obit:AVERY, Rhoda Augusta DODGE
b: Mar 28 1838, Marietta, OH
1870 census: age 82 (should be 32) keeping house, h'hold of Angus Avery 115
1920 census: age 81, in h'hold of Hugh McClung (Mack) Fewel 133
d: Jul 26 1923, Henry Co, MO
bur: Englewood Cemetery AA-AZ, Clinton, Clinton Twp, Henry Co, MO
Clinton MO - Death of Mrs. A. C. Avery - This occurred at 2 a.m. Thursday, July 26th, 1923, after years of frail health or practically ever since the death of her husband, September 18, 1911. She died in her own home, cared for by Mack Fewel and wife. She was born March 28, 1838, at Marietta, Ohio, and married A. C. Avery, July 3, 11860, in Cumberland county, Tennessee. Coming to Clinton a bride, she at once identified herself as a woman of rare culture and refinement and her ready sympathies and help inn all those years of the eighteen-sixties made her beloved and respected by all. When a small girl, her parents and family moved to the Cumberland mountains of Tennessee, on account of the health of their son John Dodge, who was an artist. She attended the Burritt College, at Spencer, Tennessee, where she met her future husband, A. C. Avery. He was the valedictorian of his class in this college when she graduated and was also valedictorian of her class the year or so after when she graduated. She was a fine scholar, education appealing to her very much. She was a splendid mathematician and in an old autograph album there is a written commendation of one of her professors, in which there is a difficult problem, which he said she would always remember. She liked nothing better than a problem or puzzle and always was ready to help any of her children with their lessons. She had saved many of her essays, which were real masterpieces. Particularly fine was a college essay recently found by her daughter, Mrs. Fewel, on "How youth should treat those in declining years." It contained much fine sentiment that she put into everyday practice when she tenderly cared for her own mother, Mrs. Dodge, who died in her 95th year, just a few years ago. In fact, Mrs. Avery gave her most devoted care when she herself was not able. She did not fritter away her time on society or the things of life that do not count for eternity. Instead she and her husband, with their education and ability, threw their whole selves into the work of real home building and for the Master. Nine children blessed the union. One daughter, Katherine, died in infancy. All the rest lived to be mature men and women. All received college educations except one, who preferred to start into business. The town and community always had the utmost respect for Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Avery's fine sons and daughters, who were unspoiled by wealth. Everyday, as they grew up, they were taught to be home lovers first, then all were early lead to follow the steps of the Master and united with His people. As they have founded homes of their own in far off cities, we always find them closely allied with the church of their parents' faith - the Baptist. Oftentimes tho the busiest men of their town, they have served as Sunday School superintendents and in other places where service counts most. Most only that, but their children are taught to tread the paths of righteousness. Surely no better testimony can be made of any life than that of the lives of their children and children's children. Soon after they moved to Clinton the Baptist church was organized. Her husband, already a Baptist, was a charter member. She had been raised a Presbyterian, but as soon as the church was organized, united with it, being one of the first members and one of the twenty who helped build the present edifice. She and her husband threw their whole lives into the work of their Master, giving themselves and money unstintingly, not only to the furtherance of the local Baptist church and the cause, but their work and money extended to thousands of dollars of endowments to William Jewel College, as well as to state, national and foreign missions. They worked with one mind and one heart for the cause they loved. Mr. Avery served for nearly half a century as deacon and Sunday School superintendent, while she served an equal length of time as treasurer of the Women's Missionary Society and other capacities. No day was too hot or too cold for her to walk clear across the town, even when in her late seventies, to minister to a friend sick or in need, or to attend to the duties of her church societies. She was always the first to be on hand to help. Hers was a character of unusual worth and one of rare beauty. But after all, in her home was where she shone best of all, for she was an excellent housekeeper, never anything allowed to go undone. Her home on South 2nd street, a real mansion in size, but just sufficiently large to house a happy family of wholesome boys and girls, was a beauty spot in Clinton for 25 years. The interior decorations, arrangement and choosing of the furniture, showed the artist hand and the home loving instinct of this little mite of a twinkling eyed woman. Even after she knew not what she was doing, she would sweep and dust constantly. Hospitality ever reigned supreme in this home. Every Baptist minister who was ever in Clinton had sometimes been a guest of this household, as well as every traveler, lecturer and people who were trying to improve conditions. The unfortunate too, were not forgotten, and all were sheltered with equal hospitality. Her husband lived a year after they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and had the last family reunion. This was July 3, 1910. A few years later her beloved oldest son, Gus, died in Sidney, Australia, with pneumonia, while making a tour around the world. This, with the great sorrow of her husband's death and the disease of hardening of the arteries, caused her memory to slip and a few years she had forgotten the present, all except the happy memories of her youth. When more than a year ago, her son, Angus Avery, at Shreveport, Louisiana, died, she did not know. Neither when her eldest daughter, Mrs. Henry Arnold, died in Denver, Colorado, five months ago. It was a blessing she did not. Her daughter, Mrs. Mack Fewel, has given her the most devoted care that we have ever seen. During all these years, there were but very few hours that she had been away from the dear mother's call. During the last weeks of suffering, she devotedly ministered to her day and night, never even undressing for many days. Surely Mrs. Avery was blessed even to the last minute on earth with such a daughter. It is blessed to know she is now asleep to awaken in heaven and the joys of her reward. Her maiden name was Rhoda Augusta Dodge, and as her husband was closely allied with the early laying out of Clinton, Augusta street, in the east part of Clinton, was named for her. She leaves two sisters - Mrs. Amelia Snyder, age 91, and Mrs. Kate Zener, both of Hollywood, California. She also leaves four sons - Will H. Avery, Los Angeles, California; Howard Avery, Norfolk, Virginia; Herbert Avery, Roanoke, Virginia. The latter two are twins. Walter Avery, Chicago, Illinois; also one daughter, Mrs. Mack Fewel, Clinton. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and one adopted grandchild. The funeral services were conducted at her late home Friday afternoon. Buried beside her husband in Englewood.