Eliza Kearney Pollard  

Eliza was the oldest child and the only daughter of John James & Celia Howell Kearney. She was born April 29, 1878, died April 5, 1929. Aunt Liza, as she was called by her many neices and nephews, having no children of her own, spent many hours entertaining the children around her. She seem to always be around the house and had time for them. Her brother, William Berry Kearney, wrote the following obituary. It is obvious that he was not fond of Frank Pollard, her husband, whom she lived with for about four months. I have been told that he had to 'tone it down' before the editor would print it. (MK)

THE OBITUARY OF ELIZA KEARNEY POLLARD

“It is with a felt sense of sadness and loneliness that I attempt to write of the death of my dear and only sister in the flesh, Eliza Kearney Pollard.

Judging from the evidences of a hope in christ, she often spake of to me during the past twenty-five years, having experienced a hope about the year 1904; and the characteristics demonstrated during these years in her daily life were (namely) love, joy, peace, faith, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance which are fruits of the spirit. I feel assured that she is asleep in Jesus. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev.14:13. She often spake to me of the doubts, fears, trials, temptations and sorrows that she had to suffer by reason of sin and transgression. 'But if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him', said the Apostle.

From a felt sense of unworthiness, she declined to follow her Lord in baptism until October 14, 1920. She came before the church at Mewborns, asked for a home and was received unanimously. She was baptized that afternoon by the unworthy writer (W.B.K.)

Sister was very much interested in good singing and often met with father, brothers, neighbors, and friends to sing the songs of Zion. Many times did she go with me to my appointments, to mingle with her brethren and sisters in worship of her Lord and Saviour. Her motto was 'better to suffer wrong that to do wrong', oh! how she loved peace.

She was born April 29, 1878, and died April 5, 1929, her age being 50 years, 11 months and 6 days. In April of 1926, she was married to Frank Pollard, who proved to be ill, unkind, and an enemy to the Cause she dearly loved. Therefore; she came back to fathers in September of the same year, and lived with him until her death.

She was afflicted with high blood pressure for years. About the last four months of her life, she suffered greatly with high blood, cancer, and brights disease. But patiently, she bore it all until the end came.

Lord grant that we may all bow in humble submission, to all dispensations of Thy providence and grace. That we may say with Job of old, 'the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of Lord!'.

(Elder) William Berry Kearney

NOTE: About 1925 John James and Celia Jane gave each of their children a small farm, holding a life estate. Uncle Berry got the area that is considered his homeplace, Uncle Jim got the farm where Leon and James lived, or part of it. Stephen got the older homeplace and Aunt Liza land was the graveyard field and the field east of the old home house, next to the Mitchell land and where the tenant house used to sit. The Kearneys purchased the Thenia Ham Peacock place, where Henry and Clyde lived, and after the death of Aunt Liza, a deal was made that allowed Stephen to get Aunt Liza part and Uncle Jim got the Ham land.

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