A Sainted Mother is Mourned in Death. Sketch of Life and Career of Late Mrs. J.Y. Roach, Whose Funeral Was Held Tuesday. The funeral of the late Mrs. J.Y. Roach was held Tuesday afternoon at the First C.P. church, of which the deceased was a member. The interment was made in Union cemetery, the following friends acting as pall bearers: A.C. Boyd, J.D. Paisley, G.G. Keown, G.I. Harry, L.L. Hatton, and Harry Starkey. The following sketch of Mrs. Roach was read: Again in the Providence of an all wise and good God are we called to pay a tribute of respect to the life and character of a saluted mother and sister and friend. Miss Magdalene Bettisworth was born April 3, 1828, at Fincastle, Va. Her father and mother's names were Evan and Drusilla Bettisworth. There were nine children, four sisters, and five brothers, in this family. The family moved from Virginia to Hancock county, Illinois, Nov. 7, 1833, and settled near Carthage. The subject of this memorial came on a visit to some relation near Atlanta, Ill., in 1852, where she met the family of her husband. In the following year, March 2, 1853, she was united in marriage to James Y. Roach at Waynesville, Ill., who passed on before her to the glory land Jan. 10, 1904. She began her married life on a farm near Atlanta. She professed religion and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Roach's chapel, near Atlanta, shortly after she was married. She was of a deeply pious and spiritual nature and entered into this new life with all the ardor and enthusiasm of her soul. Her home in those early years being especially devoted to the cause of the new faith and the sacred cause with which she had given her unqualified allegiance. There were born to the union of James and Magdalene Roach five children, all of whom are living: Mrs. W.R. Tripp, Greenview, Ill.; John E., Lincoln, Ill.; Mrs. J.J. Gilchrist, Lincoln, Ill.; Miss Bessie and Elmer E., who lived with the mother on the Forsythe farm, near Lincoln, at the time of her going away. Of grandchildren there are seven. There is remaining of her father's family only one sister, Mrs. Enoch Ramsey of Hancock county, Illinois, who is in her eightieth year, and who was privileged to be with her sister the last two weeks of her earthly life. This sister has three children, one of whom is present today, Miss Hattie Ramsey. Mrs. Roach had lived her life since her marriage in McLean and Logan counties, save one year in the west. Her life had been especially full of earnest effort and unselfish devotion to her family. No two lives were more sweetly blended in devoted confidence and helpfulness than hers and her husband's, she gladly sharing her part of all adversity and loss with heroic devotion and courage. She had always been devout and conscientious in her Christian life, being pious without pretense. Her Christian life was so simple and direct that all who knew her never had to ask the question, is she a Christian? for all knew it by the spirit and deeds of her life. Her devotion to her own was simple and beautiful, for nothing was too good, no sacrifice too dear for her to make if it would contribute to the well being and happiness of her beloved ones. While she was thus deeply and wholly devoted to her family, yet she was a neighbor and friend who never forgot that all the human race is akin, and no service was to her hard or sacrifice dear if she could render help and comfort to those near her in times of need and distress. While she lived for her own she did not forget that He was bigger than her own four walls, so rendered helpful service to neighbors and friends. She was the counselor and confident of every member of her family, for husband and children all trusted and confided in her. She knew their all. They found in her the true mother spirit and wifely confidence. Devotion and self sacrifice was illustrated in her with those delicate touches and tender expressions that is seldom found in women. Her whole soul, devotion and living, planning and doing was for her family and friends and doing good as a royal Christian. She was not selfish, but broad and catholic in her thoughts for others, truly loving her own, but not forgetful to entertain strangers. These last years of her life have been full of feebleness and dependency. Since January, 1904, when her husband was taken, she had been lonesome and her spirit at time fairly cried out for the companionship of the best beloved gone on before; nevertheless she had been patiently waiting the coming of the white winged passenger who would release her and bring her to the many loved ones who had gone on to welcome her coming.

This page is "Magdalene Roach Obituary" on the Logan County, Illinois, ILGenWeb site. The address of this page is http://logan.illinoisgenweb.org/roachmag.htm..