John Greene Eubanks Obit
Elder John Greene Eubanks was born near Union, South Carolina, September 8th, 1843, and his mortal life was ended July 18th, 1926. He was married to Mary Massey Rogers October 5th, 1865, in Dallas, Georgia. His wife preceded him in death February 15th, 1924. He leaves a family of five sons and four daughters: James R. and Sylvester Hassell, of Louisville, Ky., Wm. Beebe, of Washington, D.C., Oliver Perry, of Wilmington, Del., Benj. T, ofNewark, Del., Miss Eugenia, of Newark, Del., who was his faithful nurse and companion to the end, Mrs. George Pyles, of Hudson, Kansas, Mrs. Henry H. Townsend, of near Phoenixville, Pa., and Mrs. Dorothy Lee, of Wilmington, Del. Seventeen grandchildren also survive him. At the age of three years his family and his wife’s people removed to Georgia, where they took up a grant of land as pioneers, among the Indians at that time. At the age of ten he was bitten by a rattlesnake and his life despaired of for a time. He was drafted into the Confederate army at the age of eighteen and served until captured, the latter part of the war, and removed to Fort Delaware, where he was a prisoner for ten months and twenty days, after which he was exchanged, but did not reenter the service. He was burdened and convicted of sin at about the age of twelve. One day while walking in the woods these words came into his heart: “Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” He had never read a Bible, for at that time, and for years afterward, he could read and write but very little, and ever after he often remarked he was convinced there was no other way for the salvation of sinners but by the life of Christ in the sinner: salvation by grace. He first united with the Missionary Baptists, but soon found that salvation by grace was not taught in that school. They saw a gift in him to preach, but on his first trial he failed miserably, and decided never to try it again. He secured a position on the railroad and did not enter a meetinghouse for several months. One day his train was derailed and he was thrown under the cars, but was miraculously protected from death by his Creator, and while in that precarious position these words came sweetly into his mind (as he has told it many times), “Are you willing to be a little preacher?” and his reply was, “I am willing to be God Almighty’s anything.” He immediately left his position and returned home, was baptized in the summer of 1865, and was ordained at Aeworth, Georgia, in November or December of the same year. He servedSardis, Maloney Springs and Mt. Zion Churches until about 1876, was then called and served Shoal Creek, Holly Springs, Buleah and Jack’s Creek Churches until about 1890, when he was called to Campbellsburg, Kentucky, to serve Sulphur Fork, Mays Lick and Mount Pleasant Churches. In the spring of 1902 hewas called by Welsh Tract Church, Newark, Delaware, and served her until his demise. He was an ever faithful watchman on the walls of Zion, and the principles and doctrine of God our Savior were ever promulgated by him. He was blessed with a unique gift, doctrine and experience were so sweetly and originally blended that it seldom failed to reach some if not all, the hearers. Hymn 233 was one of his favorite poems, and expressed better his belief than he could have written it himself. He was a master of vocal music in his time, and his voice will be sadly missed in leading the singing by many of the churches and associations. It can be truly said that a great gift in the church militant has fallen, but our loss is his eternal gain. Eternity and space with him was awe, and of late he often dwelt upon Paul’s words: “Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” He firmly believed this by the faith of the Son of God if ever man did believe it on earth. He suffered much for forty-eight days and endured it patiently until the end, not one word of complaint did he utter, and a few hours before his death he repeated his Savior’s words: “My God, my god, why hast thou forsaken me?” but not in a spirit of complaint, for he seemed to look to him all of the time for support and endurance to the end.
The funeral service was conducted by the following brethren in the ministry: Elders Rowe, Ker, Vaughn, Lefferts, Ruston and Dodson, who spoke feelingly of him, and with the sad hearts in the congregation, keenly felt the passing of this dear brother and gift in the church. His favorite poem, “Death is only a dream,” was read by brother Rowe. It was befitting to such a character, and now he realizes it in fact. He was laid away in mother earth, there to await the change; his spirit has flown to rest with Jesus.
Much more could be said, but he would rather not have it that way if he could be questioned.
Written by request of the family.
J.B. Miller