repent, and except ye repent ye shall all perish. Aunt Ida leaves to mourn her passing her immediate family and a host of relatives and friends, and to all those who knew Aunt Ida this is my wish and prayer for you that in that great day you, may hear that welcome " voice, Come in, ye blest of the Father, inherit that kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Written by Wetzel Ball.

Harless, Martha Alice -the daughter of Adam and Martha Miller, was born November 18, 1869, and departed this life June 3, 1954; age 84 years, 6 months and 15 days. She was from a large family of 11 children, 7 boys and 4 girls, 7 of whom preceded her in death. Three boys, Add Miller, of St. Albans; George Miller, Myra; and Joe Miller, Hamlin, W. Va., are still living to mourn the loss of their departed sister. She was married in early life to a Mr. Adkins, and to this union was born 8 children, 5 of whom are still living. After the death of her first husband she married Brother S. E. Harless, of Foster, W. Va., who survives her departure. She was a member of Little Laurel Regular Baptist Church and when permitted to go always filled her seat. Her union with Brother Harless was a very pleasant one. The writer believes they were as happy as any couple he has had the pleasure of knowing. Her suffering during her last days was almost unbearable, however, she bore her pain in much patience, realizing that he who doeth all things well would have it that way that she might be made perfect through suffering. I would say to Brother Harless and her many relatives and friends, "To sorrow not, even as others which have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them, in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words: So, children and friends, if you want to live with Aunt Alice in that country where people never die, you must be prepared, through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus, to be in that number having their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. For she looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Written by Wetzel Ball.

Slone, Mrs. Mary -daughter of David and Emma Hayes, was born Dec. 2, 1885. She was married to the late B. H. Slone Feb. 1, 1908. To this union were born seven children, three boys having preceded her to the great beyond. Four children and four sisters survive. She accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized into the fellowship of the Little Laurel Church of Regular Baptists in July, 1919, living a faithful Christian life for 34 years. She departed this life Dec. 12, 1953, having lived 68 years and 10 days. During the last days of her illness she talked constantly of going home and of her "precious Jesus and Savior", whom she loved so much.
MOTHER
We loved you, yes, we loved you,
But Jesus loved you more; And he has gently called you
To live on that golden shore.
We miss you, oh, we miss you, But the angels missed you more;
And now you are with your loved ones, Who have gone on before.
We'll meet you, yes, we'll meet you,
When all life's trials are o'er; By God's grace, we'll meet you,
Where parting will be no more.
Written by Norma Cook, daughter. II

Isaacs, Malissie Lane Hays -daughter of the late Preston Hays and Emma Triplett Hays, was born Jan. 25, 1878, in Floyd County, Kentucky, and was united in marriage to Sherman Isaacs, Feb. 27, 1896, and to this union was born 13 children, 9 sons and 4 daughters. Three sons and 1 daughter have preceded her in death. The living sons are as follows: Willie Isaacs, St. Albans, W. Va.; Ellis Isaacs, Charleston, W. Va.; David and Ralph Isaacs, of Huntington, W. Va.; Hanley Isaacs, of Sidney, Ohio; Verlin Isaacs, West Hamlin, W. Va. The three living daughters are: Mrs. Opal Lucas, Logan, W. Va.; Mrs. Treacy Miller, Hamlin, W. Va.; and Mrs. Estelle Nida, West Hamlin, W. Va. In 1897, feeling that God for Christ's sake had pardoned her sins, she offered herself for membership in the Regular Baptist Church. She was received and was baptized into the fellowship of the church the first Sunday of August of that same year. She departed this life July 15, 1954, age 76 years, 5 months and 20 days. She was a loving mother, a faithful wife and sweet companion to her husband and was loved by all who knew her. A mother in Israel is gone, a seat is empty in the home and vacant in the church. We can only say, with John the Revelator, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." Yea, saith the spirit from henceforth, that they may cease from their labors arid their works do follow them. Her spirit has gone to God who gave it, her body laid in the narrow confines of the tomb to await the Resurrection morn, at which time she will hear the joyful round of the trumpet of God and will come forth with a body fashioned like unto his glorious body. Body, soul and spirit will be reunited and she will ascend to meet the Lord in the air, and carried on clouds of glory to that eternal abode where she will ever  be with the Lord to sing His praises forevermore.
Written by Wetzel Ball.