One by one the pioneer mothers who fought so bravely during the transition years when this county was being converted from a wilderness into a fit place to live are passing away. A recent one is Grandma Mrs. J. W. Smith, who died last Wednesday, June 7, at the home of her son, Buddy Smith of the China Community.
Funeral services and burial were at the China cemetery Thursday afternoon, Rev E. E. Thomson conducting the services.
Deceased was born in the state of Illinois, March 20, 1848, and was thus past her 85th birthday, With the family she came to San Saba county way back in 1857, just after the county was organized and while the Indians still roamed over this part of Texas. She was a sister of Berry Ketchum, well known ranch man of this county and later of the San Angelo section. On May 16, 1867, she was married to Jno W. Smith, also a frontiersman and rancher of this county. 12 children were born,six of whom survive and are: Mrs. Rila Roberds of Algerita, Lee Smith of Locker, Buddy Smith of the China Community, Green Smith and Mrs Chaney of Bowie, Arizona, and Mrs Frank Ellis of Marietta, Okla. There are also 30 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Bige Duncan of Knickerbocker, Texas.
She was a member of the M.E. church, South, for the past 45 years and was one of those sturdy pioneer mothers who lived her religion in every day life. She was devoted to her home and family and was a generous and charitable neighbor and a true friend. During her active life, and especially in the early days, no cowboy ever passed her way hungry, tired, lonesome and blue that he didn't find an open welcome, plenty to eat and the kind, tender sympathy of a great mother heart. And when she reached the "great white throne" it was hers to hear the welcome plaudit "well done"thou faithful one, enter into the joys of thy reward".
Pall bearers were all grandsons; Buck Roberds, Ervin Roberds,Pete Roberds, Eddie Roberds, Archie Tomlinson,
Millard Smith.
Honorary pall bearers were named as W.M. Elmore, W.H. Hinyard, E. E. Fagg,W. A.Smith, M.N. Dalton, H.H. Taylor, M. H. Perry, Frank Thomas, R.W. Burleson, T.A. Murray,G.N. McDaniel, J.E. Rainey, G. W. Isham, Arthur Carter, J. D.
Walker, J. A. Gaddy, B. D. Sullivan, J.W. Carroll, W.R. Harris and Taylor Harkey.
Out-of-town relatives attending the funeral included Mrs. Bige Duncan, of Knickerbocker, Mrs. Berry Ketchum,,Mrs. C.A. Bowen and children, Gloriadel, Don and Phyllis of Sterling City, Millard Smith of Water Valley, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ellis of Marietta, Okla., Mrs. Doc Jones of Knickerbocker.