William Gray Obituary

GRAY --- William Gray was born 1840, and died April 27, 1890, age nearly 50 years.  He was a kind neighbor, an affectionate companion and a loving father.  Our Sabbath schoool has lost an able instructor, our Church a wise counselor, our communtity a good man.  The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Church at Holly Grove, by Rev. E. L. Beard.  The house was full of those who by sad faces and weeping eyes testified that they had lost a friend.  He was attending prayer meeting at DeAnn on the evening of the 27, and after calling for his favorite song, was called on to offer prayer.  He knelt to respond but the Master's summons reached him, and though his lips and countenance bespoke a fervent desire to address the throne of grace.  He never spoke again and lived only about ten minutes after kneeling.  He has been long and favorable known through Hempstead and Howard Cos., Ark., as a pious and consistent Christian, and won friends wherever he went by his mild and gentle spirit, and none who knew him will ever doubt but heaven will be brightened by his presence.  Wherever he resided he left foot prints on the sand of time .  When he died he was assistant superintendant of DeAnn Sunday-School, and was teacher of our Little People's class.  He commenced with five scholars and by his gentle and kind persuasive manner increased the number to twenty.  He has been a long and patient sufferer for years from rheumatism, but he bore his pains with Christian fortitude.  The doctor pronounced his death caused by a sudden attack of rheumatism of the heart.  He died in the harness, his last act was serving his divine Master.                                                      Servant of God well done,                                                         Rest from thy loved employ                                                     The batle's fought the victory won,                                                         Enter thy Master's joy                                                                   W.J. Hautsfield                                                                   Supt. DeAnn, S.S. Source:  The Arkansas Methodist, May 21, 1890

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