Margaret Amanda Lewis, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Lewis, was born in the town of Almond, near Alfred, Allegany County, New York, January 24, 1838, and died at her home in Farina, Illinois, December 30, 1907, after an illness of several months. She was baptized in early girlhood and united with the Alfred church. She lived upon the farm on which she was born until her marriage, May 30, 1861, with Charles A. Burdick, then pastor of the Third Genesee church, by whose side she stood as a wise and faithful counselor during the pastorates of eight different churches, and with whom she was associated as teacher in select schools at Salem and Rockford, West Virginia. She was a person of unusually cheerful disposition, always looking on the bright side. This was an inestimable blessing to her family. She was an exceptionally unselfish, self-sacrificing and patient wife and mother, and her family are thankful beyond words for such a life lived among them so many years. In January,1887, her husband came to Farina as pastor of the Seventh-day Baptist church. From that time until her death she was closely identified with the work of the church. She was a true helper to her husband as pastor; a good hearer of the preached word; a good and faithful teacher in the Sabbath School; an inspiring witness in the prayer meeting; and very conscientious in life and in service. Her interest in temperance reform partly found expression in the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, she having been president of the local organization for several years. Sister Burdick is survived by her husband and four children: Mrs. Adelle Howard, Arthur and Clara Burdick of Farina, and Alfred Burdick of Connecticut. Farewell services were held at the Seventh-day Baptist church at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, December 31. The members of the Sabbath School class of which she was teacher, and of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union sat with the mourners. The pastor of the church was assisted in the services by Eld. L. D. Seager.
