Mr. J.J. Farris, a prominent citizens of High Point for 35 years, died suddenly last Thursday night just after completing a speech at a Rotarian banquet at the Sheraton Hotel in High Point, at which he accepted a parchment bearing this inscription, “Presented to J.J. Farris as a token of appreciation for his untiring efforts in upbuilding this city. Rotary club of High Point, September 27, 1923.”
Mrs. Farriss was away in Washington at the time of the death and his two older sons were in school at Trinity.
The deceased was born September 28, 1865. He was married twice, first to Miss Laura Stamey, daughter of Rev. P.F. Stamey, at one time presiding elder in the western North Carolina M.E. conference. After her death, he married Miss Nannie Wood, a daughter of Dr. Frank H. Wood, who was a minister in the M.E. church, South, and some of the time presiding elder.
His wife and three sons, James and Charles Farriss, students at Trinity College, and Carter Farriss of High Point survive him. Also a brother, Dr. Charles Farriss, a Baptist minister of DeLand, Florida, survives.
Mr. Farriss was active in religious circles, being teacher of the Farriss Bible Class of the First Baptist Church and a member of the board of deacons of that church.
Mr. Farriss edited the High Point Enterprise, a weekly paper, for many years and afterwards changed it to a daily paper. He was appointed postmaster of High Point during President Wilson’s first administration and held it until after the present administration came in. Mr. Farris established the Furniture and Trade Journal of High Point and published it for many years, finally disposing of it. Four or five years ago he established the High Point News, one of the weekly leading papers.
Mr. Farriss took a lively interest in church matters as well as building up the community in which he lived. No man has ever done so much for High Point as Mr. Farris. He devoted practically his whole time for many years in making High Point a city. No man ever died in High Point or in any other community in North Carolina whose death was more greatly mourned. He was the foremost citizen of High Point. The reason he was not rich was because he loved and appreciated something else as of more value than money. He cared little for money.
In paying tribute to his memory Rev. Mr. Clark closed as follows:
Time and again have we heard him say: “Any man can make money if he will set his mind in that direction, but there is something else better for a man to work than money, and that is to try to inspire in the souls of others true and noble ideals.”
Had he given half the time and thought to his own business as he gave for the betterment of his town he would have been a rich man.
On the last evening of his life, while enjoying a banquet in his honor by his fellow members of the Rotary club, words of love and confidence and appreciation were spoken by many of his friends for the untiring efforts which he had given to the growth and progress of the city. When these friends had concluded their remarks Farris responded in these beautiful and commendable words:
“When my doctor tells me that I am well, I shall ask for the opportunity, fellow Rotarians, of expressing my gratitude and deep appreciation for the kind words spoken about me by this club, and for the beautiful parchment testimonial which you have so kindly given me. The gift will be cherished as long as I live. In my humble way I have added to the upbuilding of this city which I love so well, and if in so doing any of you have benefitted materially, I am happy. There is neither malice nor envy in my heart for any man. I love every one of you—you know it—but I like to tell you so. We think of the mystery of life; we ponder over the mystery of death, but the greatest of all mysteries is the mystery of love.”
And having said this, the last public utterance of his life, he quietly left the room and his friends, and in five minutes he had passed beyond the mists and clouds through the vesper gates of God into the Presence Divine, and we stook in hushed reverence as we realized that
His sunset here in sunrise far
In Gloryland.
Surprised, the soul in rapture rare
Shall understand.
Through faith in Christ supernal,
Twill live the life eternal,
‘Tis dying here, but rising there,
In Gloryland.
The funeral service was conducted by Rev. James A. Clarke of the First Baptist Church, of which the deceased was a member and an officer, and Rev. E.K. McLarty, pastor of Wesley Memorial Episcopal church, and Rev. W.A. Lambeth of Gastonia, was to have assisted but was prevented because of ill health.
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Third Member of Fox Family Dies
The death of little Miss Mary Etta Fox, daughter of the late Dr. T.I. and Mrs. Annie Staley Fox, of Franklinville, marked the third death in the Fox family during the past month.
Dr. T.I. Fox, the first to respond to the call, died at Memorial hospital in Asheboro. In less than two weeks, his sister, Miss Cora Fox, died at the home of her brother, Dr. L.M. Fox. The little girl, while not entirely well, was able to be at the funeral of her aunt. She was in second grade at school and was a bright, attractive little girl.
The entire community expresses sympathy for those who have sustained such a great loss during the past month.
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Burial of Mary Etta Fox at Franklinville
The burial of little Miss Mary Etta Fox, attractive daughter of the late Dr. Thomas I. Fox and Mrs. Annie Staley Fox, who died at the Fox home in Franklinville at 3 o’clock Thursday morning, was held from the residence Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Little Miss Fox was ill only two days with tonsilitis. She was 7 years of age and had attended school two years, being the brightest pupil in the second grade this year. Mary Etta was a wonderful character and was loved by both young and old. This lovely child was one of the most interested members of the Baptist Sunday school at Franklinville and was always present when possible.
Wonderful tributes were paid the little girl at the funeral services by Rev. Scott of the Methodist church and Rev. S.L. Morgan of the Baptist church. Rev. B.A. Barringer of Melanchton Lutheran church assisted in the services.
Misses Kate Marley and Mary Moon and Messrs. R.D. Garrison and Joe Buie sang the favorite hymns of this little girl. Twenty-two girls from the Franklinville High School were flower bearers and the floral designs were beautiful. Messrs. John W. Clark, W.D. Maner, Joe T. Buie and George Patterson were pallbearers.
A short service was held at the Melanchton church near Liberty before the burial took place in Melanchton cemetery, the funeral and burial services being largely attended.
Little Miss Fox is survived by her mother and the following brothers and sisters: Misses Elizabeth, Cora Mae, Dorothy, and Annie Maria Fox, and Messrs. Joe and Herbert Fox.
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Samuel Ferree Buried at Old Home Church
The body of Samuel Ferree, who died in Elberta, Canada, arrived in Asheboro last Friday and was taken to Browers where burial followed. Mr. Ferree’s body was on the way for more than a week and his relatives and friends were in a state of anxiety and expectancy. Two of hie brothers, O.R. and A.T. from Louisiana and Oklahoma arrived from their respective homes several days prior to the arrival of the body. A large crowd attended the burial service. Mr. Ferree was the son of the late James Ferree.
From the front page of the Asheboro Courier, Oct. 4, 1923
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