Obituary for Margaret Ann (Rinaman) Smith (1849-1916)
Uncited clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection" of Doris Martin Jablonski, 1998.

MARGARET ANN SMITH - Born, lived and died sums up the great epitome of life, but language does not contain words to describe the kindly deeds, generous acts and noble purposes as wife, mother and friend that characterized the life of Margaret Ann SMITH who passed from an earthly dwelling to mansions beyond the skies Saturday evening, December 23, 1916. Just as the evening shadows were lengthening into darkness to be made bright by the dawn of a new day on Christmas eve, with her loved ones gathered around her bedside, she closed her eyes as in sleep and Mother was gone. She had been failing in health for some time and it was known that the final summons must come soon. On Wednesday morning she grew worse and the children who in at a distance were notified, one in Washington D. C., one in California and two in St. Louis, all of whom hastened to her bedside. She was born in Baltimore, January 3, 1849, and when a little child came with her parents, Peter and Sophia RINAMAN to the Millwood vicinity where she grew into womanhood. She was married to Welty SMITH March 1, 1870, lacing but a short time of the golden anniversary of a happy union. To this union were born 11 children namely, Dr. Wm. P. SMITH, Prof. B. L. SMITH. Mrs. R. T. BENNETT, O. R. SMITH, O. B. SMITH, V. C. SMITH, T. W. SMITH, H. E. SMITH, V. C. SMITH and Mrs. Ed BOHMER, all of whom with their heart-broken father, fifteen grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters survive her. For more than a quarter of a century she was a consistent member of the M. E. Church during which time her life was characterized by that abiding faith she had in Him who doeth all things well. One by one her children followed her into the church and newborn happiness was added each time.

When her children had grown to manhood and womanhood and began to take their places in the world it was plainly noticeable that grief at their departure was having a telling effect. Quiet and unassuming in manner, kind and sympathetic in all her family relations, ready, willing and anxious to make any sacrifice for those around her, her sweet and sacred influence will continue to grow long after the solemn, dust unto dust, ashes unto ashes, was said over the mound in the cemetery.

The family circle is broken. God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to place her name the first on the scroll of death, emblematic it may be of the position she held in the family, where her sweetness of life was felt by every member. She was conscious until a few hours preceding her death, and she entered into that sleep that knows no awakening with the same calm and peaceful assurance known and loved well by members of her family.

Funeral services were held at the home at 10 o’clock on Christmas morning by Rev. RUSSELL in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives who came to pay their last tribute of respect and love to her memory. At 12:30 she was laid to rest in the cemetery at Troy.

The family chain is broken. As this chain grows shorter of this side link by link it lengthens in the beyond, for the light of her life glitters in the diadem of the Redeemed.
- Her Children

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.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Doris Martin Jablonski, 1 August 1998.

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