The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away Blessed by the name of the Lord,

D/o Thomas Sanford & Safronia Prince Gathright

Obituary.
The messenger, Death, has invaded the family circle of our beloved Brother, Past Grand Master Gathright, and snatched a flower which had entwined itself around the hearts of all the family especially the father whose heart had been almost crashed with the weight of misfortunes recently endured. On Sunday night the third of October, little Katie Springer, the youngest child of T.S. and S.A. Gathright, aged a little over five years, said her nursery prayer and retired to rest. Waking up in the night, she said: "Mamma, I feel so funny,” the last words she spoke; and at 2 a.m. her little angel spirit winged its way to the bright abode of bliss –"Where Saints Immortal reign," and where it was embraced by the blessed Savior, who said: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Little Katie was the light of her household – angelic in form, with eyes beaming with affection and intelligence, and a voice like a bird. Well at bed time – taking a sweet sleep – awaking feeling so funny, and then falling asleep in Jesus! Mysterious Providence! Snatched away in the twinkling of an eye, as it were, from the embrace of earthly parents, and taken into the embrace of heavenly parents; and leaving a home. A subject of temptation and sorrow, and going to one of immortal joys, and forever freed from all "the ills which flesh is heir to," ought we to complain at this mysterious though sad, dispensation of Divine Providence? It is hard to part with such lovely cherubs, but it is meet that we should uncomplainingly submit, when God sends His messenger for them. Bereaved parents, the Christian's consolation is yours. You can go to the loved one, but she cannot return to you.
"Why do we mourn departing friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms."
J.M. Howry,
Oxford, Oct. 16, 1875.
Daily Clarion (Jackson, MS), 18 October 1875, page 2