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"Annie B. Edmunds, daughter of E. A. and Henrietta Edmunds; born
March 8th 1866; died September 15th, 1877.
"On the 16th funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. W.
Lambuth. A large concourse of friends had assembled to witness the
solemn occasion. Fond and loving parents drew near to gaze for the last
time on the form of their little darling silently slumbring in the icy
embrace of death. Brothers and sisters took a long lingering look at the
face whose charms had added so much to make home happy. School mates
gathered round to take a farewell view of their departed companion, who
but few days ago helped to conquer a lesson, or joined them in the
mirthful school-girl games, but who has now solved life's perplexing
problem.
"The sun for a time gilded the hill-top with its cheerful
radience, and the dew drop glistened on the wild weed, soon the face of
the sun was shrouded in gloom and great Nature's voice seemed to
announce the fellwork of death.
"Dr. Lambuth's remarks were brief, pointed and touching. After
funeral services the body was interred in the family burying ground near
by.
"About the 5th inst., the little girl was taken with brain fever.
During the few last days of her illness her suffering was intensely
great, but the closing hour of her earthly life seemed to be an
introductory to the joy and peace to which she was rapidly drifting. Her
eyes regained for a moment their original luster, and the tint of
childhood's freshness seemed to lend once more its bright hue to her
cheeks, upon which death's chill dews were gently descending. Soon the
summons of Him, who had guided her step in other days as she wandered
forth in search of the wild flower, called her from her bed of
suffering, and the bark of death bore her across the sullen stream that
divides time from eternity. The little being whose life, peace and
happiness had ever been interwoven, and upon whose face rested the smile
of lovliness, had sunk quietely to seelp "to awake in the sunlight
Land.' Possessing, as she did, the characteristics that adorn the full
grown lady in the circle of society, combined with that simple, easy and
innocent expression found only in the features of childhood, she was the
admired of all who knew her. Gentle in her manners, mild in
conversation, neat in appearance and industrious in her habits. She was
extremely fond of books for one so tender in years. Her school days
seemed to be to her, of all others, the brightest, and her standing in
her classes and general deportment ever her associates. It has been
truly said, "Death loves a shining mark." Fate with her
unrelenting hand has plucked from the family one of the brightest
flowers ere its tender petals and unfolded. 'Tis useless to attempt to
tell the grief that has befallen the family of the deceased or the deep
sympathy they command from a host of friends. Through their hearts flows
the gushing torrent of grief which only those who have felt can know. In
their bosom yawns the chasm of desolation that time cannot bridge, and
in their hearts there gapes a wound that no earthly balm an heal. As the
soft and pensive hour of evening comes calmly on, and one by one the
family circle is formed, one will be wanting. One dear face will be
absent. One familiar step will be heard no more in the hall. The autumn
breeze that sings its low and requiem in the branches of the old locust
beneath whose shade she so often sat, and the mellow sunbeam that plays
on the walls of the vacant chamber, will each bring daily many cherished
recollections of her, whose voice is now hushed and still as the stone
by her grave.
"You who fancy yourselves sheltered from the storms of death by
the roof of vigorous health and feed the flame of life on the fuel of
bright hopes and visionary dreams of the future, heed this sad but
impressive writing.
"But let's turn from the sorrowing scene, and wipe from our eyes
the tear of regret, for through the sorrow there streams a ray of
consolation, and shines late the hearts even from the storm-fretted
ocean of grief that bids the wild surging billows of tribulation,
"Peace be still". The jewel of which the family has been
robbed has lost none of its splendor. The precious flower, though wilted
and withered by death, lives a fragrant odor in memory's garden, and
will mingle with those of angels, and upon the little feet that
completed so soon their earthly journey, will be placed the sandals of
saints, where in the sanctuary of Jehovah, side by side with bright
seraphs, they will tread the gem-decked aisles of the Celestial Temple.
The hands now cold and motionless will touch the strings of the Golden
Harp, and the myriads of the redeemed move in response to the melody.
Sweet and precious the thought that when life's fretting bubble has
burst, and death's dark river crossed, father, mother, brothers and
sisters by leading a life pure as did little Annie may meet her again
face to face down by the bright waters of eternal life. OCTAGON COTTAGE,
Sept. 17, 1877."
Edmunds Cemetery
Annie E. Edmunds
6 Mar 1866 - 15 Sept 1866 [sic]
Daughter of E A & S H Edmunds
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