Mrs. J. B. Bell passed to her eternal reward, on Dec. 19th, after more than seventy eight years of happiness and usefulness. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, Dec. 20th, from her late residence on N. 19th Street, the services being conducted by her beloved pastor, Rev. W. C. Williamson when the earthly remains were then laid to rest in Clarinda cemetery.
Mrs. Bell was one of the W. C. T. U. women who were so active in prosecuting the temperance work in Clarinda and she is said to be one of the first of the ladies of that organization to be taken away. Apparently the Lord has protected these good women until the principles they stood for could be written into the statute books of the state and nation.
Hattie A. Lowrance was born near Virginia, Cass County, Illinois, on May 27th, 1841. She was married Aug. 27th, 1871 to Jos. B. Bell. The couple have journeyed over fifty-two years of life's pathway together, and the husband is still living, as are two children, Miss Myrtle Bell, who continues to be the home keeper, and Mrs. E. B. Akey, who has been at home to give comfort to her mother in her declining days.
"Just going home" were the words of the good mother, who in her last hours urged loved ones not to pray that she might live, as she was willing to depart and be at rest where they could soon join her. Hers was a most exemplary life, ever so unselfishly thinking of and trying to be a help to others, in her own sweet, quiet way. The home, chruch and community will miss one who has ever been reaching out in thought and deed to relieve the suffering of humanity, especially in the temperance work, and more recently in the New World Movement.
In the early days she united with the Presbyterian Church, and after her marriage joined the United Presbyterian Church, remaining a faithful attendant while physical strength permitted. Her Bible was her constant guide through life. For her to live was Christ, and thus to die is her eternal gain. CLARINDA HERALD, Clarinda, Iowa, Dec 25, 1919
Mrs. Joseph B. Bell passed away at her home in this city, Dec. 19, 1919. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2:30, by Dr. W. C. Williamson. Interment was in Clarinda cemetery. The obituary of Mrs. Bell given The Journal is as follows: Hattie A. Lowrance was born near Virginia, Cass county, Ill., May 27, 1841, and passed from this earth Dec. 9, 1919, being at the time of her death 8 years and 7 months of age. She was married on Aug. 27, 1867, to Joseph B. Bell, and they have journeyed over fifty-two years of life's path together. Five children were born to this union, three of which the Heavenly Father gathered to himself in infancy. The husband and two daughters, Miss Myrtle, and Mrs. E. B. Akey, remain to cherish fond loving thoughts of this loved one. Another sheaf has ripened and been garnered to the Heavenly Mansion to receive the rich reward to be given the righteous. In her own words she was "just going home," and in her last hours of intense suffering urged the loved ones not to pray that she live, desiring rather to depart and be at rest where they could so soon come. Her's was a most exemplary life—ever so unselfishly thinking of and trying to do for and help others in her quiet way. A kind and loving wife, mother and friend will be missed in the home, church and community. She had continually on her mind and heart suffering humanity and was constantly reaching out in thought and deed to relieve distress and was so greatly interested in the cause of temperance and the new world movement. In Presbyterian church, and after her marriage, with the United Presbyterian church, and remained faithful, and until failing health was a regular attendant. Her greatest grief was to miss preaching service and Sabbath school. Her Bible was her constant guide. "For her to live was Christ, to die was gain." CLARINDA JOURNAL, Clarinda, Iowa, Dec 25, 1919