Obituary. Josephine Johnson was born near DeSoto, Kansas, February 17th, 1868, and departed this life at the family home in DeSoto on Monday April 3rd, 1916, aged 48 years, 1 month and 16 days. On December 23rd, 1888, she was united in marriage with Philo Davison at this place. To them were born ten children, five of whom passed on before in infancy. Joe, Florence, Leslie, Johnnie and Altha, all of whom are at the home, with the husband, are left to mourn the loss of a most loving and devoted wife and mother. Six brothers and four sisters also survive her, besides a host of other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Davison's last illness began Saturday, March 25th. All the care and love that physicians and an anxious household could devise and apply for her comfort and assistance were brought into play but the fate of Him who rules our incomings and outgoings had been issued and after a brief struggle, despite the prayers and entreaties of all who knew and loved her, their appeals were over-ruled and at noon on day above mentioned the sufferer's spirit took its flight to that home that the Christian believes is the fulfillment of life everlasting.
Although she never united with any church she lived in the Methodist faith and died believing that if it was the will of God she had no fear. She ran the journey of her life in forty-eight years. It is a path marked with deeds of kindness and cheer. Flowers not thorns, sunshine not shadow, did she scatter everywhere. Truth was the inspiration of her life and by kindness she exemplified its great worth. Through the gloom cast by her taking away there comes back a bright beam of sunshine which turns our tears to jewels of promise. Through the mists which gather we hear the tumult and the roar as of Niagara, but her God has set the bow of his promise. He leaves us not alone in the presence of the unknown. For the Sabbaths of earth she now enjoys the never ending Sabbath of heaven. She waits your coming and watches near the pearly gate. And remember that the day is not far off when the love of Christ shall bid thee enter in and to share with her unending, unalloyed joy.
The last services were held at the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Wednesday, April 5th, the pastor Rev. B.W. Hugg officiating and speaking comforting words from the passage found in Revelation 7:17: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes". The flowers were many and beautiful, and bore mute testimony to the love and respect of many friends. At the close of the services the remains were tenderly laid away in our silent city to await the resurrection day. "We shall sleep, but not forever; There will be a glorious dawn; We shall meet to part, no never On the resurrection morn."
From: The DeSoto News. April 13, 1916. DeSoto, KS