1914 :: Death of Mrs. P.A. Lewis

Rockdale, Apr. 30th. -- The funeral of Mrs. P.A. Lewis, who died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Fred H. Graves, Wednesday at 2 p.m., while sitting in an easy chair, were held Thursday afternoon at 5 o'clock from the newly dedicated Presbyterian church, Rev. W.E. Copeland, the pastor, conducting the ceremonies. 

Mrs. Lewis was born in the state of Alabama, and was at the inauguration of the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. At the time of her death she was 79 years, 8 months and 29 days old. She had resided with a daughter in Rockdale, Mrs. E.S. Loper, for the past 27 years, where her life had been marked by a strong devotion to duty. 

Last January she suffered a fall from which she had never regained her former activity. To break the monotony, she would spend each alternate week with a grand daughter, which fell upon Monday. Each vied with the other in showering her with attentions. 

Her cherished prayers were that she might live to witness the dedication of the new church in which her labors had played so important a part, and to be able to walk without assistance. Both were granted. On Sunday, April 19, she was tenderly borne to the place, and given an honored seat amid an environment of palms, ferns and Easter lilies, when her choice anthem was sung. And the day she died, she walked to the midday meal alone. 

The last services were held at sunset in the Old City Cemetery. Probably no greater tribute was ever paid another than that extended to this favored daughter. Mrs. Lewis is survived by two daughters, Mesdames E.S. Loper of Rockdale, and Mattie Werner of Houston, fifteen grand-children, of which is Mr. Henry T. Werner [sic] of the Associated Press, Houston, and 30 great-grand-children. Cameron Herald, May 7, 1914