Mrs. J. A. BALDRIDGE CLAIMED BY DEATH

Mrs. Sarah T. Baldridge, wife of James A. Baldridge, pioneer and estimable citizen of this city, died at her home here, at 321 South Locust Street, Saturday evening at 8 o'clock. She had been confined to her bed since December 26, 1933, after sustaining a broken hip from a fall which resulted in other conplications that proved fatal.

She was an ideal mother in her devotion and love for her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Baldridge was born October 5, 1854 at Albion, Ohio, the daughter of Francis and Eliza (Merridith) Day and at an early age moved with her parents and brothers to West Virginia, where they resided until 1876 and at that time again with her parents moved to Illinois and located near Alma.

She was united in marriage to James A. Baldridge, January 19, 1888 at Salem, Illinois, and shortly afterwards settled near Irvington and lived near and in Irvington until coming to Centralia several years ago.

Mrs. Baldridge, or more familiarly known "Grandma Baldridge" to most who knew her, united with the Christian Church in Irvington, later this church being moved east of Irvington and is now known as the Fouts Church, and she later transferred her membership to the Christian Church in Centralia, where she remained a true and faithful Christian.

Surviving, besides her husband, are three daughters and one son, William L. Baldridge, of Centrailia, Mrs. Estella Sweckard of Heyworth, Illinois, Mrs. John Radley of Centralia, and Mrs. Ora Foster, also of Centralia, also two brothers, James Day, of Auburn, West Virginia, and Thomas Day of near Centralia, also Jasper and John Day of Alma, the latter two preceding her in death. Besides these she is survived by fourteen grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Funeral services were held from the Roy T. Baldridge Funeral home this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, with the Rev. J. F. Rosborough of Eureka, Illinois, officiating, with interment in Elmwood cemetery.

Source: An old newspaper clipping from Estella Houghton-Sweckard
Date: Unknown
Submitted by Jackie Kwasigroh
Relationship: my husband's g-g-grandmother