Obituary of Deborah Spence Baldridge Johnson, sister of my 3-g-grandfather, James Baldridge. James' daughter, Mary Jane Baldridge (my 2-g-grandmother), married William Osborn; and Deborah Baldridge Johnson's son, William Baldridge Johnson, married William Osborn's sister, Mary Ann Osborn. Both Mary Ann Osborn and her niece, my g-grandmother, Ella Osborn Dawkins, were said to have been born across the river in Waterproof, LA, though Mary Ann Osborn Hamilton lived out her life in Copiah County, MS and my g-grandmother, Ella, in Jefferson County, MS. I thought this was interesting enough to post. They certainly don't write obituaries the way they used to. Nancy "Fayette, MS; November 17, 1885 Mrs. Deborah S. Johnson, long known hereabouts as Aunt Debby and then as Grandma Johnson, has laid down the cross. She was born in Orange County, NC, October, 1788, of Francis Baldridge (a Revolutionary soldier) and Elizabeth Turrentine, his wife. These, with several other children, came to Jefferson County, MS, about the year 1800 and settled at the mouth of Cole's Creek. The family were Presbyterians, but finding no organization of that church here, became Baptist. They taught their children religious truth. Miss Deborah was of a very gay disposition, fond of dress, of dancing and other worldly amusements. Soon after marriage, she joined the Methodist Church at old Spring Hill, under the ministry of Rev. Miles Harper, the gifted pioneer. She was converted about the same time, simultaneously with young Tommie Owens, who became so famous for his sanctified eccentricities. Her marriage to Mr. John Clem Johnson took place December 24, 1807, and resulted most happi! ly. He afterward became a preacher, serving most of the time as an itinerant local; but at the time of his death was a member of the Mississippi Methodist Conference. He found a helpmeet for him---just such a wife as a preacher needs---industrious, frugal, cheerful, fond of company and of church going. She no longer engaged in frivolous pleasures, having far nobler joys and occupation helpful. She was not very demonstrative, but very firm in her religious principles; not naturally amiable, but so kind and loving as to win many friends. She bore eleven children, of whom eight grew to maturity and three of whom are still alive to bless her memory, besides very many descendants---twenty or thirty to the fifth generation. Her husband died thirty-two years ago, and she ever after lived with her oldest son, Rev. W. B. Johnson, near Fayette. He and his did all that could be done to lighten the labor and sorrow of her protracted old age. She was very active till she reache! d seventy-five years. Living to so great an age, her hearing partly failed and her eyesight wholly. For more than four years, she was scarcely able to leave her bed. Her constant prayer was for patience to endure the nervous suffering of her intense weakness and her enforced idleness. This was indeed a sore trial to one so energetic by nature. Toward the last, she prayed earnestly to be released. As the portals of morning opened October 7, 1885, her spirit sped away to the realms of endless day. She spent on earth ninety-seven years and one day. In heaven henceforth and forever. J. P. Drake Fayette, Miss." Nancy, researching: Baldridge, Cain, Carmichael, Courtney, Curtis, Dawkins, Doty, Garmon, Garrett, Hanon, Jackson, McCormick, Matthews, Osborne, Sharp, Stampley, Stringer, Warren and many more! Wesbites: www.geocities.com/twincousin2334 www.thepastwhispers.com

I really enjoyed reading that obit. It was like I knew Aunt Debby. Just a lovely sendoff. Rebecca