Givens Obituary -- Van Buren County, Arkansas ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Sandra Wright Email: sandrajw@tanet.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From The Van Buren County Democrat----May 13, 1927 Obiturary of-- ZENUS NELSON GIVENS(Van Buren Co. , AR.) May 13, 1927--Scotland News Notes- Uncle Zenus Givens, age 93, departed this life at three-o'clock Saturday afternoon, May 7th. Uncle Zenus was born in Lowndes county, Miss. Sept. 12, 1833. He made a profession of religion at an early day and identified himself with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His life was ever in keep with the profession made. He served through the Civil War, being identified with the Confederacy. For several years prior to his death he had been an invalid. He is survived by one daughter, two grandsons and a host of friends. Interment took place at the Foster cemetery, funeral services being conducted by, Hon. M. B. Lefler of Clinton. Newspaper clipping(unknown newspaper,probably, Van Buren co. Democrat) Obiturary--Florence Givens--1872-1941(Van Buren Co. , AR.) Mrs. Florence Givens who made her home with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Jones of Scotland, died suddenly and seemingly without pain while eating dinner Thursday, July 17. She had been a sufferer of heart trouble for several years, yet her death was a shock since she seemed to be improving. She was born near Caledonia, Miss. June 22, 1972, and was 69 yrs. 25 days old. She came to Arkansas with her parents when about 10 years of age and has lived here in or near this community since, with the exception of a few years spent in Oklahoma. She leaves two sons to mourn her death, Oscar of Gracemont, Okla. and Marvin of Pocassett, Okla. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and five nieces and nephews as follows: Mrs. W.T. White and Mrs. John Riley, Armstead and Gamble Stanley, of Saltillo, Miss., Mrs. Eula Belle Boren of Boston, Ga., Mrs. Frances Berry of Scotland, Mrs. Tishia Lowe of Formosa, George and Exam Egger of Cleveland, Wes Egger of Bixby, Oklahoma, and Ed Egger of Bigelow, Ark. Mrs. Givens made a profession of religion in early life. She was a Christian woman and a good neighbor, always ready and willing to help those in need. She will be sadly missed by her relatives and friends. She was laid to rest at the Foster Cemetery, Saturday, July 19, amid a sorrowing group of relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted by, Eld. S.S. Patton, burial in charge of, Reid's Funeral Home. This is from "THE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST", Vol. 7, No. 5, Martin ,Weakley Co., Tennessee, Friday, Febuary 5, 1892 Obiturary of THOMAS M. MASSEY (Van Buren Co., Ar.) Thomas M. Massey, son of Henry and Susan A. Massey, was born, Nov. 20, 1867 and died Nov. 11, 1891. Lacking only 9 days of being 24 years old. He was born in Monroe Co. , Mississippi and was raised in Van Buren Co., Arkansas, his father having moved to this state when he was very small. His father and mother are members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Tommie was a stout young man and was a noble-hearted youth; was teaching school at the time of his misfortune; he happened to hit his leg just below the knee joint, against the end of one of the seats and it caused inflamation and ran into white swelling and blood poision. After suffering untold misery for a period of seven or eight weeks, death came to his relief. He often expressed a desire to get well, but said if it was the good Lord's will to call him away from time to eternity , that he was not afraid to die, that he put all of his trust in God. He has often talked with the writer about his future state, having related to me his reason of a hope in Christ. Tommie was my true and faithful friend and I loved him as a brother, but he is gone where the voice of friendship cannot disturb, his peaceful repose. I have not a doubt but his spirit is now in the land of the blessed. He became a member of the M.E. Church about four years prior to his death, though he often expressed himself to the writer as being firm in the belief of the Primitive Baptist faith, believing that salvation was by grace without works. A day or so before he died he called his brothers and sisters around his bed and admonished them to live right and said that he wanted to meet them all in Heaven, where parting would be no more. He died in Scotland, Arkansas, at his father's home, his father having rented out his farm and moved to Scotland, to educate him and he had made rapid progress in his studies. Tommie was the only single child and the youngest boy and his parents doted on him very much and they thought he would be with them in their old age, but alas! death! the grim monster, came and blighted all of their hopes. Brother Cayce, we have not the space to portray all the excellency of this noble youth, suffice, it to say that he was true and manly in all his acts. If he had an enemy on earth we have no knowledge of it; he leaves a kind and loving father and mother , brothers and sisters to mourn his death. We sympathize and extend our condolence to the sorrowing relatives and friends, but would remind them that their loss is, Brother Tommie's eternal gain. And may the Lord sanctify the same to your good is our prayer for Jesus sake. S.A. Stanley Scotland, Ark., Dec. 23, 1891 P.S. Brother Cayce, please publish the following piece of poetry in connection with this obituary, written by his sister, Mrs. Safronia Lindsey. S.A.S.(Samuel Armstead Stanley) Thou mighty God and King Who reigns supreme above O condescend to bring Some tokens of thy love To one who would thy constant care, Thy favors and thy blessings share Thou never-failing friend Help me my griefs to bear, Thy Holy Spirit send To chase away all fear-- May I from every creature flee And take my sorrows Lord to thee. However dark the way, Till all my course is run-- Teach me O Lord to say: Father thy will be done: May all to thee I resign, Assure me Lord that I am thine. At last may I be found Among the happy band And join to sing thy praise In glory's happy land: There my I clasp Brother Tommie's hand Forever with thee to reign.