Stump - Tabitha Surface
Source: Crawfordsville Review, June 12, 1917
Tabitha Stump, wife of Perry F. Stump 810 W. Pike St of this city born Oct 19, 1856 was called in death Tuesday 5:50 p.m. June 5, 1917. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Surface, who passed on to their reward several years ago. She was joined in holy wedlock Nov 25, 1880 and to this union were born 3 sons: Walter Sept 4, 1883; Will L, Oct 12, 1886 and Paul, AUgust 6, 1888.
Perry Stump, her husband, born April 21, 1859, and sons survive to mourn their loss. All were at her bedside as she departed this life .
Three brothers and two sisters linger to cherish her memory. Mrs. Levi Byrd, of Rossville, Illinois; Frank Surface of Shannondale, Indiana; Lee Surface of New Market, Indiana; George F. Surface, of Fulton, Indiana and Mrs. Harry Ridge of Hamlin, Montana. Mrs. George Stump of Rossville, Illinois and Mrs. Bert Poyner of HIllsboro, Indiana passed to their reward a few years ago, while a brother, Mortie Surface was taken in the spring time of life.
Her sister Pruda was almost constantly at her side the last 10 weeks of her severest suffering as was her husband, ministering with a love and devotion truly sublime.
It was a long period of suffering, bed fast nearly all the time since last September, yet she bore it paintiently without a murmur, saying frequently she was "ready when the Master calls."
the funeral services were conducted at the home thursday, Jue 7, at 2:30 p.m. Rev. John A. watson of Lafayette, Indiana in charge, assisted by Rev. CB Stanforth of Trinity ME Church of this city. Chas. Harris and Mrs. Bertha watson sang favorite songs of the deceased. Sympthy and deep regard were expressed in the beautiful floral offerings.
At the cemetery the ceremonies were brief. Rev. Watson tendered on behalf of the family thanks to those who had taken part in the services and those who in many ways had done much to make them long remembered during the trying months that are gone.
One of the touching incidents was the three brother and three sons of Mrs. stump acting s pallbearers. It has been a consolig fact that during a period of nearly 37 years, death had not entered this happy home.
She like Enoch of old, began walking with God at sunrise of life and walked with Him util her sun went down and God said "come to the mansion prepared from the beginning of time." In her maidenhood days she joined the ME Church at Mt. Tabor during the ministry of Rev. IP Patch, whose sterling work many yet recall. When the class was organized and Trinity Church ws built she became a member of it, as did her husband and three sons. A few years before her death she became affiliated with the Free Methodist Church and clously espoused its tenets. She was an uncompromising christian; church work was not for her a diversion or pastime. It ws a duty, a service and pleasure; not one day out of seven, but every day. The teaching of her Master was the stndrad by which she measured ll things, settled all questions. Her faith in the cause of Jesus was sublime and was the star that guided her through the transcient scenes of life. Gentle, kind, noble-hearted and pure, she is mirrored in the souls of the many who love her dear to memory. "Mamma SUmp," as the family called her, was a good woman, a companionable wife and mother, the influence of whose life was uplifting and casts a halow around her memory. Her home was her earthly shrine, her husband for her its chief source of attraction, her only jewels wer eher boys. Love was her dominating trait. She is not far away, she just gathered up her robes and slipped quietly across the way to her mansion in glory, long in preparation, the appointments of which she was perfectly familiar, on the river of life near by the throne of God. When such a one is called the only source of sorrow is being deprived of the inspiration of life ripe with the rich fuitage of rare experience that enabled her with the eyes of faith to pierce the mystic veil that shrouds from view the mansions above where hands of love were beckoning her to come home. If every one touched by her gentle smile, moved by her kind words or who cherish her kindly acts were to place a flower on her shrine she would rest this day beneath an Eden of blossoms.
The monument she leaves in the hearts by the memory of a multitude of those who knew and loved her so well, will outlive any sculptured shaft of marble, for it is unveiled in imperishable glory, high as the throne of God. She was my friend. This my tribute and my word of good cheer to her husabnd and three sons that in the radiance of this shaft raised to her memory they may see the 7 hued bow of God's proimse.
Well might she have said in the language of the inspired poet: Life, we've been long togher. Through pleasant and through cloudy weather .. Tis hard to part when friends are dear, Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear .. so steel away, give little warning .. Say no a good bye, but in some brighter clime, bid me good morning." - typed by kbz 5-5-2017