The funeral of Mrs. Martha Lewis whose death is mentioned in this column will be held Sunday afternoon at about 3 p.m. and will be at the Decoy Cemetery, six miles from Nacogdoches on the road that runs parallel with the Houston East and West Texas Railroad. Funeral arrangements are in the hands of Cason-Monk & Co.

During Saturday many tokens of condolence and sympathy were received in the Lewis home here and many close friends of the deceased and other members of the family called to pay their respects. The floral offerings are beautiful and abundant.

Like one who at the close of a perfect day in springtime retires for a night of quiet rest and peace, so Martha Lewis, 75, who has been ill the past several weeks, went to rest Friday night and as she slept her gentle spirit tried and weary of mundane things took its flight to that glory land where is no night, no sorrow -- no tears -- no separation of loved ones -- and went to join those whom she loved and who loved her in years that are gone.

Many years ago the writer of this sad tribute wrote the last lines of affection in memory of the husband of this good woman, Isaac Lewis, and ten years ago in memory of a dear daughter, Mrs. Asa Nix, and now with heavy heart and trembling hand he turns to pay the last tribute of love and respect to one he has known so long and loved so well --

The deceased was a daughter of Asa Moore, well-known pioneer citizen who died many years ago. Most of her childhood years were spent in what is now the old Mt. Moriah locality and there she attended the school.

Later the family moved to the locality south of Nacogdoches where the old Moore homestead was located and where the old Towson schoolhouse on the West side of the Lanana Creek was patronized. In that locality Martha Moore grew to splendid womanhood and in her younger years became the bride of Isaac Lewis, member of another old time pioneer family.

This union was peculiarly happy in every respect. To it was born sons and daughters who are an honor and a credit to any community in which they live -- Frank Lewis who has remained with his mother since the death of his father many years ago, to take care of her and minister to her comforts. Mrs. Ed Noble of Beaumont, Mrs. Asa Nix, whose death occurred 10 years ago and who left 4 sons, one of whom has since made his home with his grandmother and who now mourns her going away; Barham Lewis, now in government service in Panama; Mrs. Annie Hillen of Henderson, TX; Henry Lewis of Lufkin; Mrs. Bud Kornegay, wife of a splendid man who died one year ago, George Lewis of Houston, June Lewis of New Mexico, and Mrs. Charles Farr of Nacogdoches.

When the writer of these lines first became acquainted with Mrs. Lewis and her husband Isaac Lewis all these children were at home, and most of them were attending school -- a happy family chain without a single broken link. But as time passed they left the old home nest and scattered far and wide:

They grew in happiness side by side,

They filled each hour with glee,

Now they are scattered far and wide;

By mount, by stream and sea.

And yet as the years passed they came back to the old home, to cheer the passing hours of the mother they loved so well and who has now gone from them to return no more.

Martha Lewis was a splendid woman, a lovable and affectionate mother, and a friend whose was loyal beyond measure. Patient, painstaking, humble, she lived the life of one who has no fear of the future, but whose hopes and aspirations were lifted high above this vale of tears. Her quiet and gentle influence was contagious, and it manifested in her daughters, all fine women and occupying the dignified sphere of exalted womanhood

We shall see Martha Lewis no more. The touch of her gentle hand will be felt no more, nor will her kind voice be heard again, but the influence she left, the life she lived, will be felt as time rolls along, and in the eventide, when the shadows fall on the humble home where she lived so long, her own dear pines will whisper her requiem, and her memory will linger still, like the echo of some dear sweet song.

Let us as we pay the last tribute to this good woman, place on her grave fragrant forget-me-nots, watered by our tears and let us keep her memory green as the years come and go.

Giles M. Haltom