Elizabeth Coleman Lewis was Birda's mother.
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| Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley |
According to these documents, the following dates apply:
BIRTH: 6 Dec 1856- Buckinghamshire, England
DEATH: 18 Dec 1932- Vernal, Uintah, Utah
She was 76 years old when she died.
Obituary:
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| SOURCE: Vernal Express 1932, Dec 22, p.1 |
Obituary transcribed:
Mrs. Siney Lewis Passes To Final Rest at Home of Daughter on Sunday.
Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman Lewis, 76, died on Sunday evening, December 18, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E.W. Lewis, of diseases incident to old age. Mrs. Lewis had been invalided for several years.
The deceases, daughter of George and Elizabeth Bailey Coleman was born December 6, 1856 in Buckinghamshire, England. The Colemans became converts to the L.D.S. faith and in 1864 emigrated to America, coming directly to Utah. They crossed the plains with an ox team.
On January 5, 1873 she married Siney Lewis in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. To this union there were born 11 children, 4 sons and 7 daughters, 9 of whom survive: Siney Jr., Frank and Chas Lewis, all of Vernal; Mrs. Leonora Evans, Mrs. Annie Springer, Mrs. Mary Hatch, Mrs. Birda Merkley, Mrs. Jennie Hullinger, all of Vernal and Mrs. Georgia McClelland, San Francisco, Calif.
There are 2 brothers and two sisters surviving all living in Heber City, but unable to attend the funeral, Lewis and Sam Coleman and Mrs. Sarah Lewis and Mrs. Annie McMillan.
Mrs. Lewis came to the Ashley valley in 1896 and her two youngest children were born in Vernal. She remembered the driving of the golden spike at the completion of the railroad in 1869. Her life had been one of constant activity until during the last few years when it became difficult for her to move about.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at the Glines ward chapel.
*Spelling and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.
Death Certificate:
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| SOURCE: familysearch.org |
Funeral notice:
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| SOURCE: Vernal Express 1932, Dec 29, p.1 |
Funeral Rites For Pioneer Mother Held
GLINES WARD CHAPEL WELL FILLED BY THOSE PAYING RESPECTS TO WELL KNOWN PIONEER MOTHER
The funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman Lewis, 76, widow of the late Siney Lewis Sr, were held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Glines ward chapel with Bishop John B Eaton presiding.
Mrs. Lewis passed away on Sunday evening December 18, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E.W. Evans, of diseases incident to old age and had lived in Vernal sine 1896.
The opening prayer was offered by Ernest Eaton and the benediction was given by E.J. Longhurst. Interment was made in the Maeser cemetery, with M.D. Berry, dedicating the grave.
The music was furnished by a double quartet from Glines ward and Second wards consisting of Mrs. Rose Walker, Delores Wardle, Alice Caldwell, Belle Perry, Allred Caldwell, H. Walter Woolley, John Hodgkinson and Herbert Bell who sang, "Oh My Father", "Sweet Hour of Prayer", "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", tenor solo part by Mr. Caldwell and "Beautiful Home", ladies quartet. Accompanist was Mrs. Laura Perry.
The speakers were Bishop M.M. Batty, H. Walter Woolley and Bishop Eaton, who told of the life of the deceased and her part in the mid-pioneering times of the Ashley valley and Vernal. They also paid tribute to her part in the rearing of a large and honored family.
For the time of the year the flowers were profuse and beautiful.
*Spelling and punctuation corrected by me wherein I was aware.