Last Sad Rites for Mr. Shields McIlwain
Died December 30, 1928

Funeral services for Mr. Shields McIlwain, old and
highly respected citizen of Lowndes county, were
held from the Methodist church in Artesia on last
Monday morning at 10 o'clock.  The services were
conducted by Rev. J. D. Ray, pastor of the
Starkville Baptist church, assisted by Rev. V. C.
Curtis, of the Starkville Methodist church, and
Rev. R. S. Woodson, of the Starkville Presbyterian
Church.  Interment was in the Pythian Cemetery
at Artesia and the hosts of friends that attended
and the many beautiful floral offerings attested to
the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

Mr. McIlwain killed himself at the family residence
in Artesia on last Sunday morning about 4 o'clock.
He had been in ill health for many months and worry 
over his condition is thought to have been the motive
for his act.  He was 80 years of age, having been
born in Oktibbeha County in 1849, [this is an error
provided by the survivors who thought they knew, but
he was actually born in Alabama and his birth given
names were General Shields McIlwain] where he lived on
a farm until his removal to Artesia several years ago.
He was a member of the Baptist church and one of the
best beloved and highly respected men in the community.

More than fifty years ago, he was married to Miss 
Rixie Roberts.  Of this union nine children were born.
His aged wife and seven splendid sons who survive him
are as follows:  Doss of A. & M., A. T. of Greenwood,
Walter of Starkville, J. F., Emmett, Mack, and O. G. of
Artesia, a number of grandchildren and other relatives.

The pall-bearers were Edward Hendley, J. H. Thompson,
H. Y. Walker, C. D. Pritchard, S. T. Pilkington, and
L. R. Hamm.  The floral committee was composed of
the following ladies, mesdames Claude Pilkington, L. R.
Hamm, W. L. Cook, Frank Young, T. F. Walker, and
J. D. Roberts.  Martin Undertakers of Starkville had
charge of the funeral.


Transcribed by C. L. Herrick and donated to 
http://oktibbehamsgenealogy.org