In Memory of W.J. Roddy

Unknown Newspaper
April 1910

W.J. Roddy was born August 19th, 1867, died April 9th, 1910; was married to Miss Dora Womack in 1888 and they lived happy for some years but God called the good wife away; four children had blessed this home, and Mr. Roddy was left alone to care for these little ones, but he fought the battle bravely and with good success.

In 1903 Mr. Roddy was married to Miss Sallie Caviss and two sweet children came to them, and just ten days before Mr. Roddy’s death God called their baby boy just two years old. Mr. Roddy said it almost broke his heart to part with this sweet baby but “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” and as he stood by and saw his baby depart he said, “he is gone, good bye darling papa will come soon.” Mr. Roddy was a good man, but not a christian and when he was taken sick he saw it was time to make a change so he prayed and called on his friends to pray for him and in the darkest hour of his life the light came; he feared not death for he knew that it was rest for his weary soul; he regretted his past life that he had not become a christian and united with the church. It was his greatest desire to be baptized but his condition would not permit; he also wanted to see his dear old mother once more and tell her as he told each friend that stood around his bed goodbye, that he was going home to rest forevermore.

“Farewell, farewell, a sad farewell, no more thy face we see;
No balm can heal, no tongue can tell, the sorrow left for thee.
Our sigh must speak the last farewell, bereaved tho’ we be;
We would not break the holy spell that sweetly rests on thee.

O, sweet shall be thy slumber here, and calm they peaceful breast,
Beyond the reach of earthly care, they soul has found its rest.
Farewell, farewell, a sad farewell, we breath it o’er and o’er;
Till round His throne at Jesus feet, we meet to part no more.”
Gertie Starnes

Note: W.J. Roddy is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery next to his young son, Lewis Rhea Roddy.