Obituary for Nellie McKay Childers (1859-1928)
aka Eleanor Lea Childers
Uncited clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection" of Doris Martin Jablonski, 1998.

CHILDERS, Eleanor Lea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. and Euphemia WELLS McKAY, was born three miles west of Troy, July 18, 1859. She died suddenly June 28, 1928, from a heart attack. She was married March 10, 1886 to Henry F. CHILDERS, and leaves besides her husband, the following of the immediate family; one son, Elihu R., his wife, Mabel S., their daughter Dorothy Nell; two daughters, Eleanor Lea and Jessie C. And the latter’s husband, Derwood E. WILLIAMS. One daughter died in infancy and one at the age of three years. There remains also, one sister, Mrs. John C. OBERT of Globe, Arizona, and one brother, Read McKAY of Los Angeles, besides many nephews and nieces. 

Funeral services were conducted in Troy Baptist church Monday afternoon by the pastor, Rev. N. N. SMELSER, assisted by Rev. J. F. BREEN, of Carlinville, Ill., after which the remains were tenderly laid to rest in the family lot in Troy’s beautiful city of the dead.

A beautiful spirit has passed from earth to that City of God "where the gates swing outward never."

All of her long, busy and useful life was spent in this community. She loved her friends and was always happy when she could serve them and enjoy their companionship. She especially loved young people and her home was always open for them. Best of all, she loved her home and those nearest to her heart. Lovingly, most unselfishly and joyously she ministered to her household whose happiness and welfare were her chief delight. She loved flowers, the woods and the hills, the handiwork of her God and was delighted by the pictures in nature which greeted her on trips to the West and to the Ozarks in the past few years.  Her gentle spirit and unselfish disposition touched the lives of many in the 69 years which her Divine Master gave to her to labor here on earth. To those of us who loved her most, it will be a sacred joy forever to realize that all who knew her were her friends, young and old, white and black. Their great regard was attested by the large audience which gathered at the church to pay the last tribute of respect. She united with Troy Baptist church in her early womanhood and was loyal to her church and its pastors to the time of her death.

This is the brief record of a life that was joyous and happy and which overflowed with good deeds toward others. Her dearly beloved ones did not turn away from the open grave with a hopeless sorrow. We recalled with joy the many years during which wife and mother had made of our home a heaven on earth. We bless the Supreme Ruler for having given to us the influence and love of such a fine personality. She smoothed so many rough places for us along the journey. She ministered to our needs and shared with us our joys. While the sorrow of separation is deep and poignant, we rejoice in the recollection of her companionship. She is now happy with the loved ones gone before and we are confident that she has taken her place in the busy eternal life which Christ the Lord has provided for all who love Him. A happy reunion awaits those who are now bereft - a joyous day, "over there". With the sacred memories of our loved one and the comfort which her Lord promised, we take up the duties of life, day by day, actuated, we trust by the motives which made her life so beautiful.

Note regarding clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection":   Mattie Davis Martin (1875-1943) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO.   She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents.  The majority of the clippings were without citation, and kept stored in an old purse. Doris Martin Jablonski, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion on our Lincoln County Heritage/Records Page.

Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Doris Martin Jablonski, 22 August 1998. Link change or update: 23 May 2000

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