Great Grandma Sarah was a daughter of John C. Smith and Catherine Josephine Swezea Smith. She had several sisters.

Sarah married Alfred McCoy Link on November 25, 1888 and had 12 children (see names below). They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1938 and an article appeared in the 12-01-1938 edition of The Current Local, Van Buren, Carter Co., MO, on the front page (used with permission) and read:

AGED ELLSINORE COUPLE CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

"One hundred five of their friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Link on Friday, Nov. 25 to help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Link were married a half century ago by Rev. L. T. Carnahan, Baptist minister. The wedding took place at the home of the bride on Elm Branch where George Julian now lives. Mr. Link is 73 years of age and his wife is 68. Celebrating with them were their son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Link who were married 25 years ago on Nov. 26.

All of their other children were also present. They are Mrs. Wiley Smith and Mrs. Edward Leach of Ellsinore, Mrs. William Leach of Van Buren, Mrs. Jim Hines, Mrs. Bob Robinson and Mrs. Willie Morelan all of Heber Springs, Ark.

Twenty-eight of their 30 grandchildren were present and also all of their 10 great-grandchildren, also five guests of honor were there who helped to eat the original wedding supper 50 years ago. They were H. D. Condray of Van Buren, Joe Condray and Henry Tucker of Ellsinore, who at the time were aged 5, 8 and 17 respectively, also Mr. Link's brother, George Link, and one of his sisters, Mrs. Charity Payne of Doniphan.

A golden wedding cake decorated with 50 golden candles provided the centerpiece for the big table which was laden with all manner of good things to eat. Another feature of the dinner was the seamless linen table cloth 42 feet long. this will be cut in seven 6-foot lengths and one given to each of the seven children.

The oldest couple attending the golden wedding anniversary were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Boyer, age 87 and 88 respectively and we might add that they have already observed their 64th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Link regretted very much that some who were at his wedding supper 50 years ago could not be present this time, though they still live in this community. They were Mrs. Cordelia Condray, Mrs. W. P. Cates and Luke Carter.

Mr. Link remarked that it was a busy day for Rev. Carnahan on Nov. 25, 1888, as he also performed the wedding ceremony for Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Leach the same day. Mr. Leach died two years ago and his wife is at this time visiting relatives in Ohio, however their son, Shelby Leach, and his family were there last Friday. Rev. Carnahan died here in 1926." --Ellsinore Correspondent.

Aunt Annie says she remembers how tall "Grandpa Link" was and how much shorter "Grandma Link" was. She remembers with great affection how he would come in from work and bend down from his great height to give "Grandma" a kiss. Such precious family memories!!

An article about Great Grandma Sarah's illness was published in the 12-22-1938 edition of The Current Local on the front page (used with permission).

"Mrs. Ed Leach and Mrs. Wiley Smith were called to Heber Springs, Ark., Thursday, because of the serious illness of their mother, Mrs. A. M. Link. Mr. and Mrs. Link went to Heber Springs about three weeks ago to spend the winter at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Jim Hines."

A week later her obituary was published in the 12-29-1938 edition of The Current Local, Van Buren, MO, on the front page (used with permission).

MRS. A. M. LINK

"Age 68 died Thursday at a hospital in Heber Springs, Ark., the body being brought here Friday for burial at the Robertson cemetery near the Link home.

Mrs. Link was born and reared in Carter county. She was married to A. M. Link on Nov. 25, 1888, and is survived by her husband who is 73 years old and in very poor health at this time. Also six daughters, Mrs. William Leach of Van Buren, Mrs. Edward Leach, Mrs. William Morelan and Mrs. Wiley Smith all of Ellsinore, Mrs. Jim Hines and Mrs. Bob Robinson of Heber Springs, Ark., and one son Elbert also of Heber Springs.

All except Mrs. Hines were here Sunday to attend the funeral, which was conducted by Rev. Whitcanack at the Baptist church, Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Link had been a member of the General Baptist church for many years.

Pall bearers were Frank Loyd, Noah Morelan, Arthur Leach and Eugene Sutherlin."

Last year I was helping my cousin at Aunt Annie's house and surprise--we came across the 6 ft. pc. of linen that was given to our grandmother, Frona Mae Link Smith, by her parents, Alfred and Sarah, at their 50th wedding anniversary party! What a blessing to have this incredible piece of 1938 family history to cherish!!

A HUGE "Thank You" to Kris for creating this memorial originally!