Person:Sarah Lewis (223)

MRS. HARDEN LAFFOON

Sarah Lewis Laffoon, widow of the late Harden Laffoon, and daughter of Elkana and Mahala Lewis, was born in Surry County, N. C. February 21, 1828, and died at her home near Mount Airy, June 26, 1915, Her age was therefore 87 years, four months and 27 days.

She was married to Harden Laffoon June 23, 1850. Her husband departed this life suddenly, as she did, on December 31, 1899. She lived with him nearly fifty years, and has outlived him more than fifteen years.

Mrs. Laffoon was the mother of seven children, six of whom survive her, all surviving are daughters, the only son having died in early childhood. Her daughters are Miss Mary E. Laffoon of Mount Airy, Mrs. James J. Greenwood of Patrick County, Va., Mrs. R. M. Taylor of Norwood, N. C., Mrs. Ann Nichols of Mount Airy, Mrs. W. O. Bunker of White Plains and Miss Ada Laffoon of Mount Airy.

Mrs. Laffoon was a woman of remarkable character. She was of an even temper, clear intellect, regular temperate habits, thoughtful of all, and helpfull to all as far as possible. She was one of the most excellent mothers, living for the best interests of all her children, She was a faithful companion of her husband, who was beautifully devoted to her during their long and happy married life. Never rich, but always having sufficient of this world’s goods she was thereby content, and willing to divide with those having less than she enjoyed.

She was a true christian woman, having been converted soundly and beyond question at the time, while very young, at a meeting held by the late Rev. James Needham and Rev. William Rawley, two worthy preachers of the Methodist Church. The meeting was held in the Bunker residence, now occupied by Robert Bunker, the building being then unfinished. For reasons satisfactory to herself she was never a church member, but was a faithful christian woman. She was ready to go, and was only waiting the summons to join her sainted husband and infant child in the skies.

The funeral was preached by the writer, at her personal request, at the residence, assisted by Rev. T. H. King. Her friends and neighbors attested the high esteem in which she was held by a large attendance both at the grave and at the home. Her body was laid to rest by the side of her husband, in old Fish River cemetery, on Monday afternoon, June 28, 1915. Her children were all at the funeral.

Truly a mother in Israel has been taken from among us. Let us look with the eye of faith into the invisible world, and see her at rest with those gone on before. Let us live as she lived and then we too shall strike glad hands with her “where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.”

R. M. Taylor

Note : "R. M. Taylor" is Rev. Robert M. Taylor who married Harden and Sarah's daugther Nettie Clay.