Yockey, Belinda C. (Okey)

Belinda C. Okey

AKA: Melinda in the 1860 census of Monroe Co., OH.

OBITUARY: Last week we mentioned briefly the death of Mrs. Belinda C. Yockey, which occurred on Sunday, July 27 [1913]. The funeral was held the following Tuesday. Services were conducted at the M. E. church in this city at 2:30 PM., Dean Chandler of Morningside, an old friend of the family, officiating. He was assisted by Rev. J. E. Brereton, pastor of the First Congregational church of this city. The remains were taken to Hull, Iowa, where they were laid to rest in beautiful Hope Cemetery.

The members of the family who were present were C. W. Yockey of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs Charlotte Grisell of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Ireland of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. J. S. Duncan of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wilkinson and son of Hawarden, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Swafford of Washington, D. C.; and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Losey of this city. One daughter, who lives in Ohio was not able to be present.

Belinda C. Yockey was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, July 8, 1835. There she grew to womanhood. In 1852 she was united in marriage to Charles Yockey at Stafford, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Yockey resided at Stafford until the death of Mr. Yockey, which occurred in 1895. Soon after that Mrs. Yockey came west, subsequently living with her children at Hull, this state. She came to Emmetsburg twelve years ago with her daughter, Mrs. W. E. Losey, remaining with her until the time of her death. Mrs. Yockey was the mother of one son and seven daughters. Six of the daughters were present at their mother's bedside at the time of death.

For six years Mrs. Yockey was a helpless invalid. Only once from the commencement of her protracted and discomforting sickness was she able to leave her room. She fully realized that she could never recover and that even temporary relief could not be given to her; but for hours, days, nights, months, years, she bore with the sublime Christian resignation her severe affliction. She was willing to undergo greater physical and mental distress, should Providence will it. During all those trying years her devoted daughter, Mrs. Losey, cared for her, consoled her, and strove as best she could to make her as comfortable as possible. How she stood so well the severe strain under which she labored was a surprise indeed to her friends and neighbors. There are perhaps few cases in history in which a daughter did more for a loving mother. Now that Mrs. Yockey is gone, what a consolation to the attentive, patient, affectionate daughter to realize that she did so much to lighten her sorrow. If the giving of a cup of cold water to one of Gods little ones, in his name, is not to go unrewarded, what blessings there must be in store for those who spend years in providing for the needs of the helpless.

The sympathy of our many citizens are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Losey and the other relatives in their bereavement. (Source: unknown - furnished by Janet Downing)