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Baxley, Appling County, GA
Thursday, 20 Jun 1929
Obituary transcribed by Sharon Davis
On the afternoon of the thirteenth inst., the Ten Mile Community assembled at the little church for the purpose of paying their last tribute to Mrs. Kiziah Blitch Youmans, who passed quietly away at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. Calvin Head in Alma Ga., at midnight of June 12th.
Mrs. Youmans was born in Effingham County, Ga., Feb. 17, 1849. Later moved with her parents to Wayne County. She was the daughter of Rev. Benjamin Blitch who married Harriet Wilson a great grand-daughter of James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence of Pennsylvania.* Her father was a pioneer Baptist minister, served our churches long and faithfully, and was the first home missionary in the Piedmont Association, part of which is now Consolation Association. She came to Appling County in the early fifties, was married to Mr. Charles Levi Youmans March 24, 1875 at the home of Mr. Paul Carter, Sr., Rev. James McCall performing the ceremony. At this wedding the bridesmaids were: Miss Isabell Kennedy, now Mrs. D. R. Carter and Miss Emma Blitch, later Mrs. Robert Wolfe. The groomsmen were Dr. D. R. Carter and Mr. J. E. Youmans, Sr. After their marriage they settled on the farm and built up the home where they lived for more than half a century. Each worked faithfully together, met life's joys and sorrows as they came to them, and did their part towards the upbuilding of the church and community.
Four sons and five daughters were reared to maturity, and three motherless granddaughters by this woman.
Well might be said of Mrs Youmans: "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
The children who survive her are: R. E. Youmans of Webster, Fla, E. J. Youmans, Baxley, Ga., Mrs. Ira Moody, Baxley, Ga., Mrs. Charles Moody, Chunchula, Ala., B. H. Youmans, Florence, S.C., Mrs. Bryant Yawn, Graham, Ga., Mrs. Calvin Head, Alma, Ga.
Two brothers also survive her: Rev. Wm. W. and Obadiah Blitch of West Tampa, Fla.
Preceding her to the grave were her husband who died Oct. 11, 1928, one daughter, Mrs. Morgan Summerall, and a son, Samuel J. Youmans.
Rev. George Moody, a former pastor of Ten Mile conducted the service reading from the fourth chapter of Hebrews, a favorite of the deceased. Appropriate vocal selections were rendered by the Turner sisters.
Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Ulmer Undertaking Company of Waycross.
The pallbearers were L. H. Hiers, C. A. Holland, A. J. Person, D. L. Hatten, C. W. Randel and C. L. Winge.
Those attending the funeral from a distance were: Mrs. Clyde Robinson of Savannah, a granddaughter, Mrs. Clyde Robinson, Mrs. O. K. Robinson and Mrs. Lloyd Denmark also of Savannah; Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Youmans of Florence, So. Car., Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Strickland of Jesup, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Head, Mrs. John Lewis, Mrs. D. L. Lee of Alma.
*Her grandfather was not the James Wilson who signed the Declaration of Independence.