OBIT: Mary Ann (THOMPSON) OWENS, 1899, Birmingham, Huntingdon County, PA

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MRS. MARY ANN OWENS.
Death of An Aged Resident of Birmingham Yesterday Morning.

  Mrs. Mary Ann Owens, who died at Birmingham yesterday morning and in 
whose memory we write these sad lines, was well known and respected by 
all who knew her.  The deceased was the daughter of Mr. James and Sarah 
Thompson, of this place, and was the oldest of a family of seven 
children.  With the subject of this sketch the entire family has 
crossed the dark stream from whence none has ever returned to make 
known the beauties of the celestial city.
  The deceased was also the relict of Mr. Andrew Perry Owens, who died 
here some years ago.  To the union was born eight children, five sons 
and three daughters.  With the exception of Rev. W. J. Owens, who died 
in October 1876 and Francis D. Owens, who died in June, 1895, the 
entire family remains to mourn the irreparable loss of a mother.  The 
surviving members of the family are D. Garrett, J. Thomas and G. Lloyd 
Owens, of Tyrone; Mrs. Blanch S. Hall, of Beech Creek; Mrs. Hannah L. 
Wilson, of Seattle, Washington, and Miss Anna M. Owens of this place, 
who during the declining years of her aged parent has kindly and 
faithfully administered to her every want.  The deceased was born here 
in the year 1815 and at the time of her death was in the 85th year of 
her age.  The cause of her death was the ailments incident to old age. 
With the exception of a few years lived at Tyrone, McVeytown and 
Smith's Mills her whole life was spent in this community.  In faith she 
was a firm believer in the atoning blood of Chris, hence her love for 
the Bible, her church and her regular attendance at almost every means 
of grace.  Her conversion dates away back in the twenties, and from 
that time down to the day of her death was a long member of the 
Methodist Methodist [sic] Episcopal church.  Her life to the world has 
been a godly one, true to the church of her choice and always true to 
the cause of Christianity.  In her every day life she was free from 
ostentation, and at all times was a strong advocate of the proper 
observance and sanctity of the Sabbath day.  Very often has the writer 
heard her relate her Christian experience, wherein she pictured the 
beauty to be seen and the satisfaction to be realized in living a true 
Christian life.  The class meeting and the Epworth League were her 
favorite meetings.  At these she seldom failed in her attendance, and 
in some way always tried to point the unconcerned to the Savior of all 
mankind.  From the date of her conversion to the close of life it will 
be seen that over seventy years were spent in the Master's cause, 
having entered the Methodist fold when only a child.  Early Methodism 
in this section dates back to the first quarter of the century.  The 
old church stood near where the present one stands, and was built back 
in the thirties during the pastor of Rev. James Stevens, of the 
Williamsburg charge.  The deceased was one of the first members of that 
church when this appointment was one of the Williamsburg circuit, when 
Methodist ministers in their church work labored under more difficult 
circumstances than those of the present day.  We are glad to note that 
her death was both calm and peaceful and that the evening of her life 
was spent under more favorable circumstances than when she first 
enlisted in her Master's cause.  Her life was genuine and her Christian 
experience has furnished an example worthy of emulation.  When her 
voice was heard in a religious meeting, either in prayer or an 
experience, it was both thrilling and touching to the heart of the 
listener, and now that she has been called hence, her translation at 
the ripe old age of better than four score years is the reward promised 
to the faithful.  While her faith was based upon the doctrines and 
teaches of the Methodist Episcopal church, yet she adhered strictly to 
the belief that the religion of Christ knows no creeds, but that 
"whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting 
life." . . . .
  The funeral services will occur on Thursday afternoon from her late 
home and will be conducted by Rev. J. H. Shipe assisted by Rev. H. H. 
Henry of the Presbyterian church.  At the close of the services her 
remains will be borne to the Methodist cemetery and interred along side 
of those of the family who have preceded her to the spirit world.

Morning Tribune, Wednesday, December 20, 1899