Francis Ann Keffer, was born in Nicholas County, Oct. 21, 1851. Moving to Roane county at an early age. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church while yet young and lived a faithful and consistent Christian life until the end came July 26, 1935 being at the time of her death 83 years, 9 months and 4 days old. She was united in marriage to Andrew J. Keffer, January 13, 1876. Mrs. Keffer was a kind and loving mother and always ready to help in time of need. She was confined to her room for the last four years before death relieved her suffering. She was a loyal Christian and had often said that she was ready to go was anxiously waiting for her Savior to take her home. He departure removed the last of the original members of the Keffer church to which she belonged. She died at the home of George F. Keffer of Clover.

She is survived by four sons, Henry Keffer of Roxbury, Ohio; Mangus P. Keffer, George E. Keffer of Clover and Ray Maxwell Keffer of California and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Wright of Spencer. Her husband and two daughter preceded her in death several years ago, and several relatives and friends to mourn her departure. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Bert Strickland on Saturday, July 27 after which the body was laid to rest in the Keffer cemetery there to await the resurrection of the just. Vandale Undertakers had charge of the service.

(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)

Mrs. Elizabeth Wallbrown, age 78, of Otto. died Tuesday, September 21, at the home of her son, R .K. Wallbrown of Otto. She was the daughter of Scott and Nancy Reed Starcher and was a member of the Beech church in Calhoun county.

Survivors include two sons, Amos Wallbrown of Athens, Ohio and R. K. Wallbrown of Otto; one daughter, Mrs. Dean McMillan of Akron, Ohio; three sisters, Mrs. Amanda Rose of Akron, Mrs. Myrtle Markley of Spartansburg, and Mrs. Ester Griffith of Rocksdale, W.Va.; one brother, Reed Starcher of Orma, W.Va. 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Beech Methodist church.

(Elizabeth Wallbrown passed away September 21, 1954)
(Submitted by Donna J. Walbrown)

Mr. Josiah P. Starcher, the subject of the sketch, was born near Arnoldsburg, Calhoun County--then Gilmer County--West Virginia, September 10th, 1830, and died within about six miles of the same place, but on the Roane County side of the county line, at his place of residence there on May 21st. 1915, aged eighty-four years, nine months and eleven days.

He processed always a strong, cheerful and sympathetic disposition that bound him naturally to the good, the true and the beautiful .around him.

He emphasized and adhered throughout his life and loved to repeat the following precepts: "The peace of society depends on justice." "The happiness of individuals on the safe employment of all their possessions." and "Keep the desire of thy heart within the bounds of moderation.." "Let the hand of justice lead them, right." "Cast not the eye on the goods of thy neighbors; let whatsoever in his property be sacred from thy touch." "In dealing with men be impartial and just, and do unto them as thou wouldst they do unto thee." Be faithful to thy trust, and defraud not of his hire the laboring man." "When thou sellest for gain, hear the whisperings of conscience: not from the ignorance of the buyer make advantage to thyself." "Pay the debts thou owest; for He who gave thee credit relied upon thy honor, and to withhold from Him His due is both mean and unjust."

On the 10th day of November, 1853, he was united in marriage with Nancy J. Nichols, a woman true and dependable, a helpmate indeed, who shared in all his joys and sorrows even down to the end and yet survives to honor his name.

To their union were born nine children, four sons and five daughter: Amanda Ellis, J. C. Starcher, Loverna King, Lucy Starcher, Belle Sheba Bissell survive and mourn this loss; Willie, McClellan, and Columbus went on before him into that strange state called death. The life of this good man and wife was one of singular good understanding, mutual confidence, and happiness, and by their labor, prudence, and economy they secured themselves for the comfort of their declining years a farm of five hundred acres on the waters of Henry's Fork and Beech, extending partly in Calhoun and partly in Roane counties. They came to this county about 1866; they were pioneers of those parts; here for forty-nine years they lived and loved and worked, ever ready with a strong hand and an good judgment to help others, and here watched great forests disappear and give place to green hills, fruitful orchards, waiving grain fields and the pioneer log cabin replaced by the many large frame commodious farm-houses every where; they were leaders in industry and betterment, practiced what they preached and their homestead with it comfortable surroundings announced that here was comfort, a place for the livelihood, or rest for the weary, to which the invitation, "Come" was implied; and greatest happiness was found therein when it sheltered most sons and daughters and neighbors. But age, grew apace, life gave way--came death. His sickness was endured as he had met life, patiently, philosophically, wisely, for he kept his strong intellect to the very last. He expressed to the writer of this a few days before his death, his faith in God, among other things, saying, "I am waiting for the summons."

The remains were followed to its resting place by many friends and relatives and his sorrowing children and was laid to rest in the cemetery near Wayne Schoolhouse in which the funeral service were conducted by the writer.

May we all so live that our lives may show some brother the way.

Wellington Lester

(Submitted by Donna J. Walbrown)

Rev. R .P. Crumpler officiated Tuesday afternoon at the funeral services of the late Mrs. Luvernia Phillips, who died July 1 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Buck, in Spencer. Death resulted from the infirmities of age, Mrs. Phillips being 80 years old at the time of her demise. She was the widow of Marion Phillips, who preceded her 25 years ago. She is survived by four sons, John Phillips, city, Ernest Phillips, of Pulaski, Va., Artie Phillips, of Flint, Mich., Ira Phillips, and two daughters, Mrs. Buck and Mrs. Ella McCauley, of Reedy, Route 1. H. D. Wells & Son were the funeral directors.

(Luverna Carpenter Phillips passed away July 1, 1929)
(Submitted by Donna J. Walbrown)

Mrs. Esther Ann Dobbs Starcher, widow of the late Jesse Starcher, was born Nov. 7, 1849, in Marshall county. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F .R. Chambers, Charleston. she was 85 years three months and nine days old at the time of her death.

She was reared by her aunt, Mrs. Jordan McMillan, of Roane county.

She was married in the year 1870 to Jesse Starcher, who preceded her in death on March 12, 1933.

This brief sketch is the record of a life of loving, devoted, self-sacrificing service, seldom equaled. It is not within our power to adequately portray the life and character of a woman who possessed the characteristics of Heaven and endeavored to do her duty.

The high ideal which she exemplified is Heaven's own. The reward that awaits her in the better world is the measure of her value. She believed life, whether in this world or another, is the sum of our attainments, and its course through fatherhood, motherhood, friendship, and legitimate relation of whatever kind. The flowers we seek to lay in grateful tribute upon her broken altar of home and friendship are sad reminders of the beauties that are no more, songs whose cadences are hushed, and loves from life disjoined.

While it is not mete that deep thinking man should express grief for the dead in silence, yet no words can ever speak the grief we feel. It has been said that God keeps a place in Heaven for our idols, for those who serve to bless His creatures in the earth. Measured by these sentiments, Esther Ann Starcher had gone to receive her promotion in the appointed place in God's everlasting temple of love.

She was a devoted wife and mother, and made her home radiant with joy. She never lost an opportunity to impress upon those about her the importance that all lasting happiness must be founded strictly upon religious principles. No person ever came to her in sorrow that she did not give comfort; no suffering was known to her, that she did not minister consolation and help. She did not wait to be informed of distress but as an Angle of Mercy she sought where she might find someone to cheer.

There are homes darkened by sorrow and distress that shall miss her and wonder if God will send another so thoughtful and true. Such a life, gemmed with the fruits of charitable deeds and loveliness of character, make up the record in the realms forever blest. She sang life, a song sweetly and endeavored to perform its duties, hoping in some way to enrich the world with a sense of love and to attune human souls to celestial harmonies. Her mission was to do good wherever she is, Heaven is. Sister Starcher's faith and devotion to her Savior led her to unite with the Baptist church in Parkersburg. In the folds of this church she remained a level and faithful member until her labor ended and God in His wisdom called her home to the Church of Triumphant.

She is survived by the following. One son, M. P. Starcher of Otto, one daughter, Mrs. F.R. Chambers of Charleston: grandchildren: F. R. Starcher, Mullins; Carl, John, Fred, and Billy Starcher, Otto; W. K. and and Edgar Chambers, Charleston; Mrs. C. C. Graybill, Mrs. F. A. Snyder and Mrs. Rae Gilmer, Charleston; Mrs. W. P. Suttle, Looneyville; Miss Esther and Claire Starcher, Parkersburg; Mrs. Boyd Wallbrown, Akron; Bernice and Azaline Starcher, Otto. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Burial services were conducted by the Rev. Herbert Spencer on Thursday, February 28 after which the body was laid to rest in the Otto cemetery, there to await the resurrection of the just.

Written by a friend, E. H. Bissell

(Esther Starcher passed away February 1935)
(Submitted by Evelyn Starcher)