Mrs. Mary Benefiel ~ sister of Martha Alice (Hand) Bright
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, February 9, l922
MARTHA ALICE HAND was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, March 24, l862 and died at her home in Leon, Iowa, February 4, l922, being aged 59 years, l0 months and l0 days.When about eleven years of age she, with her parents and family, moved to Decatur County, locating near Leon, and this vicinity has ever since been her home.On the 29th day of July, l886, she was united in marriage to JAMES S. BRIGHT in Leon.The family home was immediately established in this town and one child, MRS. OLIVE WILSON, came to bless this union.
MRS. BRIGHT was converted to Jesus Christ when about fifteen years of age, uniting at the time with the Methodist Church and to the end maintained her faith and died triumphant.The illness which resulted in this bereavement has been of long duration.MRS. BRIGHT had suffered intensely, but through the entire ordeal she was patient and uncomplaining, accepting her lot with Christian fortitude.There are left to mourn the death of this good woman, besides the husband and daughter, six sisters, MRS. H.E. DAVIS, of York, Neb.; MRS. E.J. DAVIS, of Des Moines, Iowa; MRS. LAURA LEFLER, of Van Wert, Iowa; MRS. MARY BENEFIEL, of Leon, Iowa; MRS. S.E. DUWE, of Calora, Neb.; and MISS MINNIE HAND, of Leon, and one brother, NOAH HAND, of Gresham, Neb.
The funeral service was held from the Leon M.E. Church, Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by the Pastor.The body was laid to rest in the Leon Cemetery.
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
June l8, 2002