daughter of William Robert Denny and Mary Steers

The following is from a 1912 newspaper item in the Bloomfield, IA Library Genealogy room obituary scrapbook:

Early Settler Dead

Wednesday afternoon, November 13, at 3:30 o'clock, Mrs, Sarah Ann Denny Lunsford, another one of Davis county's staunch christian women and a settler of early days, passed in the beyond at the advanced age of 92 years, singing and praising the Master, whose "rod and staff" had been a solace of comfort throughout her long life. Her days on earth were worth while in the rearing of a large family of children, eleven in all. Nine are living. Her oldest son James, was killed at the flour mill in Savannah about thirty-five years ago; another son, William, died two years ago, in Milton. Her husband, Alfred Lunsford, died 20 years ago. Mrs. Lunsford was a frail little woman in younger days, but grew strong as age advanced; and until about eight months ago. when she fell and broke her hip, she helped with the household duties at the home of her son, enjoying the services she was able to render. She planned her funeral service, requesting that Rev. J.A. Shepherd, of Bloomfield, officiate. He conducted the service Thursday afternoon at the home of her son. She was bourne to the grave in the Savannah Cemetery, in the spring wagon belonging to Mr. Leonard French, which carried her husband to his last resting place twenty years ago--another wish of the old lady carried out. The choir of the Church of Christ at Savannah, furnished music. The pall bearers were Chas Feagins, Mort Daniels, David Brunk, Cicero Palmer, Russell Palmer and Leonard French.
Sarah Ann Denny was born in Putnam County, Ind, July 31, 1820 and came to Davis County, Iowa, in the fall of 1853 and began housekeeping with her husband on the farm where her death occurred. She was united in marriage to Alfred Lunsford, Jan 1, 1836. The names of her children still living are: Sarah Ann Elizabeth Millsap, of Butler County, Kansas; Mariah Jane Brunk, Berkley, Calif.; Peter Lunsford, New Market, Iowa; Mrs Mary Joan Brunk, Bloomfield; Dr. I.N. Lunsford, Springfield, MO.; R.D. Lunsford, Savannah; Amanda Ellen Martindale, Broadwater, Neb.; Rachel Esther Kendall, Lehi, Utah; and Alfred Columbus Lunsford of Savannah. She also leaves a number of grand children and several great grandchildren. When she was about 15 years old, she joined the Baptist Church in Indiana, and in later years became a member of the Church of Christ at Savannah when Rev. Samuel Downing was pastor, and where she was a devout member and attended whenever she was able up to the time of her death. She was a grand woman and her memory will long remain in the minds of those who knew her kind deeds of charity.

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