William Byron Adams
William Byron Adams, son of J.E. and M. Adams, was born April 21, 1876, in Richland Township, and died September 8, 1901, of heart disease, at the home of his parents northwest of Decatur. He was laid to rest in the brick cemetery beside his brother, near the place where he was born, on Monday, September 9. Reverend Joseph Edwards conducted the funeral services at the church near the cemetery. In the winter of 1894 he united with Camden Baptist Church, was baptized by Reverend J.G. Eaton and ever after lived as an earnest Christian.
Prior to his death, after rallying from a bad spell, he called for pencil and paper. Then he wrote a communication, put it in an envelope, sealed it and addressed it as follows: "Don't open this until I am gone." The words he wrote are as follows:
"I now realize my time on earth is limited. These words may be sad to you but grieve not for me for I am going home to rest. My desire is to meet you all at God's right hand. If possible I want Brother Joe Edwards to preach my funeral and lay me at rest beside Wesley in the brick cemetery. I am prepared to go. I fear no evil at crossing the river of death. My hopes are bright and fair. I know I shall soon be with Jesus to reign forever in that land prepared for his children. All meet me there and tell my friends to do the same. My choice of songs is: 1. "I Shall Know Him by the Prints of the Nails in His Hands." 2. "We'll Never Say Good-bye in Heaven." 3. "I Hope to Meet You All in Glory."
He had been sick all summer and realized that his time on earth was short. He was fully prepared to meet his God and therefore wanted to leave this testimony to his friends. He wanted them to be prepared as he was. He never murmured or complained a word through all his sufferings.
Some day in that bright home above,
Around His Blessed throne
We'll sing with Him forever there
In our immortal home.
Jennie McCalla Adams
Posted in Decatur County JournalSeptember 19, 1901
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Re: William Byron Adams
Deborah Stanley 5/17/02