p. 575 | Obituary by John O. Corliss

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 18, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 36.

Obituary.

By John O. Corliss

The Death of Sister Rice.

LAST week's SIGNS announced the death of Sister Rice. Although the nature of her disease was such that those best acquainted with the case felt she must soon yield to its ravages, yet to some her death was sudden and unexpected. She died of consumption, at the home of her father, Bro. Reuel Stickney, near Little River, Mendocino County, Cal., Sabbath morning, Sept. 6, 1884, aged 32 years, 1 month and 27 days.

Barbara C. Stickney was born in Windsor, Maine. In 1862, her parents removed to California, and very soon located in Mendocino County, where they now reside. Barbara being quite apt, became proficient in her studies, and at the age of twenty commenced teaching. She followed this calling successfully for two years, when, her health failing, she went East.

Sister Barbara was chosen secretary of the California State Tract and Missionary Society of S. D. Adventists in the fall of 1879. She occupied this position, with the exception of one year, up to the time of her death. She was also elected, in 1881, secretary of the California State Conference, and performed the duties of that office for two years with much credit to herself. For some years she was secretary of the State Sabbath-school Association of California, and much of the efficiency of that organization is due to her faithful labors in its behalf. At the time of her death she was also corresponding secretary of the International T. and M. Society. In all these positions, she labored ardently for the success of the work. Every effort was marked with faithfulness and untiring energy. Her devotion to the cause of Christ was life-long, and when strength failed her to longer labor, she often expressed solicitude relative to the progress of the work.

May 18, 1882, she united in marriage with Eld. J. D. Rice, and proved a loving and devoted wife. In the fall of 1883, they went East to recuperate their health, when her disease became aggravated, and she was for a time prostrated. They returned to California last spring, and she grew steadily worse until death came to her relief.

The funeral was attended by a vast concourse of sympathizing friends, to whom the writer spoke from the words, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26.

In the death of Sister Rice, the church at Oakland sustains the loss of a faithful, devoted member, and the California Conference loses one of its most efficient workers. The husband, parents, brothers, and sisters have the sympathy of the church in their deep affliction. J. O. CORLISS.