Obiturary Sunday – Caruth Smith Washington

It has come to my attention that a Real Daughter, Caruth Smith Washington, age 104 of Monroe, New Jersey, passed away on November 20, 2012, at Cranbury Nursing Home, Monroe.  She was the daughter of a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient and believed to be the last direct descendant of a slave in America.            

Born to the late Gertrude Catlett Smith and Color Sergeant Andrew Jackson Smith, Caruth was an educator and community activist in CA and NY.  She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Edward L. Washington: son, Ricque Le'Seur, Sr. and sister Susan Shelton.  Survived by her grandchildren,China, Bart, Che, and Ricque Le'Seur, Jr., two nephews; one niece and a host of relatives and friends.

The memorial service was Wed., Dec. 5th at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Somerset, NJ.  The arrangements are by Anderson Funeral Service. No mention of where she is buried.

The obit is a Central Jersey newspaper, online (see below) and published in Home News Tribune on December 4, 2012:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mycentraljersey/obituary.aspx?n=caruth-smith-washington&pid=161454506#fbLoggedOut.

Submitted by Jim Monteton

Posted by Ron Setzer

Sunday's Obituary – Luella June Lage Givens

Burial: Buffalo Township Cemetery ~ Titonka, Iowa 

Luella June Givens was born June 14, 1917 in Latimer, Iowa the 11th of 13 children of James and Augusta (Witt) Lage. She grew up in Latimer graduating high school in 1936.

Luella was united in marriage to Morris O. Givens on June 5, 1936 at Calmar, IA. In earlier years, they lived in Latimer and Council Bluffs and then lived in Algona from 1947 to 1956. They then moved to Titonka where Morris was a rural mail carrier. 

Luella and Morris enjoyed traveled to many conventions and enjoyed being with family. They spent some of their retirement summers working at a resort in Minnesota. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Titonka Care Center Help Mates, the Birthday Club, the Friendly Club, and the Titonka Lions and Lioness Clubs. 

Luella J. Givens died Friday, August 10, 2007 at the Hancock Memorial Hospital in Britt at the age of 90. She had been a resident of the Titonka Care Center since November 1999. 

She is survived by a son, Jae Givens and his wife Janet of Algona; two grandchildren, Melanie Matheny of Des Moines, and Michael Givens and his wife Alesha of Berwick; two great-grandchildren, Isaac and Kierra Matheny; one brother, Leland Lage of Sacramento, CA; a sister-in-law, Agnes Lage of Meservey, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Hazel Lage; her husband, Morris on February 10, 1987; and 11 brothers and sisters.

Submitted by DeAnna Lage Setzer

Posted by Ron Setzer

Sunday's Obituary - Carlos Vincent Beyer

Carlos Vincent Beyer was born December 14, 1895, in New Orleans. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent L. Beyer. When quite a small boy his parents moved to Bay St. Louis, where he entered the public schools. Some years later his parents moved to Ocean Springs. Here he became deeply interested in the study and culture of citrus fruits. Removing some five years ago to Wiggins he and his father took charge of the nursery of that place, and for two years he was engaged in setting out the orange groves in that vicinity. In September, 1914, he entered the Harrison County Agricultural High School to prepare himself to enter upon the study of his chosen profession, that of an entomologist. He was a student of this school until the time of his death, which occurred in Wiggins, December 12, 1915. His school mates accompanied his body to Ocean Springs, where his funeral was held at the Catholic Church of that place. Memorial services were conducted at the same hour in the Agricultural High School by Rev. Sells of Wiggins and Rev. Davis of Perkinston under the direction of the Junior Class, of which he was a member.

As a student Carlos was ambitious and conscientious, carefully preparing each day the assignments, satisfied only with his best efforts. In every phase of school life he proved himself faithful and trustworthy. His death was a shock to the entire school, where he was respected and loved by both faculty and student body.

[transcribed from obituary in unknown newspaper.]

Posted by Ron Setzer