Cynthia B. Nalley McCormack Holliday

Cynthia B. Nalley, daughter of Hezekiah and Susan Nalley, was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, October 1, 1816. At the age of fifteen years, she with her parents removed to Hampshire co, WV, and in the year 1834 she was married to James McCormack. to this union eleven children were born, Ellen, Mariah, James, Susan, John, Jessie, William, George, Mahala and two which died in infancy. Of this number only five are living, viz: James of Pasadena, CA, Jessie of Bates Co, MO, William of Vandalia, MO, George of Pike Co, MO and Mahala Houchins of Louisiana, MO. Besides these there are 38 grand children and 30 great grand children. In the fall of 1839 she, with her family came to Missouri, settling near Louisiana, where, she spent the remainder of her life. Her husband died December 1872, leaving her to care and provide for this large family, which she did willingly, enduring many hardships but ever mindful of her duty towards her children and her God, she labored on constantly endeavoring to keep each and everyone in the paths of right, her one great aim being to make each child an honorable and upright citizen. On March 11, 1877, she married Rev. James Holliday, with whom she lived happily until December 17, 1900 when he too crossed over to the Great Beyond. Since which time she has lived with her step-son, F.M. Holliday, who with the assistance of his good wife kindly ministered to her every want. She joined the Methodist church in Virginia when quite young and after moving to Pike County she transferred her membership to Nalley's Chapel. She remained a loyal and faithful member of this church, was a consistent Christian character and passed away with the full assurance of an eternal rest. The last four years of her life she suffered greatly from heart trouble. On December 26, 1906, she was paralyzed, from which time on she suffered intensely until the end came, January 24, 1907. She being at the time of her death 90 years, 3 months and 23 days of age. The funeral was preached by Bro. Watson on Friday, January 25, after which the remains of this grand old mother in Israel, whose virtues and graces will live long in the memory of our people, were taken to the Bethany cemetery near by, followed by a number of sorrowing relatives and friends and laid to rest. To those who mourn for her you need not as those who have no hope; for the same God she served, whose Son she believed in and accepted, has promised a reunion of all who live Him and serve Him, after this fitful dream of life is over. She cannot come back to you, but that you may go to her is a bow of promise God has set for all who serve Him, she will be given back to you over there. Dear grandma has gone, To rest, sweet rest, The home of the ransomed, The home of the blest. Behind she leaves Four sons and a daughter Who too must cross over Deaths dar, chilly waters To meet their dear mother Who has gone on before To draw them nearer That heavenly shore. Farewell, dear grandma, We have laid you away, There to await The great judgment day. May the clods of the valley rest lightly on her grave. The funeral of Mrs. Cynthia Holliday was conducted from the residence of Tobe Holliday by Rev. Watson at 2 p.m. Friday and the remains were interred in Bethany cemetery. Mrs. Holliday was the mother of 11 children, grandmother of 38 children and great grandmother of 30 children. Mrs. Cynthia B. Holliday died Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the home of Tobe Holliday on the Briscoe farm, west of town, of paralysis, aged 90 years and 3 months. The funeral was conducted Friday afternoon from the residence by Rev. Watson and the remains were interred in Bethany cemetery.

© 2000 Rhonda Stolte Darnell