Mrs. Mary Branscomb ~ Iowa
Decatur County Journal
October 22, 1914
VAN WERT NEWS
Mrs. Mary Branscomb, who had been sick for some time, died on Thursday of last week at the home of her son, Will, where she had been staying for some little time. Grandma Branscomb had been afflicted with almost total blindness for several years and recently had a fall which resulted in a misplaced or broken hip.
Her suffering the last week or so was intense and death came as a blessed release. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M.E. Church, Rev. Morrow officiating.
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OBITUARY
Mrs. Mary Branscomb, commonly known as Grandmother Branscomb, died at the home of her son, William J. Branscomb, of Van Wert, Iowa, Friday morning, October 16, 1914. Mrs. Branscomb lived to attain the ripe age of 89 years. She was an excellent Christian character, is the testimony of all who personally knew her. She affiliated herself with the Methodist Church in early girlhood and continued an efficient member of the same till death.
Old-fashioned like, Grandmother Branscomb selected her scripture lesson, the text and songs to be used at her funeral. The text was taken from the book of Revelation, 14:13, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, their works do follow them." The scripture lesson was read from Revelation 7:7-17. All was certainly fitting to the life of the deceased.
The funeral service was conducted in the First M.E. church of Van Wert. The pastors of the two churches, Christian and Methodist, assisted. The Rev. Mr. Tillitson, of Osceola, preaching the sermon. Rev. Tillitson is a close friend of the family and was an old neighbor of Grandmother Branscomb. Rev. Tillitson's remarks were very fitting; he related some of the experiences he had had with the deceased in her earlier life, which to him were most precious and helpful.
To mourn their loss, the deceased leaves a son, W.J. Branscomb, of Van Wert; Mrs. Rosetha Steen and Mrs. Haster Clanton, also of Van Wert; Mrs. T. Poland, of Lineville; besides a host of friends.
Tennyson said, "Happy He with such a mother!"