Daughter of Urban Van Stewart and Ellen Adams

Married Walter Ernest Hanks, 15 Apr 1887, Logan, Cache, Utah

Children - Ellen Josephine Hanks; Walter Benjamin Hanks; Thisbe Alicia Hanks; Ephraim Knowlton Hanks; Edna Mary Hanks; Urban Van Hanks; Verd Arthur Hanks; Retta Arthella Hanks

History - Mary Ellen Stewart was born July 20, 1867, at Beaver, Utah. The first child of Urban Van Stewart and Ellen Adams Stewart. She was a sickly child. At nine months the old family doctor told the neighbors on leaving the Stewart home that the baby would be as dead as a door nail by morning. That night a little elderly woman came to her mother in a dream and said, "Your baby is not going to die. She has a great mission to perform. She will get well and live to womanhood." Next morning Ellen described the woman of the dream to her husband, Urban Van. He said, "You have given a perfect description of your own mother who died when you were one year old." From that night forward Mary Ellen grew stronger and healthier.

Later in years when Mary E. Hanks did the work for Agnes Simpson Cook, her grandmother, in the Arizona Temple, she felt her companionship all through the performance. It was a happy day for both of them.

In Mary Ellen's prayer was the moving power that laid all things at her feet. Whenever she lost a marble, a toy or anything, she went to the Lord with her problem and invariably it was solved until she thought that everything was to be had for the asking. This humble companionship was to last throughout her lifetime.

From her diary: "I have always been thankful that Eliza R. Snow and Zina B. Young came to Adamsville when I was ten years old to organize the Primary. They told us a beautiful story of how we loved and chose our companions in the spirit world and how children chose their parents and lineage before the world was. They pointed out how easy it was to get married to the wrong companion because now we remember nothing of our existence before we came here. They advised us to pray that very night for the Lord to guide our affections to the right person, that he would do so and then there would not be any unhappy marriages. I believed all they told us. To me it was one more beautiful truth revealed from the Lord. I kneeled that very night and thanked the Lord for the wonderful way he had arranged our lives. Every night after that I prayed to be directed to the man I had promised to marry. Whenever I would meet a young man that appealed to me, I would ask the Lord if he were the right one, if not to cause my interest in him to diminish so that I would not make a mistake. The Lord never failed me, nor would he anyone who believes and trusts in him.

Mary Ellen's folks moved to Teasdale in Wayne County. Here Mary Ellen met Walter E. Hanks for the first time at stake conference held at Fish Lake. It was love at first sight. April 15, 1887, they were married in the Logan Temple. Three days later Walter left for a mission in the Northern States. Mary Ellen, who had planned on going to BYU to school, changed her plans and taught school at Teasdale, earning $60.00 for a ten week term. She kept out ten dollars for tithing and a few incidentals and sent $50.00 to her husband for his support.

When summer came she went down to Pleasant Creek to visit her husband's folks. Quote from her diary: "The trip proved quite eventful. One day as Georgina and myself were in the orchard picking fruit Grandfather Hanks came and asked us to go to the house to wash and anoint Mother Hanks, who was very ill. Neither of us had ever experienced such action before, and we were both very frightened. We prayed earnestly to be guided aright. The Lord heard our prayers and Grandmother was healed.

Later Ephraim K. had to make a trip to Blue Valley to get Sister Foy to come up and take care of his wife in childbirth. Mary Ellen accompanied him on the trip. As they neared Caineville, E. K. turned to Mary Ellen and said, "The Dalton family are having a lot of trouble. Isabel has been under a doctor's care at Fish Lake, but the doctor sent her home to die. Mary Ellen, I want you to wash and anoint her, and she will get well." As E. K. told of this family, Mary Ellen had been thinking the same thing, that sister Dalton should be washed and anointed but dared not say anything for fear that she would be asked to do it. She said, "Why don't you get Sister Foy or some other good woman to do it." E. K. was firm, "No, you must do it yourself." They stopped to see the Dalton's on their way to Blue Valley and found Sister Dalton very sick. E. K. asked John if he wanted his wife to get well. John said that he did. Then he asked Sister Dalton if she wanted to get well. She said "Yes." "Tomorrow as we return from Blue Valley, Mary Ellen will wash and anoint you, and you will be made well."

Mary Ellen said she slept little that night. She prayed much that night to be guided aright by the Holy Spirit and asked that the Lord's will be done. Mary Ellen had felt a strong spirit of opposition in the Dalton home and prayed that I might be removed. The next morning when they arrived at the home she felt it again. She requested that she be allowed to pray before washing and anointing. Again she prayed for the removal of the veil spirit as she prayed she said, "I could feel the evil influence start to leave the bed and inch toward the door." In the anointing I promised Sister Dalton three times that she would recover and complete her mission of earth. When I realized what I had promised this very sick lady I was so frightened I nearly choked until Grandfather Hanks sealed the anointing and promised her health and life. Then I knew it was alright." Isabel Dalton was healed and lived many years in normal activity.

Here worked a team, a woman with faith strong enough to move mountains, a man clothed in the robes of the holy priesthood with faith to match a mountain and with a special gift of healing. They walked with the Lord in such a way that they had a claim upon his healing power. Few people have gone through the countryside healing and blessing the sick as these two did in their lifetime. Numerous are the stories that come from all who knew and felt their lovable presence. Together they were unbeatable. Alone, each was powerful in the good accomplished.

Later when Walter and Mary Ellen lived in Caineville, they were the first sent for in trouble and sickness. They were indeed ministering angels to all who needed assistance. No service was too small and none too large. When diphtheria struck in Caineville, Mary Ellen did not sleep or go to bed for two weeks straight. She furnished most of the sheets and tablecloths to line or cover the homemade caskets of seven children taken in this plague.

Mary Ellen worked shoulder to shoulder with her husband in all things. She mothered eight children and carried on all other responsibilities placed before her, all without complaining.

Shortly after the death of her husband, Walter, Mary Ellen wrote in her diary, "This was a great sorrow to me as we were so heavily in debt. The nights seem like hideous nightmares. I felt like a ship without an anchor." All the property in Bicknell was sold and turned toward existing debts. Mary Ellen moved in with Mother Stewart, who was in her late 80's, and enjoyed so much being a help to her mother in her declining years. After her passing, Mary Ellen lived for a short time with her children. Then she spent a year or so working in the Arizona Temple.

Arrangements were then made, with the help of her children, to buy a home located on the temple grounds at Manti. She was in her glory working in the temple of the Lord, serving out her remaining years as an ordinance worker, mainly in the baptismal rooms.

At the death of her mother, Ellen Stewart, the estate was divided, and Mary Ellen's share was enough to clear off her existing debts. It was a glorious feeling to be free from this dark cloud of bondage. t had taken her to the age of seventy five before this freedom was won.

On her seventy seventh birthday, three of her children, Nellie, Tissy, and Urban came to the temple to celebrate with her. That day they sealed 55 couples, 116 children to parents, and completed 5 endowments. This left only a few more names available to complete. The following day they were completed. They ate lunch together at the temple. That evening they were all together for dinner in Mary Ellen's home. After the meal was over they looked at a collection of pictures, and to each of the children she gave pictures which they wished for. She then distributed some of her canned fruit to each as though the future was not too certain. It had been a perfect day and none rejoiced more than Mary Ellen, her debts were all settled, the temple work all caught up, and a peaceful contentment swept over her.

There was one more assignment. Her youngest son, Verd, had been very sick in Arizona. She wanted to see him. Now was the perfect time to make the trip. She bought her ticket, got on the bus, and the bus was soon rolling toward the south. She felt fine upon arrival and enjoyed three wonderful days with Verd and family.

Verd was out of the hospital and met her at the station. On Wednesday evening she made known that her stomach was little upset. At 9:30 p.m. she lost her balance and fell from a chair to the floor. Verd helped her to bed and the doctor from across the street was soon at her bedside. She asked to be administered to and felt much better. Her breathing was labored, and the doctor suggested the hospital and oxygen tent. The ambulance arrived. Verd sat by her as they drove up the hill from Clarksdale to Jerome Hospital. Before the hospital was reached the ambulance stalled as though by an unseen hand. Mary Ellen smiled at Verd and then relaxed in his arms, as she was borne heavenward by her husband and loved ones, "Mission accomplished."

It had been said that if Mary Ellen was to depart this world it would have to be before she got her "faith" in action. Thus it was. At the funeral in Teasdale the speakers paid her much honor. They were sincere in their remarks for much honor was due this angel of mercy. She was laid to rest between her husband and eldest son. They had worked side by side in the great struggle of life and now they rest side by side until the resurrection comes to restore all things.

"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning at the bar,
When I put out to sea."

Source: History written by son, Ephraim Knowlton Hanks (E. Kay)