Nathaniel Robert Funderburk, eighty-nine, Winnsboro, La., was born February 28, 1848, at Farmerville, La.; died August 11, 1937. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Caroline Nolan, March 17, 1872. To this union eleven children were born, eight of whom survive, and his wife, who is eighty-five years old. The children are: Sam D., West Monroe; Dr. Vern J., Winnsboro; Miss Hattie, Winnsboro; N. R., Wisner; A. J., Winnsboro; Mrs. Bessie Mosely, Columbia; Dr. Joe Funderburk, Winnsboro; and Minor M., Sterlington, La. He was buried at Wards Chapel Church, which he organized in his first ministry in Louisiana. He obeyed the gospel on July 4, 1868, at Lonesome Dove Church, near Birdsville, Texas, two miles east of Fort Worth, in a meeting held by Brethren Terrel Jasper and P. C. Cheek. There he began reading the Gospel Advocate, which he has done ever since. In July, 1877, at Mr. Jordans home, he preached his first sermon. He used 1 Cor. 13:1 as the text. His wife and three little boys were present. The next year he went blind. He preached regularly until the summer of 1927, then occasionally until the spring of 1933, when he held his last service at Rocky Branch. Thousands of souls were turned to Christ during his ministry, and he was very devoted to the Lords work. He kept a small country store to help bear the expenses. His first store was in Union Parish; then at Cedarton and Hico, in Lincoln; and last at Vixen, in Caldwell, between the years 1883 and 1903. On April 29, 1863, at Pineville, La., he enlisted in the War Between the States. He was discharged May 21, 1865, at Grand Ecore, serving in Crescent Regiment Company L, under Captain Mouton, Kirby E. Smith Command, of Louisiana Division.

He was buried near his parents, as he requested, in Wards Chapel Cemetery, near Farmerville, La. Services were conducted by Willie Brantley, who knew him from childhood. He requested the Scripture to be read and his favorite songs sung before he passed. The songs were rendered by McCulleh Quartet, of Farmerville, very impressively. -- Gospel Advocate, October 14, 1937, page 983.