Eulogy and Funeral Service

The passing away of William Edward Wells on March the fourtenth has shocked the whole community as it has not been shocked for many years. First because of the fact that he was just becoming into young manhood.

He was a model young man in that he united with the Church when about fifteen years old and took an active part in every good work in the Callands community. He was a leader of young men, having for his companion nearly every young man in the entire neighborhood.

He loved the asssociation of children also, like his Lord, he met and won them by his high regard for them. He listened to their little stories and retold them with great satisfaction.

He, unlike many boys of his age, loved and won his own brothers and sisters, passing much of this time amusing them with his rich wit.

His respect for his parents was remarkable, in that he always told them where he was going and consulted them about their business and pleasure.

He will be greatly missed in the activities of the Church, which he loved with such devotion, that when he saw death was inevitable, he reqested that his body be buried by the Church.

He will be missed by a host of friends who loved to do him honor.

He will be missed by a devoted family whose hearts are bleeding on account of his sad death.

His body was laid to rest on the 16th of March in a newly made grave at the Tabernacle Christain Church in the presence of a multitude of sympathizing friends.

The funeral services, which were beautiful and impressive, were conducted by Reverend W C Clark, his Pastor. Among the songs that were song was "Love Lifted Me". It was one of Willie's favorites.

The pall bearers were Thomas Clark, Clyde Reynolds, Willard Mitchell, Osbey Reynolds, Spain Rigney, Walter Adkins, Robert Reynolds, Willie Turner, Percy Parrish, Matthew Turner, John Payne and Clarence Kendrick.

The flower bearers were Misses Ellen Rigney, Mattie Sue Clark, Love Adkins, Elsie Amos, Vergie Mitchell, Mabel Jefferson, Louise Clark, Mary Lee Parrish, Doris Stegall, Dorothy Palmer, Dottie Slayton and Algie McDowell.

A short prayer was said and our dear friends pilgrimage from the cradle the grave was ended.

"I cannot make him dead. His fair sunshiny head is ever bounding round my study chair. Yet when my eyes grew dim with tears, I turn to him.

The vision vanishes - he is not there.

I walk my parlor floor. And thru the open door I hear footsteps on the chamber stair, I'm stepping to the hall to give the boy a call.

And then methink me - he is not there.

I know his face is hid under the coffin lid, closed are his eyes, cold is his forehead fair, my hand that marble felt. O'er it in prayer I knelt. Yet my heart whispers he is not there.

Not there! Where then is he?

The form I used to see.

Was the rainment he used to wear.

The grave that now doth press upon his cast off dress.

Is but wardrobe locked - he is not there.

He lives! In all the past he lives! Nor to the last of seeing him will I dispair.

In dreams I see him now. An on the angel brow I see it written thou shall see him there.

Yes, we are all alive in God! Father, thou chastening rod, help thine afflicted ones to bear. That in the Spirit land, standing at thy right hand, twill be our heaven to find - that he is there."

Reverend W C Clark
W K Atkins.

Eulogy courtesy of Jeane Barber.