The sad news was received here last week of the death of Mrs. L. E. Fletcher of LaJunta, Colo. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. McKinney of this city, and had visited here a number of times. All who knew her esteemed her highly and the news of her death brings to many hearts a keen sense of sorrow. Mrs. O. J. Mark of this city, a sister of the deceased, was present at the funeral, returning home on Thursday of last week. We reprint from the LaJunta Tribune of December 16 the following account of Mrs. Fletcher's sickness and death."Word was received here Thursday from Pueblo, that Mrs. L. E. Fletcher, wife of the superintendent of the Santa Fe shops here, had passed away at Minnequa Hospital, following an operation. She had been suffering for about six weeks previous to the operation, but the end was rather sudden, and was a great shock to the family and friends. The remains were forwarded to Croan's Funeral Home Friday evening, and prepared for the funeral which was held the next day.
Miss Evelyn McKinney was born at Paxton, Ind., on October 28, 1874; died December 8, 1921 at the Minnequa Hospital, Pueblo, following an operation at the age of 47 years, three months and ten days. Most of her girlhood days were spent in Kansas, and later spent about eight years as a teacher in the public schools. She was always a great lover of children and taught her class of children in Sunday school as long as her health permitted.
December 10, 1904, she was united in marriage to Louis E. Fletcher at Albuquerque, N. M. In May 1918, the family removed to Raton, N. M. and in June 1919, they removed to LaJunta, where they have resided since.
Mrs. Fletcher united with the church of her choice in early life and was always a faithful and consistent member. The funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church Friday afternoon, the funeral sermon being delivered by Rev. E. A. Allen. A quartet composed of Mrs. W. S. Morrison, Miss Verna Kelsey, E. T. Oberling and S. H. Millikan, rendered several selections, with Mrs. E. G. Woodbridge at the pipe organ. A great number of beautiful floral offerings testified to the esteem in which Mrs. Fletcher had been held.
She is survived by her husband and sixteen year old daughter, Vivian, her father and mother, three sisters and three brothers. Only one member of the family of brothers and sisters, Mrs. O. J. Mark, was able to be present to attend the funeral.
The surviving relatives are the father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. McKinney; the brothers and sisters, Mrs. O. J. Mark, W. A. McKinney, W. B. McKinney and F. A. McKinney, Jr. all of Coldwater, Kansas; Mrs. J. E. Padgett, of Geary, Okla., Mrs. Claude Cozad of Attica, Kans.
After the funeral here, the body was forwarded to Albuquerque, N. M., and funeral services held there, the services being in charge of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which the deceased was a member. She was also a member of the Women's Benefit Association of the MacCabees.
Mrs. Fletcher was known for her many deeds of kindness to others, especially in cases of sickness or affliction, and there are many besides the members of her immediate family who feel her loss.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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