Elder John Abram Racer, 93, Luray's oldest citizen, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W.E. Yates, on Cave Street, in East Luray, at 12:30 Saturday morning, December 15th, after several months of ill health.
He was the son of the late Elder John A. Racer and Frances Heiston Racer, and was born in Rappahannock County, near Washington, Va., on July 19, 1852.
His parents moved to Page County in his infancy and his childhood was spent here.
In early manhood he moved to Ohio where he married Miss Emma Musselman, of Licking County, Ohio. Later, he moved to Missouri, finally coming back to Page County.
To this union were born two sons, Walter and Seymour Racer, of York, Pa.; both deceased.
He then married Mrs. Sara Rowe Colvin, of near Luray, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. William (Grace) Jenkins, of York, Pa., and Mrs. W.E. (Sallie) Yates, of Luray, who survive.
Later he married Miss Sallie Butler, who preceded him in death about seventeen years ago.
Elder Racer was one of the oldest and most highly respected ministers of the Dunkard Brethren Church, having served several churches in Page and Rappahannock Counties. His period of service dates back to the "horseback era" and he delighted in his work. In connection with his work as a minister, he served 30 years as a practical nurse, and his services were continually in demand.
He had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Yates, since 1929 and was in his usual health until last September when he sustained a bad fall, and his health has declined steadily since.
In his last days he was tenderly nursed by his two daughters and Mrs. Mary E. Mauck. He was the oldest member of a family of seven children, and is survived by one sister, Mrs. William (Mary) Kibler, 94, of Luray, and one brother, William Racer, 83, of York Springs, Pa., fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
His deceased brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Perry (Martha) Finter, of Luray, Mrs. Samuel (Susan) Early, of Broadway, Mrs. Noah (Sallie) Cline, of Broadway. One step daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Mamie) Griffith, is also deceased.
The funeral was conducted from Beahm's Chapel on Monday, December 17th, at 2 p.m. The services were conducted by Elder L.B. Flohr, of Vienna, Va., assisted by Elder Ord Strayer, also of Vienna, and Elder Thomas Bowman, of Port Republic.
Interment was in Beahm's Chapel Cemetery.
Elder John Abram Racer, 93, Luray's oldest citizen, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W.E. Yates, on Cave Street, in East Luray, at 12:30 Saturday morning, December 15th, after several months of ill health.
He was the son of the late Elder John A. Racer and Frances Heiston Racer, and was born in Rappahannock County, near Washington, Va., on July 19, 1852.
His parents moved to Page County in his infancy and his childhood was spent here.
In early manhood he moved to Ohio where he married Miss Emma Musselman, of Licking County, Ohio. Later, he moved to Missouri, finally coming back to Page County.
To this union were born two sons, Walter and Seymour Racer, of York, Pa.; both deceased.
He then married Mrs. Sara Rowe Colvin, of near Luray, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. William (Grace) Jenkins, of York, Pa., and Mrs. W.E. (Sallie) Yates, of Luray, who survive.
Later he married Miss Sallie Butler, who preceded him in death about seventeen years ago.
Elder Racer was one of the oldest and most highly respected ministers of the Dunkard Brethren Church, having served several churches in Page and Rappahannock Counties. His period of service dates back to the "horseback era" and he delighted in his work. In connection with his work as a minister, he served 30 years as a practical nurse, and his services were continually in demand.
He had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Yates, since 1929 and was in his usual health until last September when he sustained a bad fall, and his health has declined steadily since.
In his last days he was tenderly nursed by his two daughters and Mrs. Mary E. Mauck. He was the oldest member of a family of seven children, and is survived by one sister, Mrs. William (Mary) Kibler, 94, of Luray, and one brother, William Racer, 83, of York Springs, Pa., fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
His deceased brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Perry (Martha) Finter, of Luray, Mrs. Samuel (Susan) Early, of Broadway, Mrs. Noah (Sallie) Cline, of Broadway. One step daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Mamie) Griffith, is also deceased.
The funeral was conducted from Beahm's Chapel on Monday, December 17th, at 2 p.m. The services were conducted by Elder L.B. Flohr, of Vienna, Va., assisted by Elder Ord Strayer, also of Vienna, and Elder Thomas Bowman, of Port Republic.
Interment was in Beahm's Chapel Cemetery.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement