Saturday morning, September 30^th, at an early hour, the pure, gentle spirit of my father passed from this life into the great beyond. Though his death was not unexpected, yet it came with a crushing blow. For several weeks we had feared the worst, yet it seemed that we could not become reconciled to give him up. Only those who have passed through the same trial can fully realize how we felt. He had always livd such an exemplary life: always so gentle and kind; such a tender, devoted husband and father- oh, what a vacancy in the home! Everywhere we turn we miss him. How we will miss his sweet council!

How patiently and lovingly dear mother waited by his sick bedside; and his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends seemed to vie with each other in gratifying his every wish- all, it seemed, was done that loving hands could do to keep him longer. But the blessed Savior, whom he loved and in whom he put all his trust, had prepared a place for him in that happy clime; and now he had come to claim his own, bearing his happy spirit away from a lite of suffering to one of perfect bliss.

Ezekiel McWhorter was the youngest son of Wm. And Susanna McWhorter, and was born in Butler county, Ga., May 30^th, 1829. He came with his parents to Alabama while quite young and was there one year, removed to Smith county, Miss., in 1843, where he lived four years, and moved to Scott county in 1847, making this county his home the rest of his life, except one year spent in Jones county. He was marriage to Miss M. A. E. Weems September 28^th, 1854, with whom he spent fifty-seven years and two days of a happy, contented life. There were born to them eleven children, six boys and five girls. Two boys and one girl preceded him to the grave; leaving four boys and four girls, with the dear wife, fourteen grandchildren, one great-grandchildren, one sister, several nephews and nieces, together with a host of friends to mourn his absence. He joined the Primitive Baptist church in May, 1870, and was baptised by Elder J. G. Crecelius at Antioch church. He was a soldier in the late war, and surrendered at Blakely, Ala., April 9^th, 1865; was shot and wounded on that day, which caused him much suffering at times during the rest of his life.

The names of his children who survive him are: V. A. McWhorter of Laurel; Dr. W. H. McWhorter of Burns; Mrs. Albertine Halbert of Norris; Mrs. Anna Windham, of Homewood; and Mrs. Ann L. Amason, W. L. McWhorter, O. L. McWhorter, and Miss Mattie G. McWhorter, at home.

Dear father was spared to the ripe old age of eighty-two years and three months. Since the close of the war he was almost a constant sufferer, but he always bore his suffering with Christian grace; and though he lingered long in his last illness, we always found him the same- always ready to speak in praise of his great Redeemer. Almost daily he was heard to say, ‘Wonderful counselor!’ when his countenance would light up with a happy smile and he would praise the Lord until his voice would give way. Once he asked us to sing a hymn, and then he sang one clear and sweet, without a tremor. Twice he told those around him that he saw heaven, and said he saw the Saviour and embraced him, showing us how he embraced him with his dear, feeble arms. Oh, he was so happy, ‘twas like a little heaven below to witness his rejoicing. (I pause for language to describe the happy scene.) This scripture seemed to be verified: "At evening time it shall be light." It was manifest that the light of a Savior’s love shed its radiance around him; the nearer the close, the more radiant it seemed- nothing to mar the serenity of the hour. His faith was strong in the dear Saviour, who had promised to be with his children in the sixth trouble and in the seventh would not forsake them, realizing the fullness of his power to fulfill all his promises. He often told dear mother during his illness that he wished to go home, and as the time drew near he seemed to view that sweet home in all its fullness- would sometimes seem to be listening to sweet strains of music, and would motion those around him to be silent. When asked where he was suffering, he would say: "I am perfectly easy; I am just as happy as I can be."

As death drew near and his speech failed, mother asked him to speak to her once more, and he feebly lifted his eyes to hers and gave her a sweet smile of recognition. As we kneeled beside his bed, I said: "Pa, I want you to tell us more about that ‘wonderful counselor’," Then he turned his face to me, and the happy smile again passed over his dear face. He seemed to look for me to speak again, and I said: "Pa, we are looking for that day when we’ll meet around the throne." Oh, he was so happy!- he seemed just poising for flight to the arms of his blessed Redeemer.

His remains were carried to High Hill cemetery. Kind hands gently laid his prcious body to rest there, to await the resurrection of the just. Funeral services were conducted by Elder E. L. Hightower, of Forest, of the Missionary Baptist church.

May the God of heaven grant that when He comes to make up His jewels we may each be among the ransomed throng, where we can join those loved ones in endless praises to His name.

Written by his loving daughter, Mrs. Anna E. Windham, Homewood, Miss.