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A Calm and Peaceful Death for Mrs. Martha Berrien Duncan (1896)

She was a daughter of Dr. Richard Berrien and Eliza Bolling Delony, and her first husband was Hugh O'Keefe Nesbitt.

Marietta Journal (Georgia)
Thursday, 16 July 1896
DEATH OF MRS. DUNCAN.
Mrs. Martha Berrien Duncan died at the residence of Mr. T. W. Glover, in this place, on last Monday morning, aged 76 years. Her death was calm and peaceful, like 'one drawing the drapery of his couch around him and lying down to pleasant dreams.' She was the mother of Col. R. T. Nesbitt, State Agricultural Commissioner, and was a most estimable and lovable woman. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and was truly a Christian, and lived and practiced those virtues of charity, kindness and good deeds that alleviate suffering and gave happiness to human hearts. Her funeral took place at the Presbyterian Church on last Tuesday morning, Rev. Dr. Butrolph and Rev. J. H. Patton officiating. Her remains were buried in the Episcopal cemetery. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved.
Entered Into Rest on
July 13, 1896
Martha Berrien Duncan
in the 76th Year of Her Life Here,
Which was One of Loving Service for the Master.

"She stretcheth out her hand
to the poor; yea, she reacheth
forth her hands to the needy."
[Proverbs 31:20]

The same edition of the same newspaper also published the following under the heading of County News: Union Chapel -- "This community mourns in the death of Mrs. Martha B. Duncan, the mother of Commissioner Nesbitt. Hers was a long, beautiful and useful life, full of good lessons and noble deeds. None of us but will carry the kindest recollections of words spoken in generous sympathy and acts done in unselfish kindness. She was largely instrumental in the erection of the Chapel and loving hands have draped it in mourning, expressive of their loss. Peace is her heritage."

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)