The Sesser Review, Thursday, Feb. 26, 1942 “Obituary. The long and useful life of Mrs. Mary Louisa CRAIN ended at Sesser, Ill. 8:45 A.M. February 17, 1942. Mrs. CRAIN had been in greatly impaired health sometime and of late her condition had been such that death was not unexpected. Mary Louisa HARTLEY, eldest daughter of Joseph M. and Rebecca Armstrong HARTLEY, was born January 19, 1857 near Waltonville, Jefferson Co. Ill. She was married to Eli W. PAGE, March 9, 1871 and to this union were born the following named children: Mrs. Rella HENLEY, Sesser, Ill., Mrs. August WESTPHAL, of Manson, Iowa, Rev. Andy PAGE, Portland, Oregon; Charles PAGE who met with an accidental death in Washington, and Mrs. Frank YOUNG now deceased of Williamsville, Mo., one son, Samuel Marion, died in infancy, and Albert A. PAGE, died at the age of 3 years. Mr. PAGE died in 1887, leaving her with the care of five children and all have been safely reared to years of maturity. She took as careful note of their needs and the children prove the excellence of one of the best mothers who ever blessed the world, and society. Like the mothers in Bible times “Her children shall rise up and call her blessed”. She was married to Francis M. CRAIN, March 27, 1891, and to this union four sons were born; Johnny who died at the age of seven years, Earl who was killed in action in France and whose body now rests on foreign soil beside his comrades who gave up their lives for the preservation of these United States; Clyde, of Sesser, Illinois, was a World veteran and Orville CRAIN, of Sesser. Not every mother has the distinction of having 3 sons who enlisted in the service of their country, her son Rev. Andy PAGE served three years in standing army in time of peace. Mr. CRAIN died August 8, 1932. Mrs. CRAIN joined the Horse Prairie Baptist Church in 1888 under the pastorate of Rev. J.D. HOOKER and remained a loyal member until 1918 when she moved to Waltonville. She united with the Universalist under the Pastorate of Rev. E. M. MINOR, of Hustonville, Illinois and from the first was a devoted consecrated Christian. Her interest in the church never waned and throughout the years of her health and strength she was one of the Church’s most faithful workers. Her loyalty to the church, its tenets and all that membership implied, was a striking trait of a remarkable character;; and it was often remarked by those acquainted with her efforts to promote its general interests. She leaves surviving her two daughters, Mrs. Rella HENLEY, Mrs. August WESTPHAL, three sons, Clyde and Orville CRAIN and Andy PAGE, also one step-son W. R. CRAIN, of West Frankfort; fifteen grand-children and twenty great-grandchildren, and also one great-great- grandchild. She lived to see her fifth generation. She also leaves to mourn her demise an aged brother John G. HARTLEY, of Waltonville, Ill., and Mrs. S. M. McGINNIS of North Hollywood, California, and a host of nieces and nephews who will greatly miss “Aunt Louisa” as she was so familiarly called by them. Two brothers having preceded her in death, Wm. H. and Fames *(James?) E. HARTLEY. The question of the World’s greatest woman can be answered by many a man and many a woman. A good mother is the answer; and who knew most of Mrs. CRAIN’s life, love and sacrifice for her children can attest that a better mother never lived; a better mother never will live. Her death comes not only as a great loss to her own immediate family but to the hundreds of friends of middle age who knew and loved her best. Her life will prove an inspiration to her children and her friends will cherish her memory. Only pleasant recollections will stir their hearts while tears dim their eyes, and they dwell in loving remembrance, on the happy associations of years ended by death. “Another hand is beckoning us, Another call is given; And glows once more with angel steps, The path which leads to heaven.” “Our dear and aged mother, Whose smile made brighter summer hours, Amid the frosts of winter time, Has left us with the flower, Fold her O’ Father in thine arms, And let her henceforth be, A message of love between Our human hearts and Thee.” Funeral services conducted by her former pastor Rev. Wm. D. HARRINGTON, of Metropolis, Ill., at Universalist church in Waltonville with interment at the Trinity Baptist cemetery, near Winfield.” ****Source: Printed in the Goode-Barren Hist. Gen. Soc. Newsletter, Jan. 1996 issue. Pat Corona