Mrs. Chattie Prather Stack, wife of Judge A.M. Stack, died at her home here at 2 o’clock Thursday morning, after an illness of over a year. Judge Stack, who was holding court in Danbury, arrived at 5 o’clock. He had been notified the day before that her condition was not satisfactory, and so he adjourned court, took private conveyance to Winston, then the train for Charlotte. He did not know of his wife’s death until he reached Monroe.
Mrs. Stack’s illness had been protracted over a long period. Her remarkable fight for life in the face of overwhelming odds was characteristic of the courage and the fortitude with which she met all the problems of her life. In spite of her long and serious illness and the verdicts of specialists and physicians, she held on to life with a grim determination marked by the fact that she took the situation as a matter of fact, looking not to the end, but to the continuation of life. She spent several months in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and while her family were never in a position to be surprised, still, her remarkable recuperative powers, her composure, and her unruffled demeanor at all times, led to the hope and belief that she might live much longer. To this extent only was her death a surprise at any particular time.
About 12 o’clock in the night of her death her daughter was at her bedside and noted nothing unusual. At 2 she went back and found that the quiet breathing had ceased.
The funeral was held this afternoon at 3:30 by Dr. Weaver and Dr. Burrell, attended by a large gathering. The floral offerings were beautiful and came from friends near and far. Many telegrams of condolence have been received from friends in all parts of the state.
Among the special and handsome floral designs sent were one from the Clerk of Court of Guilford county, M.W. Gant, and his assistants of Greensboro; Sorosis Book Club, the members of the bar of Lexington, the local S.A.L. Shop Crafts; American Legion Auxiliary, Women’s Missionary Society of Central Methodist church, the fifth and eight grades of the city schools, the Kindergarten Class of 1922, the Cradle Roll Department of Central Sunday school, and members of the bar of Monroe.
The active pall bearers were: G.M. Beasley, A.L. Monroe, C.C. Sikes, W.C. Sanders, Gilliam Craig, H. Bowles, Clifford Fowler and Code Morgan. The honorary pall bearers were: John Griffith, J.J. Parker, Dr. Neal, W.S. Blakeney, J.C.M. Vann, W.B. Love, W.O. Lemmond, Stephen McIntire, E.C. Winchester, R.F. Beasley, T.C. Lee, Eugene Ashcraft, R.B. Redwine, G.B. Caldwell, W.E. Funderburk, P.H. Johnson, J.B. Simpson, W.C. Cason, L. Austin and Dr. J.M. Blair.
Mrs. Stack is survived by her husband and the following children: L.P. Stack of New York City, Miss Rebecca Stack, Mrs. Robert Galloway of St. Louis, Mrs. Robert Davis of Baltimore, Mr. Morehead Stack, Misses Chattie and Loraine Stack, and Mr. William Stack. All were at home for the funeral except the latter, who belongs to the navy and is stationed in Manilla. A brother, Mr. G.P. Prather of Cushing, Okla., and sister, Mrs. Dixie Gilmer of Helena, Ark., survive.
Mrs. Stack was a native of Surry county, where she was born in November, 1870. She and her husband first lived at Danbury and moved to Monroe in 1899. Since that time she has been a wholesome and sweet influence in the life of the town, touching it intimately in many different phases. First of all she was devoted to her husband and children and to her church, and after that to everything good which came within her influence. Possessed of a well-educated and trained mind, enriched by reading and travel, a temperament of unusual poise and sweetness, and a sound judgment, she contributed something to each friend and group which she came in contact with.
From the first she threw herself into the social and religious activities of the town and for 25 years she maintained her interest and activities among old and young. She lived nobly, thought simply and sincerely and loved broadly. Her household was a happy one with her family and a hospitable one to guests. At various times she served long and well as superintendent of the primary department of Central Methodist church, president of the Parent-Teacher Association and was a member of several book clubs.
In 1908 Mrs. Stack accompanied her husband on a trip around the world, and in 1917 on a trip to Japan and other oriental countries.
From the front page of The Monroe Journal, Friday, April 6, 1923.
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