This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Merrick, Renfro Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/CKB.2ACE/1567 Message Board Post: >From Lawrence Chieftain; Thursday, 10 Dec 1931; published Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Co, Mo; reprinted from Greenfield Vedette: Two Aged Sisters Pass Away Same Day Misses Sylvia and Bell Merrick, aged 90 and 86 respectively, died at their home near South Greenfield on Friday, Nov. 27, Bell passing away in the morning and Sylvia a few hours later. The sisters, neither of whom had ever married, came to Dade county from Tennessee with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Merrick, in 1851, and had resided continuously since that time on the farm homesteaded by their father, and where they died. For many years they conducted all the business of the farm, but some time ago this work was taken over by their grand-nephew, Perry Renfro, who had been brought up in their home. “Aunt Sibby and Aunt Belle” as they were lovingly known by a very large circle of friends, were very popular members of their home community, being good neighbors and always interested in the welfare of their friends; and they will be missed and mourned by many. Miss Writta Bell Merrick was born April 17, 1845 and passed away Nov 27, 1931 at 3:40 a.m. age 86 years, 7 months and 10 days old. Miss Sibby Wells Merrick was born Dec 24, 1840, and passed away Nov 27, 1931 at 2:20 p.m., aged 90 years, 11 months and 3 days old. Both were the daughters of James and Irene Merrick and came with their parents from Tennessee in 1851, settling on the farm northwest of Pennsboro where they spent the remainder of their lives, and passed on to their reward from the same home. Their bodies were placed in a double grave on the farm in the Merrick cemetery. “Aunt Sibby” was converted at 15 years of age through the influence of Bro. Joseph Davidson a M. E. minister. Later when her parents and “Aunt Bell” were converted she with them, united with the Christian church at Antioch, both lived good Christian lives and died with their faith in Christ. “Aunt Bell” fell eight years ago, breaking her hip, and was a cripple the remainder of her life. She was sick two weeks and Aunt Sibby eight weeks, both patient in all their suffering. Aunt Bell prayed not to be left here when her sister passed on. She died 10 hours before her sister. They took Perry C. Renfro, son of Clay Renfro, into their home at the age of three years, loved, cherished and cared for him as their own while he loved and cared for them as a son. These are the last of a large family. Funeral services were held at their home on Sunday at 2 p.m., attended by a large gathering of nephews, nieces, old neighbors and friends. -- Mrs. S. M. Crank in Greenfield Vedette.