Mrs. Emma R. Carlton, widow of L. W. Carlton, was born in Forsyth, Georgia, August 4, 1868, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Roper.
She moved with her parents to Texas in 1873 and grew to womanhood in
that state. She united with the Methodist Church in her girlhood
and was a faithful member of it until called home. She married Mr. L. W. Carlton, August 1, 1886. To this union were born five sons and four daughters.
In 1896, Mr. Carlton
entered the Methodist Ministry and was a faithful laborer from that
date till his death at Alsea, Oregon, May 20, 1929. Mrs. Carlton
served with her husband in churches in Texas, New Mexico and
Oregon. In all these states she made herself a power for the
up-building of the church and the Kingdom.
The charges served were sometimes on the frontier and the conviences of
life were few and the pay sometimes meager. She was brave
in the face of hardships. Brother Carlton was serving an
excellent station in New Mexico, when his health failed. The rare
air of the high plateau affected his heart and he could not stand the
strain. So at his request, he was transferred and here he served
until his health gave way. He bought a home in the beautiful
Alsea Valley, and here Mrs. Carlton lived and labored for the
church. She was the backbone of this charge and was faithful in
the Church School and all the work of the church in the
community. When the church here was closed, she transferred her
membership to Corvallis that she might not lose her connection with the
Church of her youth and middle life.
Sister Carlton had a deep religious experience and a great faith in
God. She loved the church deeply because she had made great
sacrifice for it.
Mrs. Carlton is survived by three sons and four daughters. She
was very lonely after Brother Carlton went to the home land and visited
much with her children. While on such a visit with a son in Mt.
Shasta City, she fell asleep, May 21, 1938. She was ready to go
and death had no fear for her. She looked upon his call as
opportunity to enter a broader and holier life. She was a
faithful wife, a good mother, and active churchwoman, and an earnest
follower of the Christ. It is still true that Methodists die
well. It was so with our friend, Sister Emma Carlton.
We are richer in living because we knew her. Earth is poorer
because she has gone and heaven is more perfect because she is
there. A friend who knew her and saw her worth, gladly offers
this little tribute.
--E. J. Harper