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Note: Ralls County Herald-Enterprise, April 29, 2010 Center Herald, September 10, 1925
Miss Roberta Ely Passed Away in St. Louis Hospital After Brief Illness
One of the saddest deaths that has occurred in this community for some time was that of Miss Roberta Neal Ely, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Ely, prominent residents of Center, who passed away at 9 o'clock Friday morning in the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium at St. Louis, following an illness of a week or more. Miss Ely was taken suddenly ill several days ago with appendicitis from which peritonitis soon developed and a day or two before her demise double pneumonia set in from anesthetic administered when an operation was preformed in hopes of saving her life. She was stricken shortly after her arrival in St. Louis for a visit at the home of her sister, Mrs. E.D. Frier. Her mother was summoned when it was found her illness was of a critical nature and a few days later her father and brother, Jess Ely hastened to her bedside after physicians stated there was no hope for her recovery.
While attending Stephens College at Columbia last year, Miss Ely suffered an attack of appendicts and underwent an operation fromm which she recovered and shortly resumed her studies. After-effects of this operation is presumed to have been the cause of her fatal illness. She left for Fort Madison, Ia., to spend several days before going to the home of her sister and complaining of being ill when she arrived in St. Louis. She was rushed to the hospital immediately, but there was little hope for her recovery almost from the outset.
Miss Ely, who was 19 years of age, was born near Center, March 21, 1906. She was an unusually bright and intelligent young lady, possessing a lovely character and had a large circle of friends who were endeared to her by reason of her charming personality and kindly spirit. She attended the Center public school and also was a student in St. Louis schools a few years. Last year she entered Stephens College for a special course in designing. Of the immediate family she is survived by her parents, one sister, Mrs. Frier, and a brother, Jesse Ely, who resides near Center.
The body was brought to Hannibal from St. Louis Saturday evening, arriving at 5:30, and removed to Smith's funeral home. Sunday morning her body was brought to the family home in Center.
Funeral services were held from the Christian church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. John A. Gloden, of Hannibal, who paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of the sweet-faced, bright-eyes young girl who had entered into rest - the endless peace of death - and at the close of the solemn and impressive service, in an earnest, heart-felt prayer commended the bereaved family to Him who has promised never to forsake those who put their trust in Him.
The church of which she was a beloved member, and the Sunday school of which she was a constant and faithful attendant, were largely represented at the funeral. Many elegant and profuse floral offerings were expressive tributes of the love and esteem in which she was held. At the close of the impressive service the mortal remains were conveyed to Mount Olivet cemetery and laid to final rest.
It is a sore affliction, indeed, to her fond parents to know that their daughter, their youngest child who yet remained with them under the family roof-tree, has been taken away from in the bloom of youth, that her merry voice and bright smile will never gladden their hearts again - the suddenness of the blow is terrible. Only the grace of God and the blessed hope of heaven sustains them in their hour of deep sorrow.
Among the many out of town attendants at the funeral were, Dr. and Mrs. F.L. Gibbs and Miss Lillian Neal, of St. Louis; Mrs. Elizabeth Flowerree and Mrs. Roy Ellidge of Slater, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Culbertson and Mr. and Mrs. Olen Culbertson, of Montgomery City; Mrs. Sallie Terrill, Miss Della Liter, Mrs. J.J. Crews, Miss Olivia Myers and Martin T. Myers, of Mexico; Mrs. Dexter Henry Wheelock and Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Wheelock, of Hull, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stolte, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith and daughter, Miss Virginia, Mrs. D.P. Harris, Mrs. Frances C. Dunn and daughter, Martha, Forrest Palmer and Mrs. W. F. Rosser, of Hannibal.
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