Letter from Blanch South Fox to Zelma written at the time of Samuel South's funeral on 19 November 1949.

 

20 November 1949

 

Dear Zelma:

 

While at the funeral yesterday, Elayne asked me to write a record of Grandfather's life for her Book of Remembrance so I included a copy for you and thought I'd write a note about your father's funeral.

 

We all missed you, but inasmuch as you could stay such a short time, I'm almost glad you are coming in February when you can be with your mother a bit longer. (Zelma tried to come but she got as far as New York and due to bad weather conditions, had to return to Mass.)

 

The services were very nice, all paid tribute to your father's hard working habits and honesty, his determination to get an education, his teaching and counsel and sound advice given to many.

 

The flowers were all beautiful, most being chrysanthemums of every hue! His casket was beautiful also. He was very, very thin and looked as though, he had suffered much.  Death can be so wonderful. I think that it has been three years since he started getting lost and that seems sad, but even so when one thinks of seventy-five years of good living there is still much for which to be thankful.

 

Dorothy (Charlie's) who seems to have been as close as anyone to them at present, said that for the last six weeks he hasn't known anyone so even had you been here he maybe wouldn't have known you.

 

Mother, Wm., Ruth, Sarah, Ross and I and our two little boys went from here. It was a perfect sunny day and things couldn't have gone smoother. Following the services, we went to Elgie's where the Relief Society had prepared a real smorgasbord for everyone. We filled all the tables, counter and every nook, and the meal was delicious.

 

There were not too many of the native people present. One speaker said that they hadn't known he would be buried so soon and the people had not been notified of his death. I was glad he was buried in Randolph with his children and parents. The range of hills looked so beautiful on both sides, and the reunion in heaven must have been wonderful with all but one “home” again.

 

I wondered what Aunt Kate and Uncle Charles thought - as well as Mother.  (Her mind is failing now and too she is worried about it, and so am I, though there is absolutely nothing we can do. Everything we say seems to hurt her feelings and she has crying spells all night long which is anything but good for her, but she doesn't seem to be able to control it.)

 

It is late and I want to get the children to bed, so will quit, but just wanted to write you a note, though I suppose you have already talked to them by phone. Mother was especially disappointed when you weren't there, so please plan to see us when you come too, if possible.

 

Love,

/s/ Blanch