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Note: In Memory of Sarah Leamons Miss Sarah Leamons was born July 30, 1847, in Union County, Arkansas. She professed faith in Christ in her fourteenth year; united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Three Creeks, Union County, Arkansas; was baptized by Eld. J. M. Hart, who then lived at Eldorado, Ark., but now at Weatherford, Texas. I speak from personal knowledge when I say she has lived a Christian life. She had been in my home for twenty-eight years, with the exception of two years she spent in Bismarck, Mo., with her sister. She was my wife's sister, and being eleven years older, she became very much attached to her in early childhood, as their mother died when my wife was very young, and after my marriage she expressed a desire to make her home with Mattie, and she ever filled an important place in my family. During the early part of my ministerial life I was away from home a great deal. She was a constant companion to my wife during my absence. She became afflicted in early girlhood, and had been an invalid for over forty years, but she never murmered or complained. She was a dear lover and constant reader of the Texas Baptist Herald and was as well posted in our church affairs as a great many of our preachers. If I was not at home when The Herald came, she always claimed it first, and took a great delight in marking all communications in the paper of interest, and calling my attention to them when I came home. She was very much attached to my children, and especially so to our little 12-year-old boy, Rex. She was so reserved and so modest in her way of living that people visiting my home scarcely ever took notice of her, notwithstanding she loved company, never did admire the association of young people much, but always loved old people, and especially those who took interest in the church work. She quietly fell asleep in Jesus February 6, 1905 at 10:30 a. m. As my wife gave her a dose of medicine about one hour before she passed away, she looked up into her face and said, "Mattie, don't give me anything else; I want to go to sleep." The funeral was conducted by Eld. F. M. Hensley, our county missionary, assisted by Eld. W. J. Aekens, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this place. She greatly admired these two men of God. We laid her to rest at 2:30 p. m. in the Italy Cemetery, by the side of our little J. F. McClung, Jr., who preceded her to the glory land just one year. Oh, how we miss her; her room looks so lonely, all of her trinkets intact. We will give them to Rex, the boy she petted. Some sweet day we will see her again. We all bow our heads and say, "The will of the Lord be done." As I pen these lines tears come into my eyes as I think of the sadness of seeing her face on earth no more. Goodbye, Sarah, till the Resurrection morning.
(Rev.) J. F. McClung, Italy, Tex.
(The above obituary came from Jemima Leamons Williams family and across the top margin is a note: "Mattie give this to me." MWL)
Birth and death dates also listed in Harriet's Bible.
1900; Census Place: Italy, Ellis, Texas; Roll: T623 1630; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 33.
Sister Sarah Leamons living with them.
McClung John F Head MW Apr 1852 48 marr 25yr Ga NC NC Clergyman Can rd and wrt.
Mattie Wife FW Apr 1856 44 marr 25yr Ark Mo Miss 10child, 9living Can rd and wrt.
Belle Dau FW Aug 1880 19 sing Ark Ga Ark Can rd and wrt.
Earnest Dau FW Nov 1882 17 sing Ark Ga Ark At school 9mo Can rd and wrt.
Manda Dau FW Oct 1885 14 sing Ark Ga Ark At school 9mo Can rd and wrt.
Hayden Son MW Sept 1890 9 sing Ark Ga Ark Rexford Son MW Sept 1892 7 sing Ark Ga Ark Clark Son MW June 1895 5 sing Ark Ga Ark Clifford Son MW Oct 1897 2 sing Ark Ga Ark Leamons Sarah Sis FW July 1847 52 sing Ark Mo Miss Can rd and wrt.
I walked the Italy cemetery and couldn't find Sarah's grave. The graves of her sister, Mattie, and brother-in-law, John, and their infant son are located within a curbed area having room enough for two other graves. John's eulogy of Sarah indicates she was laid to rest beside their infant son. I suspect John and Mattie's spinster daughter, Belle McClung, is also buried within the curbed area. MWL
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