Woods, Anna (Stephens)

Posted By: William Courtney
Date: 30 January 2006

Two Obituaries

Obituary #1

Source – Greenville Democrat – September 18, 1918 – pg. 1

Death Takes Woman Near Century Mark

Mrs. Anna Woods, among the oldest of Darke County residents, who had been bed-ridden for more than a year, died at 11 o’clock last Saturday evening in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jacob Turner, 429 East Third Street, death being due to infirmities of old age.

Mrs. Woods was born in Liberty Twp. On July 21, 1822, and had been a life-long resident of the county. She was 96 years, one month and 23 days old at the time of her death. The deceased was a resident of Palestine, but several months ago was brought to the home of her daughter, who tenderly cared for her during the last few months of her life. She was a daughter of David Stephens, a pioneer settler of Darke county, and the mother of thirteen children. Her brother Jos. Stephens, residing in this city, survives her.

Funeral Services will be held at Palestine today (Wednesday), conducted by Rev. Sleusses, and burial made in the village cemetery, besides the remains of her husband, who preceded her in death several years.

Obituary #2

Source – Greenville Democrat – September 25, 1918

Obituary – Woods

Anna Stephens was born near Palestine, O., July 2, 1822, and passed to the higher life Sept. 14, 1918. She was united in marriage to Jesse Woods in the year 1843, who passed the Spirit Life in 1896. o this union was born 13 children, 21 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. One son and five daughters survive. She was the daughter of David and Lydia Stevens and was the elder of ten children, of who none survive, except John Stephens, whose home is in Warren, Ind., and who is 83 years old and was present at the funeral.

She joined the Reformed church at St. John’s in 1871, under pastorate of Rev. John Stuck, to which she remained a faithful and conscientious member until the last. The deceased was well and favorably known, having spent all her life near the place of her birth, never living at a distance greater than two miles from Palestine. She was industrious, courageous and devoted much of her time to the comfort and happiness of those about her. She was a devoted companion, and a never-tiring mother. The community will miss her congeniality, and the friends will miss her pleasant counsel. Thus for 96 years she lived, enjoyed, suffered and patiently awaited the voice from amidst the stars to whisper “Come up higher.”

Dearest mother, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But ‘tis God who hath bereft us.
He can all our sorrows heal.

The funeral services over the remains were held in the church at Palestine in the presence of a large congregation of relatives and friends on September 18th, 1918. The officiating minister was Rev. Albert S. Glessner, who preached from the text of her own selection found in James, 4th chapter and 14th verse. Interment in the family lot in Palestine.

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