Death of Mrs. W.B. Richardson.

The sad intelligence of the death of MRS. ELIZABETH RICHARDSON, reached Jackson last Sunday morning from Newton, where she had resided for several years. Deceased was the wife of Mr. W.B. Richardson, daughter of Thos. E. Helm, Esq., and the sister of Mrs. J. H. Odeneal. She was universally beloved, and her sudden death was a great shock to the people of Newton and to her numerous friends here. She had been in feeble health for some time, but last week was able to attend to her usual duties. Her father and brother were paying her a visit, and she was looking forward with special pleasure to a visit from her former pastor, Rev. Dr. Hunter and his wife, who left Jackson on Saturday last, expecting to be in Newton that night. They did not get to Newton until six o'clock Sunday morning, and, as they entered the house, Mrs. Richardson was dying. She had been ill only a few hours, and died of congestion. Her remains were brought to this city, and her funeral took place from the Presbyterian church on Monday afternoon, when her pastor spoke of the virtues that adorned her beautiful life, and paid to her memory the tribute which it so well deserved.

"In Heaven, if never here, the hopes we cherish,
The flowers of human lives we count as lost,
Will live again, such beauty cannot perish,
And Heaven has no trust."

* * * * *
IN MEMORIAM.

The unexpected tidings of the sudden death of MRS. W.B. RICHARDSON gave pain to many hearts in this community, for some of us had known and loved her long "mid sunshine and in tears."

She was born in Holmes county, but her father, Col. T.E. Helm, moved his family to this place when she was but a little child, so that her youth and early womanhood were spent among us.

Memory bears the hearts of many schoolmates and friends back to the gentle, loving "Lizzie Helm" of other days.
Among other fine traits of character, her grand efficiency in the sick room, was developed almost in childhood, and today there is in my mind a picture of her fair brow encircled with its unusual wealth of chestnut curls, bending over to administer some remedy, or to apply a soothing lotion to a suffering relative or friend, in a manner which would have done credit to a silver haired matron. This was a God-given talent which she exercised through her love for humanity and entire forgetfulness of self.

Though naturally shrinking and unwilling to intrude her opinions upon others, her convictions were strong and clear, and, when once decided as to the right path, there was not found a will strong enough to cause her to swerve from the path of duty.

This dear friend was married in 1872 to Mr. W.B. Richardson, a nephew of the late Col. Ed. Richardson. She then became the sympathetic, affectionate, and idolized wife, as she had been ever the loved and loving daughter, sister, and friend. She presided for a time over her father's house, after her sweet mother had been "called up higher."

At the time of her death, she was living at her own home in Newton, where love, comfort, and luxury had combined to make it all that a home should be, and where her kind and generous nature had inspired the love and friendship of her neighbors around.

Mrs. Richardson left no children of her own, but had bestowed on her brother's son and daughter, all the love that a mother's heart could suggest. Not trusting to the merits of her own pure life, she had long given her heart to the Saviour, and we know that "He is able to keep that which she has committed to His charge."

"We know that she is safe on the other side,
Where all the ransomed and angels be,
Over the river, the mystic river,
My childhood's friend is waiting for me."

A Friend.
April 6, 1886.
The Clarion, Jackson, MS, April 7, 1886.

[Obituary provided by Paul Armstrong.]