Person:Charlotte Drake (1)

This was Charlotte Drake Kennedy's obituary from the Carrollton Chronicle Nov. 19, 1915. A Pioneer passes away. On Saturday last Mrs. Charlotte Kennedy breathed her last at her home 2 1/2 miles east of Carrollton. At the age of 16 she came with her father, mother and

family to Dallas County in 1855 . She had lived in the same community for the past 60 yeas and was all these years a member of the Methodist church, her father, Mr. George D. Drake, and husband James Kennedy, being the founders of the old Webb's Chapel. She was the mother of nine children, six of whom survive her, and partially raised three orphans,

and lived to see fourteen grand and seven great-grand children, a privilege vouchsafed to but few. This good woman belonged to that class, now rapidly disappearing, who made the sacrifices and braved the dangers and underwent the trials which gave this land to the present generation. In her girlhood the country had not a respectable school or church building measured by present day standards. The red man was abroad seeking the white man's blood, and the beasts of pray were in the land. Neighbors were few and far between. Inconveniences were not lacking. But loving hearts and courageous spirits abounded. The girl could take her gun and stand in the door and bid defiance to the marauding band, and men could plow and hoe and chop with the six shooter strapped to their side and "old betsy" hard by, ready for toil or danger. The people of today, speeding in coaches and car over pike and macadam, are thoughtless as to those who made such conditions possible for them. And to that the noble class Sister Kennedy belonged. Her days on earth are past and her words uttered to me a day before her death justified the statement that "She rests well now." For she said "I love to live, but I am ready to die; I have made peace with God."

Her sufferings preceding death were severe and protracted, but she bore it all patiently. Her funeral was conducted by the writer and was largely attended. The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. Soft be thy bed and peaceful be thy slumber, dear old pioneer. And may thy awakening be glorious. D.F . Fuller

1.   Georgia Myers Ogle, MEDI: BookElm Forks Settlements Farmeers Branch and Carrol lton PAREN: Y.
2.   MEDI: Newspaper PAREN: Y.