Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Gleason, Lucretia R. (Ray) 1901
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Lyons Herald, 26 Dec 1901

Died at the home of her son, Francis T. Gleason in the village of Lyons, 
Michigan, on Friday morning, December 20, Mrs. Lucretia R. Gleason, aged 82 
years, 10 months and 12 days.

The funeral services were held Sunday morning at the Methodist church, being 
conducted by Rev. J C. Jewell, assisted by Revs. Bowen and Ogden.  The text, 
“To Live Is Christ and to Die is Gain,” was one chosen by deceased and from it 
Mr. Jewell preached a helpful and consoling sermon.  The pall bearers were 
Messrs. Thayer, Boyden, Bunnell and Dougherty.  The W.R.C., W.C.T.U. and the 
M.E. Church furnished beautiful floral designs.

Rev. J. R. Bowen read the following biographical sketch of deceased:

Friday morning, Dec. 20, as the hands of the clock indicated the hour of 1:40 
the spirit of our sainted Mother in Israel, Mrs. Lucretia R. Gleason, took its 
departure from its tenement of clay and the scenes of this earthly abode to 
that brighter and better abode beyond the shores of time.  The mortal part will 
soon be consigned to the cold silent grave, but our sorrow is mitigated by the 
cheering thought that our loved one is not buried beneath the soil, but has 
passed over the river to join the great company of redeemed and to everlasting 
fellowship with Christ.

Sister Gleason, whose maiden name was Lucretia R. Ray, was born in the state of 
Vermont, Feb. 8, 1819.  In due time she became a resident of Schuylerville, 
Saratoga county, N.Y., where in 1841, at the age of 22 years, she was united in 
marriage to John F. Gleason.  In 1849 the family moved to Michigan and settled 
in Clinton county, where they remained several years.  Soon after the death of 
her husband, in 1880 at Chesaning, Mich., she came to Lyons, where for 21 years 
she has had a welcome and pleasant home with her son Francis and wife.

Thus far this sketch has been brief that more attention might be given to the 
incidents of her 21 years sojourn in Lyons.  During the winter of 1882 and 83, 
while attending revival meetings conducted by Rev. D. W. Parsons, she became 
deeply concerned regarding her eternal interests.  Responding to her 
convictions she found her way to the church altar, where after earnest prayer 
and supplication for pardon, her burden of sin was removed and with 
exclamations of joy she arose a new creature in Christ Jesus.  With her, old 
things had passed away and all things became new.  Deeply impressed by these 
new experiences, and prompted by a desire to aid others in securing the “Pearl 
of Great Price,” she deemed it advisable for her own good, as well as the good 
she might do for others, to promptly unite with the church.  Thus she became a 
valuable acquisition to the M.E. Church of Lyons and until the day of her death 
gave undoubted evidence of the earnest devotion to the work of the Master.

Every department of christian labor enjoyed her earnest efforts.  The public 
service, prayer and testimony meetings, the Epworth League, Sunday school, 
temperance cause and all the benevolent enterprises of the church lay near her 
heart.  Her christian life, though deep and abiding, was of a quiet and 
unobtrusive character.  Always so consistent that no one acquainted with her 
ever entertained a doubt as to the genuineness of her conversion or the 
christian profession she made.

The gentle and loving nature of Mrs. Gleason or Grandma Gleason as she was 
familiarly called, won all hearts to her, making her a favorite with both the 
old and young.  Notwithstanding the infirmities of age she did not become 
morose and forbidding, but wisely kept in sympathetic touch with the younger 
element of the church and sought to aid them in all their christian enterprises.

She was a devoted member of the W.C.T.U. and only in unusually severe weather, 
was always present at their meetings.  By that devoted hand of White Ribbon 
workers she will be greatly missed.  Regarding her efforts along that line, the 
Savior’s commendation of Mary at Bethany is appropriate, “she hath done what 
she could.”

So thoroughly was this excellent lady enthroned in the affections of the 
membership of both church and temperance union, so sincerely do they mourn her 
loss, that they might consistently be seated with the bereaved family and 
relatives.

In this connection it may be pardonable for me to give expression to my sense 
of personal loss, for sister Gleason was among the first of my acquaintances in 
Lyons, nearly 20 years ago, and since my residence in the place she has always 
been a most welcome guest in our home, while her exemplary christian life has 
ever been an inspiration for good.  Many interesting incidents might be given 
and this sketch indefinitely extended but we forego.

Her last days were peaceful and serene.  Her unfaltering faith in the Great 
Redeemer gave her glorious victory to the last moment of conscious life.

We record in the register of the militant church, “Died In the Lord,” but the 
recording angel, without a doubt, has enrolled her name with the blood washed 
and glorified.


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