Nodaway County Missouri. Obituary of Eliza J. Groves Elliott ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: (c) Bev Atkinson ==================================================================== 'Sister Eliza J. Elliott, nee Groves, was born July 26, 1858, departing this life May 9th, 1893, at her home in Maryville, Missouri, has left a remarkable proof of the reality of God and our Christianity too clear to be reasonably doubted by the most obdurate. With a heroism born of God, she patiently endured through the stormy winter, her long continued affliction, till amid flowers and sunshine, God called her home. The disease for years preying upon her life, seemingly but added to the brightness of her countenance and sweetness of her disposition. She joined the M. E. Church South on the occasion of the dedication of the Pleasant Grove Church the couty, Rev A. P. Linn, pastor and was baptised by Rev. C. I. Vandeventer, then presiding elder. Two years later, 1876, she was happily converted under the ministery of Rev. C. A. Sherman. To the end of her life she exemplified by her zeal for, and attachment to Christ and the church, the genuineness of her faith. On May 10th, 1883, she was amrried to Mr. Frank P. Elliot, Rev. Robert White of the Missouri Conference, officiating, toward whom she has cherished the fondedt attachment, whose chiefest concern, living and dying, was his welfare here and always. Little Ora, the only child, so tenderly affectionate and so attentive during the months of the father's necessary absence in his official duties at Washington before the mother's severe illness, survives. She with her father will not soon forget those caressing words as the mother bade them, with relatives and friends, farewell, accompanied with the earnest charge, born of the realities of her then experience, to meet her in Heaven. Four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Snapp, of Maryville, MO; Mrs. Martha B. Perdew, of Barnard, MO; Mrs. Ora Grigsby, of Arkoe, MO; and Mrs. E. M. Perdew, of Monte Vista, CO, all members of the Methodist church, tenderly guarded the bedside to the last, and remain as vessels meet for the Master's use. Four brothers, Hiram D. Groves, of Fayette, an honored president of Howard Payne College; Wm. F., of Maryville, Byron, of Wray, Colorado, and Seymour, now at Central College, Fayette, in preparation for the ministry, all members of the M. E. Church South with a single exception, were present, except the one in Colorado, kept away by sickness in his family, but to whom a letter at his dying sister's request will be addressed in tender remembrance and with the fond hope of a glad reunion. Her bright testimonials to the sufficiency of Christ in her great affliction, to those loved ones with the many sympathizing friends and neighbors, who called from time to time, are treasured in loving hearts never to be forgotten. At times she seemed with Paul to experience the rapture of the third heaven and then he left only to tell it to others. Her victory over death was unquestionably achieved that Sabbath afternoon, two days before her spirit's flight, when in prayer and conversation with her Brother Hiram, she clapped her hands and shouted for joy. The funeral service--blessed with a clear sky and bright sunshine--as was her departing hour--attended by a vast concourse of relatives and friends, with many floral tributes, was conducted at the M. E. Church South Thursday afternoon, May 11, by the pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. Chas. Selecman, of the Maryville circuit, who too had shared in the pleasure of the moments of prayer and triumphs in her last days. The body, encased in a beautiful velvet casket, lowered by tender hands, sleeps beneath the green sod of the beautiful Oak Hill cemetary till Jesus comes. Frank Siler'