Keith, Mary Inez Riley

Passed: 1905-05-14

Age: 20

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice: 1905-05-14

Obituary Date:

Information: DEATH OF MRS. KEITH-A CHARMING AND POPULAR YOUNG LADY- Mrs. Mary Inez Keith, wife of Rev. B. M. Keith, and daughter of W. W. Riley and Laura Virginia Riley, died at the old homestead in Ripley, W. Va., on May 14, 1905.  She was reared under the kind and gentle influences of a christian home.  She was born June 29th, 1884.  She was converted at the tender age of 13 years and joined the M.E. church, South, under the pastorate of Rev. E. L. Fitch.  Her girlhood was sweet and happy, and she was given by her fond parents the needed and tender nurture for the growth and development of her talented and gifted soul.  Her mind was carefully cultivated under the tuition of St. Joseph's Academy of Greensburg, Pa., and Virginia College, of Roanoke, Va., having won high honors at St. Joseph's and was graduated in English at the Virginia College in 1903.     On her twentieth birthday the talented and happy girl was married to Benjamin Martin Keith, a bright and gifted young preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, who was also her pastor, to whom she was in their brief married life a continual inspiration and strong support.  She loved the church devotedly and sacred work of her beloved husband's high and noble calling, and was always ready to make any personal sacrifice to assist him in its preferment and advancement.  Bishop A. Coke Smith, at the fifty-first annual session of the Western Virginia Conference held at Fairmont, assigned her husband to the Fairmont station, where she took up the noble work and life of a minister's wife and soon by her tender sympathy and affectionate manner won the hearts and esteem of all whom she met.  She was a fully prepared and consecrated christian, and her child-like faith in the Lord was of that gentle and triumphant character that permitted no cloud of doubt to linger in her mind, hence she was ready and willing to go.  The only regret she ever expressed in regard to her going was the pain of parting from her dear little babe which the Lord gave her on Easter Sunday. She was only allowed to experience the sweet and tender love of motherhood but a few days.      The funeral services were held in Epworth church in the presence of a large and sympathizing congregation, and although sad and solemn, they were beautiful and sublime, conducted by Rev. W. I. Canter, of First M.E. church, South, of Ashland, Ky, who officated at her wedding less than one short year ago, assisted by Rev. M. C. Johnson, the Epworth pastor, and Rev. John Martin , an old dear friend of the family.  The church was beautifully draped--not with the usual dark and heavy drapery of woe, but with a delicate and appropriate drapery of white, enblematic of the purity of her young and stainless life, while the handsome white casket and the chancel were covered and surrounded with a profusion of beautiful flowers sent by fond and loving friends, many of which were wrought in elegant and elaborate designs, and it was admidst and under these exquisite floral tributes of blooming roses, lillies and carnations her precious and sacred remains were laid to rest in Pine Hill cemetery.  Just prior to the funeral services, the sweetly impressive, yet most sad and touching ceremony of baptizing her dear little babe was performed by Rev. W. I. Canter in the presence of the family and intimate friends.      Inez was a universal favorite, loved by all who knew her.  Her loving and affectionate disposition, her gentle and kindly interest in her relatives and friends made her the sunshineof every circle.  One of the sweetest and brightest traits of her beautiful character was her tender reverence and veneration for the old.  She loved to minister unto and comfort them.  She was always devoted to and considerate of the interest and welfare of her husband, parents, brothers and sisters, but her marked devotion to and love for her mother was exceedingly beautiful and touching, while she was fondly and tenderly loved by them all in return.  Inez has gone from home and friends to return no more forever.  She has gone from earth to the realms of immortality.  She has gone to that far away home of the soul.  May we all follow and meet her there when the Saviour calls for us.  In the busy harvest time of death, in this year 1905, there was gathered into eternity no sweeter spirit, no purer life, no fairer soul.    H. G. A.      GONE TO JOIN THE ANGELS - Baby Riley Keith, son of Rev. B. M. Keith, died Tuesday, after a painful earthly existence since Easter morning.  His remains will be placed today beside those of his lamented mother, who was laid to rest in the Pine Hill cemetery four months ago.