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Note: H00696
Note: The Floyd Press, Floyd, Virginia: THE DEATH OF MRS. CONNER Mrs. Mahala Conner, wife of Mr. Jonathan Conner, passed away from this earth on the 23rd day of December, 1907. She was the last surviving child of that noble and generous hearted man, Valentine Thrash, who passed away several years ago. Mrs. Conner's only sister, Mrs. Mary A. Sowder, mother of A. T. Sowder, V. M. Sowder, Mrs. J. B. Strickler and other children, preceded Mrs. Conner to the grave some 3 or 4 years ago. She was the mother of six children, Valentine Thrash Conner, Shelton Leak Conner, of Floyd County; Robert Lee Conner, of Roanoke City; Mrs. Manning, widow of Pleasant Manning of Roanoke County; Mrs. Harriet E. Strickler of Danville; Mrs. M. C. King, of Howery, this county. She leaves behind her also 36 or 37 grandchildren, and about 30 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Conner was born July 15, 1830 making her stay on this earth 77 years, 5 months and 8 days. She was married to Jonathan Conner on July 27, 1852. She made a profession of religion many years ago and united herself with the Primitive Baptist Church of which she was a consistent member and always attended her church meetings until her health gave away. She had been a long sufferer and her sufferings had to some extent impaired her mind, but she at all times talked of her Blessed Redeemer. That aged and bowed down in grief husband, Jonathan Conner was always by her side only when he went for medicine and for various doctors. He employed the best of doctors and bought all the medicine that his companion desired. The writer of this lives in the immediate neighborhood and I must here say, within my 61 years of age, I have never known such devotion to his wife as Mr. Jonathan Conner showed to his wife for years. Mr. Conner is now an old man, will be 77 years should he live until April 20, 1908. Now, husband, children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends, do not weep for mother, and grandmother, for she has paid the debt we all must pay and let us hope and believe she is resting now on the Golden Shore. Let us all try to meet her over there. Mrs. Conner was buried at Salem Church on December 25th, in the presence of a large and sorrowing crowd. Her funeral was conducted by Rev. Sumner and Rev. Cole, both preaching able sermons and their sermons were, I thought, very appropriate to the occasion. In other words, nothing could have been added to their sermons. The husband, the children and other relatives have the deepest sympathy of this whole community.
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