Adaran Miranda Walden Upton's Obituary

Adaran Upton died 14 June 1891 at home in Baldwin, Florida. A beautiful article written about her appeared in The Florida Times Union June 19, 1891.

IN MEMORIAM. A Tribute to the Life and Christian Character of Mrs. A. M. Upton. Died at Baldwin, Fla. on the 13th day of June 1891 in the 58th year of her age, Mrs. A. M. Upton, wife of Benjamin Upton. Mrs. Upton was born in Jefferson County, Ga. where she joined the Methodist church and professed religion in her Lord and Savior early in life. At the age of 22 years she married Mr. Upton and became a devoted and affectionate wife and mother, living a quiet and Christian life. Her health was generally good up to about eight months ago when her lungs becoming affected she rapidly failed in health, and for the last three months had been confined to her room lashed by the unrelenting scourge consumption. And while she well knew that the dreaded monster must soon claim his victim, yet she opened not her mouth in complaint, but was resigned to her Maker's will, and on nearing death, when she realized that she must soon leave the present and those who were near and dear to her here, being in a most rational condition, she called her husband and those of her children who were near to her bedside, and with a smile on her lips and love beaming from her eyes, the windows of a patient soul, she told them that Christ was waiting for her, that she would soon be gone, and that she wanted them to remember what she was about to say to them. She then proceeded to admonish them to be good to each other, to live honest, virtuous and Christian lives and to strive to meet her in heaven. After this she said but little, soon breathing her last without a struggle when the unfettered soul winged its way to its abode of rest and joy. Her remains were interred in the silent city near Baldwin, there to await the awakening trump of God, when all must stand before the great white throne to receive of the things done in the body. The funeral services were conducted at the grave by Rev. Mr. Snyder of Jacksonville, Fla. in a beautiful manner. Peaceful be her silent slumber, in the gloomy vault below, Until the resurrection morning, when all in Christ we hope to know. D.J.P.

Adaran died from consumption, more commonly known as tuberculosis. She would have suffered much, and as her obituary indicates, she must have been a very strong, loving mother and faith-filled woman to meet death as she did. She appears to have held fast to her Methodist-Episcopalian faith to the end. The Rev. Mr. Snyder mentioned in her obituary, was E. B. Snyder, pastor of Trinity M.E. Church in Jacksonville for whom the Snyder Memorial Methodist Church was named. The DJP who penned Adaran's obituary was Daniel J. Parish of Baldwin. George Tanner, George Wilkerson and he witnessed her will May 25, 1891. All were prominent members of the Baldwin community and no doubt friends of the family. Adaran was buried in the Upton family cemetery in Baldwin, FL. Her tombstone reads: Adaran M. Wife of Benjamin Upton Died June 14, 1891 aged 56 years. Silently slumbering I am here, Beneath the dreary sod, Waiting the summons from on high, To arise and meet my God. Her stone is beautiful white marble with carved stalks of wheat and sprigs of Ivy.