Deaths of Annie Leak Steele, Bertha Covington, April 3, 1919 Post-Dispatch

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, April 3, 1919

In Memoriam—Annie Leak Steele

Annie Leak Steele, younger daughter of Col. Walter Leak and Mary Little Steele, entered into life eternal on Friday, March 7, 1919. The angel of death came to her swiftly, but at the last she fell asleep as does a little child.

On Sunday afternoon impressive services were held in the home which overflowed with friends and masses of loveliest flowers paying their last tribute of affection when the sacred words were read, giving over the precious soul into the Everlasting Arms. The casket, covered with an exquisite pall of white roses, was born by intimate friends, and as the evening sun went down, she was laid to rest with infinite trust in a glorious resurrection, near her mother and father in the old family cemetery, there to await the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness.

The passing of Anne Steele touches a circle larger than the large family circle and the inner home circle of which she was the light and life. Descended from ancestors who represented the best of the old life of the South, she was born in the home where she lived always—a home noted for its hospitality, whose doors were open at all times to friends in joy or in the deepest sorrow. Her life was one of active, loving service. Ever faithful and loyal to the church she loved; generous and unselfish, and eager always to help others. The extent of her kindly deeds will never be known of men, for her goodness was without ostentation. Absolutely straightforward, frank and honest in all things, and without guile she dwelt among us and loved life. Yet, in human judgment with everything to live for, when the Summons came there was not a murmur. She had no fears to shed. The memory of the wonderful faith and courage and sweetness, that almost transfigured those last days as her spirit hovered near the great white throne, will remain as a gift of something great and beautiful beyond words to describe.

With the peace of God that passes all understanding in her heart, and in her face its light reflected, it was only the close of a perfect day, and all was well. Though sunset and night came soon and life closed in its full bloom, the word untimely cannot be used, for God makes no mistakes, and the mystery will vanish when the day breaks and the shadows flee away. The fragrance and influence of such a life and death will linger, and we may go our ways comforted, serenely confident of what was hers at the end of the day.

--E.S.

Mrs. Bertha Covington

The Death Angel visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith Sunday night, March 23^rd, and took their daughter, Mrs. Bertha Covington, after several months of sickness. She was a good and loving girl and bore her pains patiently till the Lord took her home to live with Him where all is love and no sickness enters there. She will be missed, but God doeth all things well. She leaves her father and mother and two sisters and two brothers and a little girl, Hollie May, about four years old, and a host of friends to mourn her death. May God comfort the sad hearts in their grief.

“Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast;

There by his love overshadowed,

Sweetly my soul shall rest.”

--Beulah Monroe, Entwistle