Obituary

(submitted by Sue Gill)

Death of Mr. J. F. Currin on Friday- Large Funeral

Oxford Public Ledger, June 16, 1898

Granville County, North Carolina

"Heaven Is Home"

"Friend after friend departs,
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts
That finds not here an end."

Perhaps no death in Oxford or the surrounding country could have severed the fond union of more hearts than was severed on the 10th of June by the death of Brother Joseph F. Currin. Who could be found that loved more people than he loved, and who had the love of more people than he had?  Did any one ever know him and not love him?  Surely not.  Not to love such a man argues a nature incapable of appreciating the pure and noble in others. As a man among men, he was kind, generous and helpful to all, as far as he could be.  He had a heart large enough and full enough of love to help all. Neighbors never had a better neighbor.  As a member and deacon of Enon Baptist church he was punctual, liberal, influential and helpful. As a husband and father he was tender, affectionate, considerate and self-sacrificing.

A striking example of his self-sacrificing of his family is found in his last sickness.  When he went to Baltimore for special medical treatment the doctors there frankly told him that his disease was incurable.  Knowing this fact he returned home, and during the six or seven weeks he lived, he carefully concealed the nature of his disease from his wife, because, nodoubt, he knew it would trouble her.  His sufferings must have been great and yet he bore them patiently, unflinchingly as tho' they were light;  this we believe he did to save his loved ones as much as possible from trouble on his account.  Brother Currin said he would like to live longer, if it were God's will.  Some people live so badly that life is a burden to them. But Bro. Currin lived so well among his fellowmen, in his family and with his God, that life was a joy to him.  But he was ready and willing to die, if God saw it to be best.

I loved Brother Currin as a brother.  For eighteen months we lived under the same roof, almost as if one family.  He was unbounded in his kindness. He was honorable in all his dealings.  Our relationship was of the most pleasant nature.  The loss of such a man makes earth poorer and Heaven richer.

During his long sickness, and at the time of his burial, the whole community gave constant evidence of sympathy and respect.  The large number of beautiful flowers, sent as tokens of sympathy for the sorrowing and respect for the dead, were beautiful beyond description.

His funeral services were conducted in the Oxford Baptist church by his pastor, Rev. R. H. Marsh, assisted by Revs. J.S. Hardaway and J. A. Stradley. He was laid to rest in Elmwood cemetery.  The funeral procession was one among the largest ever seen in Oxford, attesting the high esteem in which this good man was held.  The pall bearers were Messrs. J. M. Phipps, B.F. Hester, S.W. Cooper, T.W. Winston, J. G. Hunt and James H. Long.

Dear brother, "Good night, good night," till we meet again in the morning of the resurrection,      

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