ANDREW JOHNSON STAKELY


     "The son of John C. and Jane Morrow Stakely was born September 26, 1856.  He
professed faith in Christ several years ago and united with the Bethlehem Church.  He was made a
deacon, which position he held until the time of his death.  He loved his church and all other
Christian churches and always contributed generously to all benevolent purposes.  He was never
absent from his church, Sabbath school or prayer meeting, only when unavoidably kept away by
sickness or other providential causes.

     He was married to Miss Laura E. Cash on March 9, 1887.  To this union were born five
children:  Artie, John T., Alfred R., Murray and King.  Artie and King died at infancy.  John T.,
Alfred and Murray are living.  John T. married Miss Montie Toomey and had three sweet little
children:  John Howard,  Marietta and Ruth.  Alfred married Miss Frances Toomey (sister of
Montie) and they have two sweet little children:  Viola and Willie Woodrow.

     Laura Cash Stakely died June 3, 1897.

     Andrew married Miss Dollie Newman, July 8, 1900.  To this union one little son, Faye,
was born, but died at infancy.

     Besides his widow, children and grandchildren, he leaves three sisters:  Mrs. Mary A.
Bogart, Miss Lou B. Stakely and Miss Artie J. Stakely, also one brother, Georgia A., several
nephews, nieces, cousins, and a large circle of friends, all of whom will greatly miss this quiet,
unassuming Christian man and useful citizen.  He loved his home and home pleasures.  He was a
lifelong Democrat, but was liberal in his views upon all party measures.

     He was greatly afflicted with tonsillitis for some months prior to his death, but kept at
work.  He was always industrious, never idle.  On Friday morning, January 26, 1917, he had a
severe chill and suffered terribly, until Thursday afternoon.  On February 1, 1917, at 5:45 in the
evening the angels came to this pleasant home and bore his tired, weary spirit to the bosom of his
Blessed Savior.

     He got up and sat by the fire Thursday morning and said to his wife, Dollie, "Seems like I
was born to suffer for I have suffered all my life.  I am ready to die.  I want to go.  I am sorry to
leave you, John T., Montie, Alfred, Frances, Murry (Mug), my sweet little grandchildren, my
sisters and brothers, my relatives, neighbors and friends, but I want to go home to Heaven."

     He was buried at Hickory Grove on Friday afternoon, February 2, 1917.  Funeral services
were conducted from the church by his former pastor and true friend, who loved him, Rev.
Horace Atkins.  His body sleeps at old Hickory Grove, with the bodies of his first wife, three little
children:  Artie, King and Faye, his father, mother, one sister, two brothers and other loved ones.

     But oh, his home seems so vacant and still.  His loved ones are so lonely and sad.  Yet, we
know, his spirit is resting at the tender, gentle Savior's loving breast.  He will never suffer, never
weep no more.  Oh, may we all meet again in the land of never ending happiness and love."

From the Monroe Co., TN paper, "Democrat" written by Georgia A. Stakely.
Copy of text supplied by Elsie (Harder) Stakely.

Todd Reeves, 1996           epoch1@bellsouth.net