OBITUARY: Arvilla Knighten Hunter, Talent, Jackson County, Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elizabeth Corethers 15 Jun 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail, Friday, 6 Aug 1897, p. 6, c. 3-4 IN MEMORY OF MRS. J. A. HUNTER Wednesday morning of last week, at Talent, saw a sad gathering of relatives, friends and sympathizing neighbors, meeting to pay the last tribute of respect to the young wife who was so suddenly called into eternity. In the death of Mrs. Hunter the words spoken from the pulpit a few days before seemed prophetic. "Some one of us will go into eternity first, and it will be the one we least expect." Out to hear Brother Shuck preach Sunday afternoon, jointing in the singing and making special mention of her favorite hymns to her friends, going into Ashland Monday morning, the very embodiment of health and happiness, the evening finding her bruised and senseless by her fall from the carriage, and hurried sending of messenger to and fro for husband, father, brothers and other relatives who were away, the silent going out of the spirit from the earthly tabernacle in the earl morning, then the sad homecoming of the young husband and mother with the remains on Tuesday evening, for the father had not yet arrived, all seemed to fairly paralyze the community. People have seemed too busy to barely stop and pray in their homes; but Wednesday as they gathered in little groups at the church, in the streets, or went to and fro, from the residence, where by tears and hand clasps they expressed their sympathy for the bereaved ones, and awaited the arrival of the still absent father, to begin the funeral services, they seemed only to remember that death comes, regardless of seedtime or harvest. And many times was the thought expressed that it was not one unprepared who had been called so suddenly away. At one o'clock the remains were taken to the Baptist Church, while the church bell slowly tolled and the organ softly gave out the tones of "Nearer, My God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee," as the people were being seated. "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me," was the first hymn. After Scripture reading and prayer, "Meekly Wait and Murmur Not" was next sung. Then Rev. S. A. Shuck delivered a very earnest, timely and forcible address from Rev, Chap. 20, 12th verse, "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life' and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." While the remains were being viewed for the last time by friends and relatives, "Awake, My Soul, in Joyful Lays" was sung between sobs and tears. These three hymns she had sung the previous Sunday as her favorite ones, saying especially to her mother that she thought "Rock of Ages" so appropriate for funerals. The remains, followed by a large number of sympathizing friends, were taken tot he cemetery in Phoenix where Rev. S. A. Shuck delivered the usual burial services closing with sacred songs, "I Must Walk Through the Valley and the Shadow," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and "God Be with You 'Til We Meet Again."The church had been especially decorated with flowers and vines, and the grave was covered with floral offerings from friends. Mrs. Arvilla Hunter was born in Forest Grove, Washington County, Oregon, and was 29 years, one month and thirteen days old when she died. She was a member of the Methodist Church, of Trail creek, and not a week previous to her death had said she was trying to live a Christian life. Among those who deeply mourn her sudden departure are her husband, Mr. J. A. Hunter, her little boy, Willie, aged nine years, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Knighten, two brothers, Charles Knighten, of Flounce Rock, and Ed. Knighten, of Trail creek, also an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mayfield, of Ashland, and their two sons, Johnnie and J. H. Mayfield.