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Note: N8274 Death of Mrs. Sallie Avery
Clinton MO - Last Charter Member Baptist Church Passes - Mrs. J. M. Avery Was the Only Remaining One of Seven Organizers of Clinton's First Baptist Church - Died Monday at 6:45 P.M. - Aged 93 -
With the passing of Mrs. J. M. Avery at 6:45 Monday, December 5 in Clinton, the last of the charter members of the First Baptist Church of Clinton went home. Mrs. Avery, a Baptist since girlhood, had the love of her faith deep in her heart, bringing it as a bride to her new Clinton home. Hence she was one of the seven moving spirits who had the vision and zeal to build a powerful and might church organization in Henry County. And from that small body, drawn together in the true missionary spirit that heeded the injunction, "Go ye into all the world and spread My gospel," sprung the strongest church membership of Henry County. Full of years and grace, her spirit tuned to the clear call of her Savior, Mrs. J. M. Avery closed her eyes in the sleep of eternity at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. J. Livingston. Mrs. Avery, daughter of an old and distinguished pioneer family, had been away from Clinton some years before 1935 when she returned with the body of her son, Charlie, to whom death had come while they were in California. She had since lived with the Livingstons, gracing their home with sweet and cultured charm. And there, life gently ebbed to its close, with the serenity and peace that had marked all her pathway.
Sarah Pauline Woolfolk was born December 8, 1845, at Rock Bridge, near Columbia, in Boone County, the daughter of Charles Thomas Woolfolk and Polly Ann Payne. She was a girl of 11 years when the family moved to Tebo Township, in Henry County. It took six days for the trip by wagon, as all the livestock, horses, pigs and sheep, were moved at the same time, also some 40 slaves. Thus an influential and prominent family became an integral part of Henry County life.
Miss Sallie was sent back to Boone County to complete here education as a young lady, at Stephens College, Columbia, and it was while there that she confessed her faith and became a member of the Baptist Church. May 16, 1865, she became the wife of J. M. Avery and they came to Clinton to establish their home, and leave an indelible imprint on its cultural and religious life. J. M. Avery, who died in 1904, was the son of Rev. Henry Avery, who came to Henry County from Tennessee in 1831, having served in the War of 1812 and against the Seminole Indians under General Jackson — one of the county's finest and most stalwart Christian characters.
Young, sweet and lovely, Mrs. Avery from the first of her residence in Clinton, wielded an influence that was Christian, for her faith was ever an undimmed light, her attendance faithful and her enthusiasm and pride in her church unbounded. Indeed happy was she, when September 16, 1866, the First Baptist Church was organized in Clinton. The first meetings were held in the courthouse where the late Dr. P. S. Jennings tended to the lighting of the coal oil lamps and the numerous candles that he kept trimmed and burning bright with his candle snuffer. Her energy and means were directed to the erection of a church building and a few short years later the first Baptist Church, which was rebuilt in 1927 corner of Second and Jefferson streets, was erected. Mrs. Avery was a charter member, together with Dr. and Mrs. P. S. Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. John Barlow, Thomas D. Hancock, and W. H. Dodge, and her beloved husband was one of the converts the day of organization, and became one of the early deacons. As a deacon's wife, Mrs. Avery lived in spiritual accord with the office of her husband, preparing the communion bread and wine, making her church and social life one. Many times in the rush of the church social or dinner, when food seemed to be insufficient, she would hurry home and prepare extra dishes, that there might be a surplus instead of a shortage of good food.
Four children were born into the Avery home, built at 214 South Second Street, and lived in by their daughter after Mr. Avery's death and owned and occupied the past few years by O.N. Bush. Charles Henry, who died November 28, 1935; Frank of Memphis, Tenn., Ella C., wife of Judge Robert E. Lewis, of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. W. J. Livingston of Clinton, who with ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, survive.
To her daughters, this remarkable mother gave the sweet beauty of face and manner that were hers and her sons the grace and charm of marked gentility. "She looketh well to the ways of her household," being meticulously neat and orderly; a fine needle woman, a gifted cook for some of her dishes are still remembered. Her hands were never idle, bits of fancy work, knitting or crochet were ready for pick up work always, until the very last days when she held on by the most delicate thread.
When Mr. Avery died in 1904 Mrs. Avery went to Kansas City to make a home for her son, Charlie, living for many years at Rockhill Manor. In 1933, they went to Los Angeles, where they lived until his death. She accompanied the body back to Missouri and continued to make her home here mid scenes she loved and remembered. For so long a life, heres was especially free of sorrow and well might it be said that her ways were ways of pleasantness and all her paths were peace. The funeral services were conducted Wednesday at the Baptist Church.
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