The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., April 12, 1917, page 7

AT REST

     Sarah Belinda Hayword was born July 19, 1858, in western Canada. She came to Michigan with her parents in 1852.
     In 1869 she was married to Lafaette Gardner, and to this union that were born five children, three daughters and two sons. Two of these have preceded their mother to the world beyond. She leaves to mourn her departure, a husband, one son, Aura Gardner, of Port Offord, Ore., and two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Kemick, of Madison, Neb., and Mrs. Carrie Vee Brown, of this place, with whom she was residing at the time of her death, April 7th, 1917.
     She was a true wife and a devoted mother, and though many adversities came to her in life, yet she always tried to look on the brighter side, with good words for everyone, friend or foe. While never a member of any church, she believed and trusted in her Saviour, as is shown by a little verse that was found where she had been writing just a few days before her death:

"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child.
Pity my simplicity.
Suffer me to come to Thee.

Fain would I to Thee be brought,
Gracious Lord forbid it did not.
In the Kingdom of thy Grace,
Give a little child a place."

     And it would seem her prayer was answered as she gently fell asleep. No greater tribute can be paid to her memory, than to say a little verse composed by herself a symbol of her life.

Farewell mother, we will miss you;
There will be your vacant chair.
But we hope someday to meet you,
In that city over there.

Where there is no pain or sorrow;
Where no tear bedims the eye;
But where all is joy and gladness,
Never more a sad goodbye.

She has paid the debt we all must pay.
Ah, how soon there's none to tell.
When our name is called, we too must answer.
Until that time, dear one farewell.

Mrs. J. T. Hollett.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer