Lilbourn
honored the memory of J.
H. Tope Monday afternoon by turning out in large numbers at his
funeral held in the First Baptist Church of this city, which was
crowded to its capacity and many were unable to gain admittance.
Between three and four o'clock of that day all of the stores were
closed out of respect.
On
Sunday afternoon preceeding the
remains were taken from the train in which they were conveyed
from St. Louis, where Mr. Tope had died in the Baptist Hospital
at 7:30 Saturday night. A procession started from the depot
headed by a chorus of girls clad in white, then Pastor Wigger,
the casket borne by twelve men followed by Harry and Harold Tope
who were in St. Louis with their father, and a crowd of
sympathizing friends. The remains were in the Tope home over
Sunday night and until taken to the church.
The
floral decorations at the
church were very beautiful and wreaths and sprays were brought in
by four little girls in white dresses and laid upon the casket,
borne by fellow church members and friends of the deceased and
followed by members of the family.
The
services were simple and
comforting to the bereaved, the sermon being preached by Brother
Tope's Pastor, Rev. W. M. Wigger, who feelingly referred to the
Christian life of the deceased, his conversion about a year ago
and elevation to office of deacon and his growth in good works in
that particularly his last few months of life on this earth were
consecrated to the work of the Master. Dr. D. K. Foster, came up
from Caruthersville to attend the funeral and delivered a sermon
prayer that will be long remembered by its hearers.
"Asleep
In Jesus" was sung by a
quartette, composed of Mesdames Mollie Castleberry and Helen
Jones, Prof. I. M. Rubottom and 0. E. Heath. "Beautiful Isle Of
Somewhere" was sung by Mrs. Helen Jones and Miss Dollie Craig.
The choir sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus;" Mrs. G. N. Wilson
played the organ.
T.
C. Knight & Son of Parma,
funeral directors, rendered a most efficient service, freely
commended by all and scores of others performed little acts of
consideration by watching, digging the grave and in many ways
evidenced their kindly affection for deceased and his bereaved
and respected family.
Twenty
three autos followed the
hearse to New Hope Cemetery where, with prayer and song his
mortal remains were laid along side those of his dearly beloved
son, James Jr.
James
H. Tope was born June 25,
1865, at Rockwood, Illinois, to George Washington Tope, an
engineer at that city. He remained in that city working out of it
as a locomotive fireman, until 1912 when he moved with his family
to Mississippi county, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming.
On September 11th, 1889, he was married to Miss Lavica Moore who
survives him and to which union were born: Ike, Ralph, Fred,
Katie, (Mrs. Crosno), Harry and Harold (Twins), James, Jr.,
Leslie and William, all of whom are living except James, who
passed away July 16, 1921. Besides these deceased is survived by
11 grandchildren, 8 boys and 3 girls, a brother W. H. Tope of
Rockford, Illinois; and a sister, Mrs. Chloe Tindall of Chester,
Illinois.
During
the high water of 1912 the
Tope family moved from Mississippi Couty to Lilbourn where they
have resided ever since.
Brother
Tope has gone to his
reward. Peace to his ashes.
The above text
is from
Now
You Know Who That Is, by A.D. Maddux, p. 52
(used with permission). From the Lilborn Herald: Vol. 9, New Madrid County, Missouri. Friday, September 1, 1922.
Go to TOP
Updated by
Donald L. Kear.
Today's date: