Thomas Burrell Obituary


From the New Era, August 23, 1907
Submitted by Robin Sterling



Obituary. Rev. Thomas Burrell is no more. His spirit took its flight Tuesday morning at 2 o’clock a.m., August 6, at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. J.W. Hendon near Mellville. His last remains were laid to rest at Bethel cemetery Wednesday at 11 a.m. Funeral was preached by the writer from Revelations, 14:13. Bro. Burrell was born July 23rd 1831, was married to Martha Smith before the war. He professed a hope in early life and joined the Missionary Baptist Church, and remained a faithful member until death. Everybody who knew Bro. Burrell knew him to be a faithful servant. He was the first preacher the writer remembers hearing preach. It was thro’ his influence and a mother’s prayers and good advice that I was lead to see that I was lost. God bless Bro. Burrell’s labors! He leaves two children, several grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn our loss. Bro. Burrell was loved by all good people. The Clear Creek Association has lost a faithful minister, the Church a faithful member, the country a good citizen. He has filled his place well; so let these lines be inscribed to his memory:

Servant of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master’s joy.

The voice at midnight came,
He started up to hear,
A mortal arrow pierced his frame,
He fell, but felt no fear.

Tranquil amid alarms,
It found him on the field,
A veteran slumbering on his arms
Beneath his red-cross shield.

The pains of death are past,
Labor and sorry cease,
And life’s long war-fare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.

Soldier of Christ, well done,
Praise be thy new employ,
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour’s joy.

G.W. Gibson, Arley, Alabama.

[Thomas Burrell, Company K, 12th Tennessee Cavalry; no dates on monument; buried Old Bethel Cemetery]


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