OBITUARY

Name:    Nancy Ann (Pemberton) Garrison Pemberton

From:  The Register-News, Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Date:  May 1928   

Mrs. Nancy Frymire, 103 [actually 90], widow of George Lewis Frymire will be buried tomorrow.  Mrs. Nancy Frymire died at the home of her son, Charles Franklin Garrison, on Hard road west of Mt. Vernon.

 In the death of Mrs. Frymire, a most remarkable career has ended.  Mrs. Frymire was not only the most interesting person because of her great age, but because of the busy life she has led and the remarkable experiences she has had in rearing her children and caring for them.

For many year she had practically lived alone, although much of the time people lived in adjoining rooms, as she rented part of her six room home, at 418 Grand Ave and lived forty years or more.

Mrs. Frymire was a survivor of the districts devastated by the cyclone in February of 1888, the great store destroying her little home, which she later rebuilt and occupied until her death, although she did not die at her home having been taken Wednesday afternoon, early to the home of her son, Charles F. Garrison, where she died.

Mrs. Frymire was stricken early Wednesday morning.  It is stated she complained of feeling cold at the time found.  It is believed that she had gotten up to start a fire when stricken.  Her condition became quite alarming and was taken to the home of her son.  It is state that the son had visited her only a day or two before and she was in her usual health, and nothing indicated her coming death.

Mrs. Frymire was born in Tenn. but the location and date is not known by the member of her family here.  She told some of them that she was 103, in December the 27th but did not mention the date and is thought that she may have forgotten it.  It is not known when she came to Illinois, but it is thought to be early in life.  Her maiden name was Pemberton.  Her father lived to be 92 years.

With her first husband, William D. Garrison, she came to Jefferson county from Saline County, Illinois 59 years ago.  Mr. Garrison died April 5, 1878, sometime after coming to this locality, and he married A. C. Hawkins, who came from Indiana.  Mr. Hawkins died and her third husband was George Lewis Frymire, who died 14 years later. 

Mrs. Frymire is survived by 2 children Charles Franklin Garrison and Mrs. Rosa Peery of Jonesboro, Illinois.  The number of grandchildren is not known, but the number of great-grandchildren is 13.

Although a woman of domestic taste, attached to the home and family, and an excellent homemaker and housekeeper, Mrs. Frymire was not too proud to do a man's work, with heavy saw on large trees, split rails and similar employment.

She was possessed of great strength.  In the harvest, she used the old fashioned cradle to cut wheat; considerable skill is required to cradle the wheat, but she did the work well,  She did other kinds of work at crop time and harvest.  It is state that her great strength was comment among her friends and neighboring farmers, and one harvest someone said she could stand in a half bushel measured, and shoulder a sack containing two bushels of wheat.  A wager was made and she was asked to make the attempt, she did so and lifted the sack and it was contended that she did.

Mrs. Frymire's accomplishments in the home embraced off form of housework, sewing and cooking and any and everything a good housekeeper of her day.  And up until the last she took great pride in her home and everything about the place was always well and sanitary.

Mrs. Frymire was in any respects a most remarkable woman. Her eye sight was remarkable good, and up to a comparatively shore time ago could thread a needle and sew on an average day without glasses.  About two years ago she did some excellent quilting.

Her memory was remarkable, she could remember happenings of the present and past, as well as what happened in her youth, and her mind was sharp until the last. 

She was of religious nature, and it is not known when she united with the Baptist Church.  She took great interest in the church, until the infirmities of age prevented it. 

Mrs. Frymire was held in the greatest respect and affection by all those who knew her.  Her long life, well spent, and of her it may truly be said.......................Good and Faithful Servant, Enter Unto the Joy of Thy Lord