"Margaret Avant (nee Fite)" was born in DeKalb County, Tenn., June 15, 1805; professed religion and joined the Methodist Church in 1821, in her sixteenth year, and lived a faithful and consistent member until the day of her death, which occurred August 14, 1891, having lived eighty-six years and three months. She was happily united in marriage to Benjamin Avant January 27, 1823. Her husband died a faithful member of the M. E. Church, South, and went home to Heaven January 15, 1875. This noble pair emigrated to Texas in 1856, and located on the Sandies, Gonzales County, in 1857. Eleven children were born to them, and she lived to see them all members of the church. She died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. S. M. Elder, near Cheapside, Texas. Her last words were: 'Farewell, vain world, I'm going home; my Saviour smiles and bids me come.'

She had forty-six grandchildren, one hundred and five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-gandchildren. Her house was a home for Methodist preachers. Her hospitality's were alike bestowed on all preachers who came to her door. The sick, the suffering, and the poor were beneficiaries and objects of her charity. It was the privilege and the pleasure of the writer to visit her house often. She was a devoted Christian, and ever ready to talk about religion and the goodness of her Saviour. For several years she was unable to regularly attend the worship of God, but said her heart was there. A more consistent Christian I never knew. For a long time she had been very feeble, and had gone to her daughter's on a visit. In an effort to move her chair and get up she fell and broke her thigh bone from which she suffered four weeks amid the most intense pain. She asked God if it could be his will, to let her die, and in great peace this Mother in Israel passed into rest, rejoicing in hope of everlasting life. She leaves a large train of relatives and many friends to mourn their loss. She was laid away to rest in the cemetery at Wrightsboro, Texas, to await the Resurrection. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they rest from labor and their works do follow them.

"L. G. Watkins, Leesville Texas"