BEDFORD WEEKLY MAIL BEDFORD, INDIANA FRIDAY, OCT. 12, 1900 Mrs. Phoeba Sears died at her home near Fayetteville Friday at 12:00 o'clock. She was 79 years of age and was the mother of Emanuel Sears, of this city. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. John Williams at Old Union. ******* FAYETTEVILLE Died, at her home near here, October 5th, Mrs. Phoebe Sears, aged 80 years. ************* FRIDAY, OCT. 19, 1900 Gone To Rest. Pheba Cox Sears departed life at the home of Mrs. John McCain, near Fayetteville, Oct. 5, 1900. She lacked a few days of being 79 years old. Failing health and old age were the cause of her death. Pheba was a daughter of William and Jane Cox, who emigrated to Lawrence county from North Carolina among the first settlers of the county. She was raised on the farm. Skilled in the arts of industry and economy, insured to the hardships of a pioneer life, she, like all our blessed grandmothers, was indeed a true helpmate, never eating the bread of idleness. On Oct. 5, 1835, at the age of 15 years she was married to William Sears. To them were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, four of whom are living, Emanuel and John M. Sears, of Bedford, and Mrs. John McCain and Mrs. John Rainey, of near Fayetteville. For 43 years Mrs. Sears had lived a widow, her husband having died in 1857. Since the death of her husband she had lived with her children. How blessed it is to have mother in our homes. Mrs. Sears united with the Christian church at Port Williams while she was yet in her teens. A few years later she became a member of the Old Union congregation, where she remained till the day of her death. Mrs. Sears was highly esteemed for the excellence of her Christian character. Her first desire was to bless her family, her neighbors and the church. It was never too cold for her to respond to a call of help. Her faith was more than a hope; it was a sublime realization of the Master's presence in this life as a comforter and a guide. From Proverbs 31: 19, 26, we see the same traits of character in our departed: "She layeth out her hands to the spindle; She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; She is not afraid of the snow for her household; Her husband is known at the gates; Her children rise up and call her blessed." But she rests from her labors, and her works do follow her. Born in 1821 she was an eyewitness to the development of this country from an unbroken forest to the beautiful farms and homes of today. She contributed a faithful life to the church she loved. A mother's untiring devotion to her family and a Christian example to her neighbors. And "She is not dead, but sleepeth." The funeral service was held at Old Union, conducted by Rev. John Williams. Her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Old Union. J. W.