Mary E. Sargent Smith's Obituary

Mary E. Sargent Smith, the daughter of Mary F. Butman Sargent and Joshua Sargent, is shown above at the age of 23. Mary's obituary is shown below. If you click on the images you can see larger versions, which may make Mary E. Sargent Smith's obituary more readable. But just in case, I have transcribed the obituary below.



This is a nicely written one, by a man who had been her former pastor. Here is the transcript of the obituary:

MEMORIAL TO MRS. MARY E. SARGENT SMITH

Mrs. Mary E. Sargent Smith died at the home of her mother in Alton, Me., September, 1918. She was born in Alton, August 25, 1889, baptized and joined the Church in 1910, married Milan J. Smith, August 11, 1915 at Searsport, Me. She is surved by her husband, two children, Frances Sargent, aged two years and five months; and Robert, aged one year and four months; mother, Mrs. Mary F. Sargent; sister Hannah B. of Reading, Mass., and three brothers, James, Robert and Jay D. of Alton.

She early craved an education and after completing the common school course, she entered Bangor High and graduated with splendid rank. Entered the University of Maine and continued to Junior year. It was during her University course that Milan J. Smith became her pastor and also attended the University. A mutual relationship sprang up, resulting in marriage.

Her conversion was a clear experience resulting in entire consecration. She gave her all to the Christ who died for her. Not being able to tell her experience in words, she wrote her pastor Chas. L. Kinney a beautiful letter, telling him what a joy it was to know herself redeemed, "This has been the happiest day of my life."

Soon after her baptism, she expressed to her pastor, her desire to enter foreign mission work. She had a burning zeal for service and was a most efficient worker and teacher in the Church; carrying on the Sunday School work as Superintendent, during her University course. She finally decided to continue the Master's work as a pastor's wife. Together they served the ____ate (pastorate?) during 1915-1917, at Woolwich, E. Me. Conference, of which her husband became member in 1916, and was ordained in 1918. They were transferred to the Maine Conference in April, 1918, and supplied at Kent's Hill.

During December, 1917, she contracted tuberculosis, spent some time at Fairfield Sanitorium and then was removed to her mother's where she died a great sufferer.

She was a pure minded girl, most zealous of her Lord and Master and was a tower of strength to the young people of her community. An excellent minister's wife; self-sacrificing; balanced in judgment; sweet in spirit; winning the respect and confidence of all who met her. Duty and helpfulness were her primary considerations.

The interment took place at Searsport, Me., where within sound of the ceaseless tides, her body sleeps, while her soul is with Him who stilled the winds and calmed the waves.

Chas. L. Kinney

I believe the picture above is of Mary E. Smith's Sunday School of 1915. Mary is in the white shirt-waist standing. We look at this picture and see an old car, but the children surrounding the vehicle were seeing a technological wonder, as many people in the Alton, Maine area were still traveling by horse and wagon in 1915.

Mary had an influence on her nephew Herbert E. Sargent as shown by the Sunday School certificate shown below. It is probable that the beautiful fine handwriting on the certificate is Mary's. Herbert is in the picture of the Sunday School above - in the front row with the tie and no shoes next to the girl in the checked dress.