B. F. Leavell passed away December 25, 1913, and his brother, R. Curt Leavell, who wrote such a lovely and touching remembrance of his brother, himself passed away March 19, 1914.

from The Weekly Advance, LaCenter, Ballard County, Kentucky

January 2, 1914

B. F. Leavell No More

He was stricken speechless late Christmas Eve, and ere 12:55 o’clock his spirit had taken its flight to the God that gave it. His last breathing seemed so peaceful, as if God kissed him and he fell asleep. This was so in accord with his nature – peace with all men. How cruel the Reaper seems and truly thou hast all seasons for thine own, oh, Death! We feel that we could have given him up more freely had he been long sick, but apoplexy seized him and in a few hours he was no more.

He was born in Christian County, Kentucky, on March 26, 1843, was moved in the fall of the same year by his parents, W. A. and Sarah Leavell, to Ballard County, where he spent the most of his life. While he lived out the allotted time of man, he was so vigorous and jolly one would hardly thought he had passed the 70^th milestone. His presence was like a ray of sunshine. As I now reflect over the past few months, it seems that his every act was a finishing touch to his life’s work. How agonizing would have been that last “Goodbye” to him just a few days before he was taken had we known that was our parting, here so often when leaving he would say, “Well, Curt, I’ll be back every few days!” Those that knew him best loved him most. He left his wife, Mrs. Liza, and Willie, his son, also two brothers, L. W. and R. C. Leavell, and sisters, Mrs. A. O. Elliott, Mrs. W. A. Christian and Mrs. Jesse Rich, all of whom reside in this county.

It is so sad ere the silver chord is loosed or the golden bowl is broken, but we weep not as those without hope, for as he passed over the mystic river we know he had a pilot there. He served with distinction as a Confederate soldier. He fought in the famous battle of Shiloh, while his brother, John, was mortally wounded, he, himself, passed through with only a slight scar.

Reverend Gregston of the 2^nd Baptist Church of Paducah, conducted the funeral services which was ably rendered from 1^st Cor. 15^th Chapter, and latter clause of the 6^th verse. “But some are fallen asleep.” After which his remains were entered in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery by a sorrowing concourse of relatives and friends. Our loss is his gain, since death is the gateway into eternal life. But oh! We will miss him at home, at church and in the neighborhood – so many hearts are saddened; yet, we cannot say Good-bye, for he is ever near.

His spirit has gone to that land of rest, Where loved ones stand in habiliments fair; And where Jesus stands ready, To welcome us there.

Gone forever – how sad now sounds the word,  We see his home, but know he is not there, He’s with our God – he rests beside his Lord; He toiled long, but released from all care.

His work will live, When men forget his name. Why should we sigh and shed a tear?  For we know our loss is his eternal gain.

His wife will miss his smiling face, His son his tender care; Their home is made a lonely place, For there’s no father there.

You have left them precious brother, But there’ll be a glorious dawn, And you’ll meet to live together, On the resurrection morn.

My heart is sad and full of grief, My sorrow I cannot express, But someday I’ll get relief – When I meet him with the blessed.

His cheering words, his loving face, A more pleasant man I never knew, But who will come and fill his place?  Echo answers, “Who?”

Farewell dear brother, fare thee well, Your work on earth is complete, And your spirit’s gone with Christ to dwell, There to walk the golden street.

By one who loved him.

March 27, 1914

Curt Leavell Dead

Curt Leavell, one of the county’s oldest and best citizens, died at his home, 5 miles north of town, Thursday morning, of last week, of Bright’s disease. Mr. Leavell was a native Ballard Countian, being born and living all his life on the farm where he died. He was born in June, 1854, and had he lived till next June, would have been 60 years old. Mr. Leavell professed faith in Christ and united with Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in 1891, and ever there after lived the life of a consistent Christian, ever ready to aid those in distress and always a friend to the poor.

He was married in 1894 to Miss Glennie Elliott of Virginia, and to this union was born three children, two boys and one girl, all of whom survive him. Mr. Leavell also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. Jess Rich of Wickliffe, and Mrs. W. A. Christian, of Bandana, and one brother, Luther Leavell, to whom the Advance extends condolence. The remains were interred Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity of which he was a prominent member.

In Memory of R. C. Leavell

Was born in Ballard County, Kentucky, June 17, 1854, died March 19, 1914, aged 59 years, 9 months and 2 days. Son of W. A. and Sarah M. Leavell. There were 10 children in the family, four brothers and six sisters, six of whom have preceded him to that glory land. Just four remain, L. W. Leavell, of La Center, Kentucky, Mrs. W. A. Christian, of Bandana, Kentucky, Mrs. A. O. Elliott and Mrs. Jesse Rich, of Wickliffe, Kentucky, also his wife, two sons, Elliott L., aged 17, and R. C., Jr., aged 14, and daughter, Winnie J. Leavell, aged 10, to mourn his death. He had been a consistent member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for more than 20 years, and had lived a devoted Christian life. Was a Baptist from not a selfish point of view, but because the Bible taught him to be a Baptist. He was a member of North Ballard Masonic Lodge No. 537, Bandana, Kentucky, under whose auspices he was peacefully interred amidst a large concourse of friends and relatives in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, March 20, 1914. His pallbearers were A. T. Dulworth, W. C. Rudolph, F. M. Tucker, J. L. Mitchell, T. L. Younger, Will Dulworth and Hugh Stovall, all brothers of his fraternity. The funeral was preached by his pastor, Brother J. M. Burgess, in a very able and consoling manner, taken from Heb., 2^nd chapter and 9^th verse: “We see Jesus”. “Home of the Soul”, “Over the River”, “Nearer My God to Thee” and “Asleep In Jesus” were sung by the Bandana choir. His family loses a kind and loving companion and devoted father. One so patient, it can be truthfully said he lived a life devoted to God and his family. No worldly pleasure ever came between him and his duty. No sacrifice was ever too great for him to make, if he thought it for the good of his family or any example to the world, though like many fathers, he stayed very close at home, yet like the vine that clusters so closely around our door, ever shedding its welcome shad and its sweet perfume, he so sheltered and enriched that home, that it was not only a never ending blessing to the family, but also a pleasure to even the passerby, a living example of goodness, humbleness, modesty and virtue to the community.