Sarah E. (Warren) BRADFORD

DEATH’S HARVEST
BRADFORD
Mrs. Sarah E. BRADFORD, daughter of William and Ann WARREN, was born east of BLOOMFIELD, April 7, 1858, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fay BROUHARD, at Rensselaer on April 2, 1930, at the age of seventy-one years, eleven months and twenty-five days.

On January 18, 1880, she was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to David Allen BRADFORD. To this union was born three children, Fannie Fayette, Alfred Clyde, Carol Lois, the two later ones having died in infancy. Her beloved companion, whose loss she never ceased to mourn, departed this life September 6, 1924.

When fourteen years of age she united with the Allen Chapel Methodist Protestant church, while that congregation still held services in the schoolhouse and was among its first members.

She leaves to mourn her departure, one daughter, Mrs. Roy BROUHARD, and husband, and a nephew, Raymond WARREN, whom she loved as her own son and he reverenced and loved her as his own mother, as she mothered him from the time of his mother’s death, when he was two years old. The devotion between Uncle Al and Aunt Sally and Raymond was just like parents and son. Raymond and his wife were both untiring in looking after Aunt Sally’s comfort. Besides those first mentioned, she is survived by two brothers, George and Henry WARREN, of BLOOMFIELD, and three sisters, Mrs. Cynthia ROBINSON, of Okalahoma City; Mrs. Lois SIMONSON, of Freelandville, and Mrs. Joanna WILKIE, of Calvertville.

One has said, “A good man or woman is the ripe fruit this world holds up to God.” Manhood and womanhood are the richest flowers of the earth. The seasons that come and go are not for the filing of granaries alone, but for the cultivation of mind and enrichment of soul. The standard of the ages by which anyone and everyone is tried is character.

Not beauty of person, not brilliancy of intellect, not greatness of achievement, not sway of authority, but goodness is fundamental and essential. Righteousness is life’s richest and greatest achievement. One writer has said “An honest man or woman is the noblest work of God. Our sister was a shining illustration of this proverb. She could not believe that dishonesty and piety could dwell together in the same heart. Some look upon religion as a creed to be believed, rather than a life to be lived. Deeds are the proof of the creed within. Religion is the most practical thing in the world. Sister BRADFORD was modest, unassuming, despised shams and loved simplicity and sincerity.

The end of the commandment is love and of a pure heart. Aunt Sally was one who loved her fellow beings. She served her generation, she loved the people, she won their confidence and this great multitude today is one of the proofs.

In her personal religious experience our sister was humble and devout. She loved the house of God and was interested in its services, and could always be counted on to fill her place as long as health would permit. Her home was a devoted friend to the ministry and it was an inspiration to visit there, for we found it a center of sweetness, for she was a devoted and honored wife and mother, and her children rise up and call her blessed.

Thus fidelity marked each place she was called upon to fill, citizen, friend, wife, mother, Christian.

Services were conducted last Saturday at Allen Chapel, at the church which she loved so well, with Rev. H. A. BAILIFF, of BLOOMFIELD, officiating, and the body laid to rest in Grand View Cemetery, there to await the resurrection call.

THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, BLOOMFIELD, Greene County, Indiana, Thursday, April 10, 1930, Volume LIV, Number 23, Page 1, Column 6

Last updated 10.11.2009