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- Obituary of Sallie Murray 1917 "Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Murray, the wife of J. C. Murray of Huckabay, TX, was born in Corinth, AR in 1854, May 6. Here she lived for more than 35 years. She was the daughter of Wiley Watson, more commonly known as Captain Watson. Her father came to AR from Bedford Co., TX in 1852 and settled at Corinth, AR. He was noted for his great interest in church work, community development, and for his Christian family. One day, he was kicked by a horse and after lingering for a few days, he died. Before he died, he called his wife and his eight children around his bed and bid them 'good bye'. Sallie came in, he hugged her and kissed her and said, 'Good bye, my little angel.' Then he passed away. After this, her mother and the eight small children remained on the little farm and made a living by all working together. They managed all to go to school some. Sallie went to school to Professor Sam Reese and Alexander. Though her schooling was small, she always praised their good work. During those early days of her girlhood she formed many acquaintances all of whom were very close to her. Even in her old age, she would often speak of the place of her childhood. There she saw many sorrows and pleasures.
She obeyed the gospel at Corinth in 1869. In 1872, she was happily married to J. C. Murray. Brother Murray's first wife was Sallie's cousin who died two months before, leaving one child, Laura. Sister Sallie became a mother to her cousin's child and raised her. At Corinth, they lived and toiled in lowly obscurity for about eighteen years, after which they moved to TX (to Georgetown-then Grayson County), remained for one year, then returned to Corinth, AR. In 1892, they again turned their faces toward the west and moved to Stephenville, TX.
Later, they moved to Huckabay (both in Erath Co.,) where they have lived until her death. To this union have been born eight children, but she reared nine and was raising an orphan boy when she died. He is about 12 years old. All the nine are members of the Church of Christ. She was a great lover of children, and during her declining years, she found much pleasure in amusing them, giving them gifts and teaching them good moral lessons. She always looked forward to the time of the family reunions when all the children, granchildren and great-granchildren would come to see her. It made her heart leap with joy to see them all. Her character was a remarkable one. One of her friends said of her--'Sallie had the name at Old Corinth of being the best girl in the country. No one ever spoke a harmful word of her, and she loved everyone. She always spoke to all in a kind and pleasing tone.' She tried to live in favor with God and be at peace with all mankind. She took great interest in the church work, and in talking of things pure and holy and the home above. Only a few days before she took sick, while all were sitting around the fireside, she said, 'I believe the end of time is near at hand and now since I have raised all my children and have become afflicted with disease (neuralgia) it seems to me that it would be sweet to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus and pass on to the other shore where my loved ones have gone. And I want all of you to live so that you will meet me over there. All I regret is that we can't all go together.' On Friday morning, at 10:30 on June 1 (1917) while her husband and all the children save one (Clem) were gathered around her bed, her soul took its flight. 'The Little Angel' as she had been called, went to meet her loved one. She had been a faithful Christian for forty-eight years. She was dearly loved by all the children and her influence still lives in their lives. She will be greatly missed in the home, especially by her dear husband who now quietly wanders about the homeplace in deep solitude and mourning. His companion is gone. Sister Murray can no more come to meet us, but let us prepare to meet her at the pearly gates." Very respectfully, R. B. Sullivan (written for J. C. Murrary shortly afetr the death of his wife, Sarah Rebecca.) (R. B. was the husband of Rhoda-Sallie's youngest child.)
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