Description
“AUNT MARTH WAS A SLAVE – Spent Life in One Family – Death of Old Colored Woman Takes Another of the Few Old Time Darkies” Born a slave in the family of Bart Dean in 1857, the little picanny who was named Martha Owens, had instilled into her child mind the relation of colored folks to white people and that teaching she never forgot. She died a few days ago and is mourned as one of the family with whom she lived. And why should it be otherwise? At five years of age she was given by Mr. Dean to his daughter, Mrs. Owens as her own. Slavery was abolished but the girl preferred to remain with her mistress. Years came and went, but Aunt Marth as she came to be known as she grew older, remained with the Owens family. She regarded herself in the light of slavery days, and took her place in the family with the same attitude of respect and love. Changes came to the Owens family and for years the old colored woman has lived with Mrs. Lydia Hillix and Miss Frankie Owens, granddaughters of Bart Dean. And during the last 12 years she has had repaid in kind for the faithful attention and service she gave to the family in her days of activity. Ill health rendered the willing body helpless and for 12 years she was an invalid. Never was she allowed to suffer for care. Just as kindly as if the black face had been white and the loyal blood in her veins had been of their own kind, Mrs. Hillix and Miss Owens cared for the old slave. Four weeks ago paralysis stiffened the worn out form and on Saturday, June 4, she suffered another stroke. Friday morning, just at 10:30 she passed away. Provision had been made for honorable burial of Aunt Marth away back in the life time of Bart Dean, who arranged for her grave in the family lot at Camden Point. This plan was carried out. At the home, Saturday, scripture reading and prayer was given by J. W. Morgan, and the obituary read. The body was then taken to Camden Point and buried with the respect which honor, trustworthiness and faithfulness, always commands, be it found beneath black skin or white.Date(s) of Creation
6/16/1927
