Mrs. William R. Smith (Mellisa Lane) Obit

Lockhart (Texas) Post, January 22, 1925:

Mrs. William R. Smith died at her home on South Main Street in Lockhart Monday morning January 19th at half past 
six o’clock.  Mrs. Smith had been feeble for a number of years and it may be said that her death was due to old age.  
She had suffered with lagrippe and had suffered slight injury from a fall a few days previous but neither would have 
been considered serious to a person of stronger constitution.  

A funeral service was held at the First Baptist church at ten o’clock Tuesday morning. This service was led by Rev. Bruce
Roberts of San Antonio, a close friend of the family.
Participating in the service were Rev. A.O. Hinkle, pastor of the Lockhart Baptist Church; Rev. Thomas Gregory, pastor
of the Methodist Church; Rev. C.E. More, pastor at the Christian Church.  Rev. Roberts read a portion of the fourth 
chapter of 1st Kings and drew a comparison of the life of the Shumanite woman and that of Mrs. Smith.  At the 
conclusion of the service, the body was laid to rest in Lockhart cemetery.  

The casket at the church was covered with flowers and at the grave the offerings formed a great and beautiful bank.  
The church was filled with the friends and relatives, assembled to pay the last tribute of respect, while at the 
cemetery many more joined the throng making a great multitude.  

The active pallbearers were S.O. McDowell, M.U. Smith, C.F. Richards, 
M.C. Kelly, A.J. Baker, A.W. Mohle.  The honorary pall bearers were A.A. Ross, A.J. Storey, W.B. Kelly, 
Will McMillan, Ross Norman, C.P. Roynl, A.S. Grigsby, Champ Cabaniss, J.M. Cabaniss, A.A. Storey, E.A. Griesebeck, 
J.P. Cardwell, W.C. Coopwood.  

Mrs. Smith, whose maiden name was Melissa Lane, was of ancient and honorable lineage.
She was a daughter of Dr. Pleasant Washington Lane and Mary Calthorpe Lane.  On the paternal side she is descended from a 
Virginia family who trace their ancestry to Captain Lane who was left in charge of the first English settlement 
on the James River.  Her paternal grandmother was a Fitzgerald, a member of the famous family who came to America 
in an early day.  

Mrs. Smith was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, in 1845. She came with her parents to Texas 
in 1847.  Her father, Dr. Pleasant Lane, managed his farm and practiced his profession over a wide scope of country.
Mrs. Smith was a sister to the late Captain J.L. Lane, veteran of the Civil War and for many years an official of 
Caldwell county.  Whatever may be said of the lineage of Mrs. Smith, it was as a noble wife, home-loving mother 
and noble Christian character that she is remembered in this county and this community.  It was her individual 
goodness that causes her memory to be blessed.  She joined the Baptist church soon after her marriage to 
W.R. Smith on December 20, 1865, and was among the most faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Lockhart 
at the time of her death.  

In her younger days Mrs. Smith’s home was one of the most hospitable.  The stranger 
was never turned away and ministers of all denominations were invited to find shelter there and to remain as 
long as they would.  The mere mention of Mrs. Smith’s name brought to mind among those who knew her the Christian
activities in which she all her life had part. Mrs. Smith is survived by her aged husband and the following 
children: Mrs. B.E. Keese, Lockhart; E.F. Smith, Marlin; T.L. Smith, Waco; J.T. Smith, Houston; 
Miss Bessie Smith, Lockhart.  All of the children were present at the funeral.