A Tribute to Elder Lewis E. Frazee
Elder Frazee, Greatly Beloved Citizen, Answered Summons Wednesday. Funeral Friday.
Elder L. E. Frazee entered into life eternal at his home in this city, Wednesday, August 25, 1926, at 5:50 a.m., after an illness extending over several weeks, following a stroke of paralysis. The illness and death of this good man so greatly beloved in such a wide circle has been of intense interest in many homes, and now that he is gone and the last farewells are spoken, the grief and yearning for him are as poignant as ever.Lewis Edgar Frazee, the son of Newton and Amanda Frazee, and was born in Urbana, Ohio, December 5, 1863, and came with his parents to this county when a lad of nine years of age. The family located in St. Marys township, where the boy grew to manhood. On August 30, 1885, he was married to Miss Amanda B. Alley, at her home near Bentley, and thus began a companionship of serene happiness that was a continual romance. To this union were born two children, Ethel, Mrs. R. E. Coffman, of Mobile, Alabama, and Lester F. Frazee of Keokuk. Each of these have a son and these two grandchildren were the pride and delight of Mr. Frazee.
Elder Frazee is also survived by three brothers, Dan of Gorin, Mo., Dr. D. L. Frazee of this city, Clem of Edina, Mo. W. H. is dead, and by two sisters, Mrs. Nora Salee of Rutledge, Mo., and Mrs. Cordial Hyatt of Centerville, Mo. A sister, Mrs. Slusher, died.
Elder Frazee early developed the power of persuasive preaching, and in 1888 was ordained an elder in the Primitive Baptist church, and thereafter had charge of Middle Creek, and was in charge of Middle Creek, Providence, Bentley, and Durham at the time of his death.
In the course of his ministry he led more men, women and children into the Christian life than any other resident minister in the county, baptized more, married more, buried more, and of these latter of all creeds and classes sought his sympathetic ministrations. His power and influence in his church were marked for his great simplicity, moderate judgments, and tolerance and patience with trying situations, and loving approval of the good. Long will his sympathy in confidence and his advice in times of crisis be remembered by a grateful people.
Not only in his church, but as a citizen was Elder Frazee so cherished. The integrity of his character was such that he had great strength as a leader and as such he was always progressive. During the war he took an active part in Red Cross and liberty bond drives, and throughout the effort for hard roads he was a valued member of the hard roads committee of the Carthage Commercial Club. His advice was sound, and he gave much time and effort to bringing about the establishment of routes to serve the very best interests of neighbors and communities, and no man can honestly in his heart censure Elder Frazee for any lack of satisfaction in the outcome. It was due no doubt to his concern over this vexed road matter that caused his last illness. He longed with such loving desire to have it right and to be justified before all men in his real desire and ambition for them.
As a citizen of Carthage he was ideal, ready and willing to help in any civic movement that would build the town - the college, the schools and all business enterprises met his hearty approval and aid.
His nature was three-fold, the shepherd, the citizen, and the man of God, this last embracing all three. From the deep fount of consecration sprang the living waters of his impeachable character that loved the revered places of this life and rejoiced and refreshed those who came in contact with him. One saw in his happy serene life the embodiment of the words of the old familiar hymn:
O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in afflictions I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.
He passed away in the sweet consciousness that he would see his loved ones again,
Where saints of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet;
While anthems of rapture unceasingly roll,
And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.
The funeral was held at the Ostrich funeral home Friday afternoon. A great concourse of his old friends and of Carthage citizens assembled - far beyond the capacity of the house and the crowd overflowed into the lawn and across the streets onto other lawns. The services were very sympathetically conducted by Elder Pettus of Macon, Missouri, and Elder Murray of Quincy. The flowers were profuse and beautiful, the room being full; and the one piece sent by the four churches was handsome and elegant. The interment was in Moss Ridge.
- copied from the local paper, the Carthage Republican, 1926.
Copyright c. 2008. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
