On Thursday, November 17th, 1904, J.N. Stovall, by the hand of death was divested of the fetters of dull mortality, unwrapped the drapery of his couch around him and laid himself down to pleasant dreams. He was 46 years of age, was born in Franklin County, Tenn., came to Texas in 1870, was married to Miss Nannie Runnels in 1881. He professed faith in Christ and joined the Baptist church at Pleasant GRove, during Bro. Dunns meeting in 1888, was ordained deacon in said church and thus lived and died, and like the great prophet Elijah in his chariot of fire, and his vision of Heaven, he left to kindred and friends the mantle of his precious memory the delightful legacy of a pure spotless character. In his early life he was an obedient and dutiful son, a considerate and affectionate brother. In after years a loving, devoted and indulgent husband and father, a faithful generous friend and a noble-hearted loyal Christian.

Bro. Stovall's life was an unusually quiet, serene and peaceful one. He was industrious, gentle and kind, and I'm sure that he never had an unpleasant feeling or trouble of any kind with a friend or neighbor in all his life. He was one of the most perfect men I ever knew, and though we say of him now he is dead yet his influence lives to bless mankind and his soul lives today in the glorified home bought with the precious blood of the Jesus he loved and trusted. His illness was brief. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn his loss. Dear ones we would not ask you to stay your tears, but remember that God took him he needed him in Heaven. He left to you the sweet fragrance of a precious memory, the infinite grandeur of a pious godly life, and better still the sweet assurance that his spirit lives in the beautiful and bright Beyond.

A friend,
B.P. Layne

Note: James Newton Stovall is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery with no marker. He was born June 1858 and died November 17, 1904.