Rachel Elizabeth McDonald

Obituary: ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES MRS. RACHEL MCDONALD ANSWERS DEATH'S SUMMONS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1939 AT 85 YEARS. Mrs. Rachel McDonald, a pioneer settler of Kansas and long time resident of the Barnard community, passed away at the age of 85 years and 5 months. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the Barnard Baptist church at 2:00 o'clock, the service being conducted by the pastor, Rev. R.J. Johnson. Interment was made in the Saltville Cemetery. Those who furnished the music at the obsequies were: J.C. Kaul, Ross Lov and Misses Lucille Tatum and Loaine Mastellar with Mrs. Ward Pruitt as piano accompanist. The Pallbearers were: John Shafer, Joe Pruitt, Arch Brockway, Awalt Black, Chas. Mesick and A. M. Griffeth.

Rachel Elizabeth Simmons, daughter of Adolphus and Sarah Simmons, was born near Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia, July 30, 1854. In November 1882 she left Georgia when she was nearly 28 years of age and came with her parents to Camden Point, Platte County, Missouri. After having lived there until February 14, 1885, she came to Kansas seettling 13 miles south and 1 mile west of Beloit on what was known as the Hood ranch, residing there with her parents.

She was united in marriage to B. C. McDonald April 20, 1899, and they made their home in Barnard. Her husband preceded her in death Nov. 19, 1925. For the past years she had made her home at the Sunset Home in Concordia. She was converted in early life and joined the Baptist church of which she has been a very faithful member until her health failed.

She was stepmother to five living children: Mrs. Oma Mesick, Barnard; Mrs. Dica Portsleit, Denver; Eedward McDonald, Winfield; Isaac McDonald, Wichita; Aaron McDonald, Franklin, Montana. She also leaves to mourn her passing two sisters and three brothers; Mrs. Martha Borgen, Ashville [sic]; Mrs. Emma Kaul and E.B. and Avery Simmons, Barnard; James Simmons, Hutchinson; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Another sister, Mrs. Anna gurley preceded her in death a week ago.

Source: "The Squire Simmons Family, 1746 - 1986" by Dorothy Geneva Simmons Skelton

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via sister Nancy Louella Kaul (born Simmons) by SmartCopy: Dec 16 2014, 23:21:05 UTC