Tombstone Tuesday - Thomas Bleauford Springs (T.B.S.) Denby

The big Denby stone in Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield, Missouri

Thomas Bleauford (Bluford) Springs Denby
My paternal 2nd Great Grandfather

His obituary October 4, 1928

T.B.S. Denby ~ Thos. Blueford S Denby was born in Tennessee on May 21, 1846, and departed this life on September 10, 1928 at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Fred Champlin, in Greenfiel, Missouri; aged 82 years, 4 months and 9 days.

On November25, 1868 he was united in marriage with Esther McMasters. To this union nine children were born, five boys and four girls. Two boys with their mother, preceded him in death. Claud of Pearl Missouri, Denzil D. and Mrs. Fred Champlin of Greenfield, Glenn of Prescott, Arizona, Mrs. Maud Stevenson, Mrs. W.L Hannah and Mrs. C.H. Faucett of Los Angeles survive him. Seventeen grandchildren were his.

In the year 1863 he enlisted in the Civil War, 16th Missouri Cavalry, Co. A, under capt. Hayter and served until the close of the war. At the close of the war he settled in Missouri. He served as a county judge and county collector in Greene County, and was U.S. land commissioner in New Mexico for 17 years. 

The declining years of his life were spent in Dade county. He was a memeber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his trust in God was implicit. He came to the end of his life calmly and serenely, and was loved, honored and respected by his large circle of friends. 

Age had dimmed his memory on earthly things, but as the writer of these lines sat by his side he talked clearly of the eternal world. He rested his hand in his Savior's care and was ready.

He belonged to the Oddfellows who feel that a good member has been taken from the. He was a student of the Bible, which was first with him, and a constant reader of history, science and literature. The long life was filled with good deeds of loving kindness, and his citizenship was a rich heritage to posterity.

We extend sympathy to the family, feeling that they have lost a good father and we a good neighbor.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Tom Procter and C.J. Allen at the Champlan home on Tuesday and internment was in Greenfied Cemetery under the auspice of the local I.O.O.F.

Tombstone Tuesday - Esther Missouri McMaster Denby

Esther Missouri McMaster Denby, my paternal 2nd great grandmother 

and the beautiful Denby plot at the Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield , Missouri.

Her obituary. Reverend C.J. Allen seemed to think a lot of her.

Mrs. T.B.S. Denby ~  Esther McMaster Denby, wife of T.B.S. Denby was born July 2, 1852, At Walnut Grove Missouri, and went to her heavenly home June 10, 1925, after a life spent in loving service to her God and to all with whom she came in contact, being 72 years, 11 months and 8 days of age. She was the mother of nine children, four girls and five boys, two of the boys preceding her to the great beyond, five of those being at her bedside during her last illness. 

Mrs. Denby was conscious until the last, and was surely a "soldier soul", ever thinking of those who cared for her, never mentioning or referring to her own suffering, ever patient and kind to the end. Hers was a life of service to her God, her family, her neighbors and friends. No day passed by that she did not render some kindness to some one. She was converted to Christ and united with the Presbyterian church in her early youth, ever remaining true and faithful, and during her last days hourly repeating beautiful verses of Scripture. Although she suffered intensely, she was quick of thought, ready of expression, sympathetic by nature and fond of companionship. It was hers to be the ideal friend, wife and mother, always cheerful, always brave, always considerate, scattering sunshine and happiness in lives of others, and even now it is hard to think, to say, to believe that she is dead. 

Her loved ones are left with sadness, by with the memory that she was good and true in life and beautiful in death. As the years go by, we may feel and know that her faith must be our faith, her trust our trust, her God our God, and the lesson of death is not sorrow and grief and tears for the dead, but beauty and smiles for the living. Brother and Sister Denby's two sons who were buried near Walnut Grove were brought here and laid to rest beside their mother in Greenfield cemetery. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C.J. Allen, assisted by Rev. Frazier. The God of all peace strengthen and comfort the hearts of the bereft ones. C.J.Allen 

Her boys Harry and Henry