Nancy Elizabeth Larimore

"Grandmamma Larimore." When my mother-in-law, Mrs. Nancy Larimore left this land of lights and shadows on September 2, 1902, she lacked until January 3 1903, of being ninety years of age. During the last twenty-three years, she made her home at my house and after such long and intimate as association, I think it is not claiming too much for me to say that I knew her. In no sense was she an ordinary woman. Her age would testify that she had great physical endurance. Her mental power were naturally very superior and her powers of heart I have never known surpassed. Though the mother of the beloved and gifted T. B. Larimore and other children, she never had a child that had an advantage of her in any way, except in college culture. She was a great reader, except in the last six month of her life during which time her sight was somewhat dimmed by the affliction that ended her existence. If she had an enemy, I failed to ascertain the fact in twenty- three years. Mother was an ardent admirer of flowers; loved the Lord devotedly; and was ever in sympathy with the poor, afflicted, and distressed. She was the soul of honor: the embodiment of politeness; and an angel of mercy, mixing and mingling with the human race to relieve pain, to wipe away tears of sorrow, and to cheer the broken-hearted, Loving the work and worship of the church of Christ, of which she was a consistent member for nearly fifty years, She attended the service day and night as long as she was able. When too feeble to go at night, she was still regularly seen in the assembly of the saints on the first day of the week until age and affliction forbade her going longer. She was often found in her favorite corner, in her willow rocker, reading her New Testament, with a smile and a kind word for any one who came in. My children were devoted to her, as she was to them. At no time did they in any way mistreat her, or even speak to her in a loud, impatient tone; on the contrary, "Grandmamma's" gentle presence seemed to brighten their very existence. My wife, her youngest child, never left her bedside when she thought it possible to relieve her in any way by remaining longer. Mother relied on her so perfectly and implicitly, and called her name so many, many times in her last illness; and (which was peculiarly touching) during her last few days she seemed to regard herself a the child and tenderly addressed her daughter as "mamma." My readers must excuse my frank statement: I never felt that I had much more freedom in writing about an infant than I have concerning her. This is written after cool deliberation; and if any should ask me what were her weaknesses, I would be forced to say: "Positively, I do not know." I do not say that she had no faults: but if she had any, I knew them not; and I do unhesitatingly state that I have never known any one for whom I thought nature had done more every way. She is gone, and yet not gone; her influence will living on. May she live in my memory and in my heart until I go hence. I desire to meet her in the "yet-to-be," and I very well know where to find her. I also realize that this must be done by constant sacrifice and service and by the grace of God. R. P. Meeks. Gospel Advocate, Jan. 8, 1903, p. 27.

Sister Nancy Larimore, mother of Brother T. B. Larimore, died on September 2 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. P. Meeks at Henderson, Tenn. She was buried at Clear Creek, Tenn. Death is not sad to the child of God; it is a glorious exchange. This dear mother in Israel has gone to her reward. Gospel Advocate, Sept. 18, 1902.

It is believe by some that Nancy Larimore had four children, two sons and two daughters. T.B. (1843); Porends, or Poreendo, (1847-), who died or went missing during the Civil War; Mary F., "Mollie" (c. 1852-aft 1920), who married Christian Church evangelist Rufus Polk Meeks; and Helen (c. 1838-), who married Joseph Tate (c. 1838-) in 1859 in Sequatchie County, TN. Joe and Helen had one child, a dau. Capitola, born 1859/1860. What became of Porends, Helen, Joe and Capitola isn't known. --- Lee Freeman.