The Burlington Hawk-Eye, page 3, April 28, 1926; Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa:

DEATH OF MRS. LYDIA A. DOTSON.

Mrs. Lydia A. Dotson, an old and well known resident of Louisa county, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George E. Mellenger (sic: Mellinger), Saturday, April 24, 1926, at 5 o'clock in the morning.

Mrs. Dotson was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beir and was born May 24, 1843, at what was then known as Old Florence near Wapello, Iowa, and lived in Fairview neighborhood all her life.

On November 2, 1863, she was united in marriage to David Dotson, who preceded her in death February 18, 1906. To this union was (sic) born the following children: T. A. Dotson of Newport, Iowa, Mrs. George E. Mellenger of Wapello, Iowa, Mrs. W. M. Westfall of Oakville, Iowa, Mrs. G. N. Hobbs of Morning Sun, Iowa, and Willie, deceased, dying in infancy. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Mark Dotson, and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, besides many other relatives.

She was converted in early life and wrote the following testimony with her own hand some time before her death:

Born May 24. 1843. Born anew and converted to God in early childhood; endeavored to live a Christian life up to all the teaching and light that I had then but with a hungering in my soul for more of God's love, and after hearing the gospel preached in its fullness I was enabled to grasp the promise "that those who do hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled" and lo, the promise was fulfilled for I was filled with God's love, and ever since then have felt his presence with me comforting and strengthening to defend what I thought was right and condemn the wrong. Therefore I can exclaim with the Psalmist -- Come and see what the Lord has done for my soul and let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy "and to her was granted that she should forever be at rest, arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saint. May it be said -- "not dead but sleepeth" and also "she has done what she could" therefore shall hear the welcome words of approbation -- "Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for all those that love Him."

She requested that the following poem be read at her funeral. Funeral services were conducted by the pastor. Reverend F. J. Young, at Fairview church. Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Fairview. Pall bearers were grandchildren.

FULLY TRUSTING

I have trusted Him In sunshine,
I have trusted thro' the rain
I have trusted Him in sorrow,
Thro' heart ache and in pain.
His grace has been sufficient.
My needs have been supplied;
And still I'm pressing onward
Till I dwell beyond the tide.

And when the trusting's over,
And battles all are won.
The cross will not seem heavy:
The race that I have run
Will be, but such a little.
Compared to what is given
That they will be forgotten
When I have entered Heaven.

I know not why He left me
I do not understand.
I only seem a burden
To those whom strength is given.
But buckling on the armor
Of patience, faith and hope.
I bear the cross most gladly.
Nor with others try to cope.

But the sweetness of his presence
Could be never understood
Had I not passed thro' trials
Never been beneath the rod;
For the peace which hath abounded
Counteth far ahead in gain
From the petty, little trials,
Disappointments and the pain.

I have heard the angels singing;
I have seen the gates ajar
I have felt the breeze of Heaven
Wafted to me from afar.
Still I'm lying anxiously waiting
For the summons which will come.
Then I'll hear my Master whisper,
"Weary pilgrim, welcome home."

Oh! what joy will be in Heaven
When my Saviour there I greet
And around the throne adore Him
With the saints 1 there shall meet,
Who have gone thro' tribulation,
Washed their robes, so pure, so white,
Loud their notes of praises swelling
To the Lamb which is the Light.