Mrs. John W. Brown, whose home was a few miles northeast of Protection, died in St. Francis hospital in Wichita on last Friday morning, December 3, 1920, following an operation on the previous Monday for the removal of gall stones. Her health had been failing for some time, and a couple of weeks ago she went to Wichita for treatment. It was thought after the operation that there was good reason for expecting speedy recovery, but a turn for the worse came on Thursday and early Friday morning the news was received here that she was dead. The body was brought to this county on Saturday and burial was made in the Coldwater cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, following funeral services which were held in the M. E. church of this city, Rev. E. H. H. Tubbs, pastor of the Baptist church in Protection being in charge. Quite a number of the neighbors and friends from Protection and vicinity were present. Coldwater and the neighborhood northeast of town, where the family formerly lived, were also well represented.Rev. Tubbs paid a most beautiful tribute to the character of the deceased, referring to her as "one of the best wives and mothers, a genuinely christian woman and a much loved neighbor and citizen." He spoke of the love and devotion to her family, the unselfishness and the loving and willing service for others which Mrs. Brown always displayed.
Nellie Villers was born in Williamstown, W. Va., on February 25, 1877, and at the time of her death she was 43 years, 9 months and 8 days of age.
At the age of nine she came with her parents to Kansas, settling in Pawnee-co. She obtained a good education and for a time was a teacher in the Larned public schools. Her marriage to John W. Brown occurred on December 21, 1904. To this union two children were born - Helene, aged 11, and Glen, aged 8, both of whom, with the husband survive her. In early life, Mrs. Brown became a christian and united with the Baptist church. Her entire life was given to the work of the Master and to loving service for those about her. She was devoted to her family and was active in Sunday school and church work and in the public welfare work of the community. She demonstrated in many ways what is possible for noble, christian womanhood to accomplish for good in the world. In her passing away the entire community loses one of its best loved citizens and the husband and children a wife and mother whose highest aim was to help others and to brighten the pathway of all about her. In that purpose she measured up to the highest standard of womanhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown came to this county from Pawnee-co., about nine years ago, living on a farm northeast of Coldwater until about two years ago when they purchased a farm near Protection and moved thereto. Besides Mrs. Brown's husband and children, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Villers, also by three sisters - Mrs. Clyde W. Hunt, Mrs. A. C. Leonard and Miss Pearl Villers, all of Twin Falls, Idaho. A brother, Ted Villers, died two years ago. Mr. Hunt and Miss Pearl Villers were present at the funeral. To the sorrowing relatives the heartfelt sympathy of all goes out in this their hour of sad bereavement.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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