Belle S. (Tharp) Walker/Mears
Belle S. Tharp was born March 30, 1835, near Bucyrus, Ohio, died at her home in Argonia, Kansas, April 16, 1906, aged 71 years and 16 days. Deceased moved with her parents, John and Marjorie Tharp to Rensselear, Indiana in 1846 and from there to Leon, Iowa in 1853 where she grew to womanhood. After the death of her mother, she followed the millinery and dressmaking business until 1855 when she went to Wichita, Kansas, where on January 14, 1885, she was united in marriage to L.J. Walker of Argonia. On April 16, 1895, this union was severed by the death of the husband. After remaining a widow almost four years, on February 9, 1899, she was united in marriage to J.L. Mears, of Milon, with whom she resided until her death. She leaves a husband, one sister and four brothers to mourn her loss.
Deceased was baptized in the M.E. Church in her infancy and united with that church when a very young girl, remaining a faithful and consistent Christian through the remainder of her life. She was also an esteemed member of the Rebekah Lodge at Argonia, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Ladies Aid Society of the M.E. Church.
The funeral was held from the M.E. Church, Tuesday at 2 o'clock p.m. under the auspices of the Rebekah Lodge, the services being conducted by Reverend D.S. Pickett, Pastor of the Friends Church, who delivered a very impressive and appropriate sermon which sank deep into the hearts of all present and which was especially comforting and consoling to the bereaved ones. At the conclusion of the services, the remains were laid to rest in the Argonia Cemetery, the last sad rites being performed by the Rebekah's Lodge and a large concourse of sorrowing friends following them to that last resting place. The floral offerings were very beautiful in design and reflected the purity and gentleness of the life that had gone out from this world to shine with renewed brightness in that firmament beyond the skies.
The bereaved husband and relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their sad loss.
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Above is the obituary of my oldest sister, Belle S. Tharp. It is with a sad heart and eyes bedimmed with tears that I write. The deceased has left weeping on the shores of time, the following: William and J.B. Tharp, now of Denver, Colorado; Albert Tharp, of Grand Island, Nebraska, and the writer at Davis City, Iowa, four living brothers and one living sister, Matt S. Jordan, of Enid, Oklahoma. Our beloved father, John Tharp, is sleeping in his peaceful grave near Enid, Oklahoma, our mother buried at Leon, Iowa, one brother and sister died in Ohio while young and brother, O.C. Tharp died in his country's service in 1863 and is buried in a soldiers unknown grave near New Orleans, Louisiana, but resting beneath the dear old flag.
Joseph Tharp
Posted in Decatur County Journal-Iowa April 16, 1906