Pub. Times-Leader, January 24, 1935

MRS. W. A. McELVAIN DIED SUDDENLY

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Beloved Woman Passed Away At Her Home Here Monday Afternoon

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        The residents of this city were both shocked and grieved to learn of the sudden death of one of McLeansboro's most highly esteemed gentlewomen, Mrs. W. A. McElvain, at her home on North Washington Street Monday afternoon.  Mrs. McElvain had been in poor health for some time.  She was said to have been writing a letter at the time of her death.

        She is survived by her husband, Walter A. McElvain, her daughter, Mrs. Martha Pickens of this city, and her grandson, Richard E. Pickens, of Henderson, Ky.

        Funeral services were held at the First M. E. Church Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 2 o'clock p.m. Rev. C. H. Carlton, the pastor officiated.  Interment took place in the Odd Fellows cemetery of this city.

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OBITUARY

        Margaret G. Meador, daughter of Joel G. and Jane Meador, was born Feb. 5, 1859, and passed away at her home on North Washington Street, McLeansboro, Illinois, Jan. 21, 1935.

        She lived her entire life on the site of her present home.  Here she grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the schools of the city, and Hamilton College, under the tutelage of the president, W. I. Davis.

        She was united in marriage to Walter A. McElvain on January 7, 1885.  The ceremony was performed at the residence of Benjamin F. Gullic by Rev. J. T. Pender, then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The couple lived happily together for more than fifty years, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, but a few weeks ago.

        This union was blessed with three children, Joel McElvain, who passed away in infancy at the age of two and one-half years on Aug. 5, 1892; Mrs. Martha Pickens of this city, and John McElvain, who departed this life Oct. 12, 1932.

        She was baptized into the M. E. Church when only a few weeks old, just shortly before the old frame church building was destroyed by fire in the year of 1859.  So she has worshipped in all three buildings that has housed the M. E. Church in this city.  Her service in the church was faithful and lifelong; and only the Heavenly Father knows the greatest of her reward.  She was interested in her church to the very end, always glad to do her duty even when it taxed her strength.

        In addition to her church life, she was also an active citizen of her community and country.  She stood for the highest Christian and moral standards.  She was active in the many different societies of the community, serving as president of Chapter O of the P. E. O., was a member of the Pythian Sisters and the Woman's Club.

        In her passing, the church and the organizations to which she belonged have sustained a distinct loss.  She was a devoted wife and mother, and a loyal, consistent Christian; and a valuable member of the civic and fraternal organizations of which she was a member.