The True Democrat.
Bayou Sara, Louisiana
September 12, 1908
Page 5
Death of Mrs. Ryland.
Mrs. Mary Lane Ryland died at her home, Rosebank plantation West Feliciana parish, Tuesday evening, Sept. 8 at half past eight o'clock, aged 75 years, 1 month and 14 days. Mrs. Ryland had been in quite usual health for one of her years up to Sunday morning last. In fact, she had sat in the parlor the previous evening listening to her nieces sing. The following morning she was taken with heart failure from which she did not rally, and the end came peacefully after lingering through the long hours of three days.
It was sweet that death came to her in her own loved home, as in the last few years, she has resided at "Como" plantation only going to "Rosebank" when the fancy took her. The house was always kept ready for her by the faithful colored housekeeper. Such a fancy brought her and her bevy of great-grandnieces and nephew there a week before the end, always attended of course by her grandniece, that Agnes Wickfield among women, Miss Frankie Brandon. Had she chosen how she would die, she would have chosen this. In her old age, she who had been the most forceful and active of women came to rely solely upon the loved ones who so faithfully attended her, humoring her slightest wish. Under such mellowing influence her disposition became mroe and more sweet and gentle: a smile ever hovered on her lips even in illness, and we, who believe that to enter the kingdom of heaven one "must become as a little child," are fully persuaded that even so the pleasant land of Eden received her.
Mrs. Ryland was born Mary Lane Wade, daughter of Judge William C. Wad and Olivia Ruffin Lane, names borne yet by the descendants in this parish. She was sister of Dr. Jos. J. Wade, Miss Alice Wade, Miss Betsy Ratcliffe, Mrs. F. Semple all of whom went before her to the silent land. She was educated at Patapsco Institute in Maryland; and reading and travel made her a cultured and interesting woman. She was married to Dr. Robert H. Ryland, who came to West Feliciana from Virginia, and who, up to his death about twenty-five years ago was a prominent physician and planter in this parish, so generally revered and beloved that it was a fitting memorial when his widow chose for the monument over his grave a statue of St. Luke, "the beloved physician: copied from the work of a celebrated Italian sculptor.
The affection and admiration she felt for him was cherished to her dying day, and because he had been a Baptist she became one too, though reared and instructed as an Episcopalian. In his memory she made generous donations to the Baptist churches.
Her favorite hymn was "Pass me not, oh gentle Savior,' and it is a touching incident that before her body was carried out of her home of interment, the little children of the household knelt around the casket, where she lay so placid in death, and repeated the simple prayers they knew, the youngest saying, "Now I lay me down to sleep." Then the oclored people on the plantation, who had been with her for many kindnesses sang in their rich mellow voices, "Pass me not, oh gentle Savior."
Interment was made in Grace Cemetery, St. Francisville, beside her husband, and the funeral procession along the many miles between her home and the church was composed of neighbors, relatives friends, and the faithful servitors on the plantation, the latter laying the earth that covered her last sleep.
She is survived by her nieces, Mrs. Lane Brandon and Miss Agnes Wade, her nephews, Capt. Robert Brandon, Capt. Lane Brandon, William C. Wade, John T. Semple, John R. Liddell and large number of nieces and nephews for two succeeding generations, members of the Semple, Liddell, Wade and Brandon families. Mrs. Ryland had no children but she made herself so beloved by all her family that she does not lack the fall of filial tears, the blessing of tender memories of her life and character.
