from The News-Leader, Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky

Thursday, August 4, 1910

Death of Mrs. Kelly

Mrs. Richard Kelly died at her home near town on last Firday after a short illness.  Mrs. Kelly, before her marriage, was Miss Anna J. Simms, or as she was familiarily know to her friends, “Blue Jay”, and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Simms and was born near Springfield, October 9, 1888.  On January 12, 1909, she was married to Mr. Richard Kelly.

Funeral services were conducted at St. Dominic Sunday by Rev. Father Hennesay and burial was in St. Dominic’s cemetery.  A large crowd of friends and relatives from this and surrounding counties followed the remains to their last resting place.  The many beautiful floral designs attested the esteem in which she was held.

Death “Tis Sad

It matters not the day nor the hour, whether the message is for the rich or poor, the young or aged, the grim messenger of Death is surrounded by that same solemn mystery, is received with the same helpless cry:

“Thou madst Death:  Thou art Just.”

It is hard for us of the earth to bow our heads to the will of the “Most High” and say “Thy will be done” when he takes from us all that we hold most dear – yet, there is no other way – “He giveth and He taketh.”  Why He gives us loved ones and then takes them from us at the time we need and love them most, we know not – but we do know that we are better because of their brief life here.

There is seldom a death in which society in general is so bereft, as in that of Mrs. Richard Kelly, better known as “Blue Jay” Simms.  but two short years ago she was a loved and honored member of society, one of the happy throng of young girls enjoying the mirth and jollity of youth, the daughter and sister of a happy home; only a few short months ago at the foot of the altar, she became a happy bride.  But just as she learned the true meaning of being a wife and mother, Death called – and she must leave her infant babe never to hear the sound of a mother’s voice, never to feel the embrace of a mother’s arms; she must leave her husband ere he started up the hill of life, to journey all alone, no other companion than shattered dreams and blasted hopes; she must leave the loving father and mother, sister and brother, friends of childhood and youth.  Perhaps because she was worthy of a more perfect love than life can give, perhaps that her beautiful death might be a rich lesson to us.  Whatever the reason, we know that such deaths as hers are but a time of rest, of preparation for birth into a new and more perfect life.  It was faith in this truth that gave to her to whom life seemed most dear, for whom it had only just begun, such perfect resignation; it is this same faither that keeps these who are left behind from despair.  As she was loved and honored in life, so she will be mourned in death, yet, we know that hers is the better part, that we of the earth are the sufferers – for “Thou madst Death and Thou are just.”