IPAVA — Rachel, daughter of Daniel and Phoebe Knock was born Dec. 24, 1843 near Ipava and died at her home south of Ipava, Friday, May 23, 1930, aged 87 years.
She was a most successful school teacher, commanding the highest salary then paid. At the age of 18 she joined the Presbyterian church. Later she embraced the Free Methodist church and remained a faithful member until death, forty-nine years later.
October 14, 1864, she was united in marriage to William T. Branson, who preceded her in death May 17, 1928. They moved to the home where she died and almost their entire life was spent on the same farm.
For over sixty years, William T. and Rachel Branson were permitted to walk together in holy matrimony and their’s was a truly happy hospitable home. To them were born six children, two daughters and one son are deceased. One daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Branson Bailey survives, also two sons, Lewis of Galesburg, and Walter of Ipava. There are eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Josephine Hoopes survives, also one brother, Bruce Knock of Kansas.
Since the death of the husband and father, two years ago the daughter, Mrs. E. B. Bailey of Lewistown, gave up her own home and moving here, cared for her mother until the end which came from a stroke of paralysis suffered one week ago.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from the F. M. church, Rev. Homer Tanner of Decatur, assisted by Rev. E. V. Towns, pastor of the church, Rev. Heuver of the Presybterian church and Rev. C. M. Turnbow, pastor of the F. M. church at Lewistown, officiating.
A quartette composed of Mrs. Chloe Strouse, Mrs. Irma Wood, Mrs. Etta Stoops and Miss Addie Porter softly sang “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With Me.”
Very touching was the personal tribute paid Mrs. Branson by her former pastor, Rev. Tanner who [film scratched, illegible] “They Shall See His Face.” Rev. E. V. Towns, her pastor spoke lovingly of the inspiration she had always been in the church and his own great loss in her death. The church was packed from annex to pulpit, the aisles were filled and many stood in the church yard. Many and beautiful were the floral offerings.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus