Mrs. Susan C. Hirons, a respected lifetime citizen of Waltonville, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ray Mannen, in Waltonville at 9:45 a.m. today. Her age was 86 years, ten months and 17 days.

Her husband, the late Sidney T. Hirons, at one time served as county treasurer of Jefferson county.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at the Methodist church in Waltonville conducted by the Reverend Baker of Charleston, Illinois. Burial will be in Knob Prairie Township, Blissville. The body will remain at Myers Chapel until 2 p.m. Friday, then will be removed to the Mannen home in Waltonville where it will lie in state until the funeral hour.

Mrs. Hirons was born August 30, 1854 in Waltonville, the daughter of John Dodds and Emmaline Keller Dodds.

She is the last member of that pioneer Jefferson county family.

On November 18, 1875, she was united in marriage with Sidney T. Hirons at Waltonville. He died on June 13, 1910.

She is survived by two sons, Hugh Hirons of Waltonville and John D. Hirons of Fresno, California; two daughters, Mrs. Ruth Davis of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Ray Mannen of Waltonville; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Three brothers and one sister preceded her in death. They were Neal and Dave Dodds of Mt. Vernon, Billy Doddds of Oklahoma and Mrs. Margaret Mannen of Carbondale."

After a lingering illness, Mrs. Susan C. Hirons passed away Thursday morning July 17, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ray Mannen in Waltonville, at the age of 86 years, 10 months, 17 days.

She was the daughter of John D. and Emiline Keller Dodds, one of the pioneer families of Jefferson county. She was one of a family of five, her three brothers David D., W. Neal, and Wm. S. with a sister, Mrs. Margaret A. Mannen, preceding her.

She was married in Sidney T. Hirons son of Benjamin and Emily Place Hirons on November 18, 1875.

To them were born four children Mrs. Ruth Davis of Mt. Vernon, John D. of Fresno, California, Wm. Hughs and Mrs. Ray Mannen of Waltonville, all of whom survive, together with six grandchilden: Lucille Bean, Margaret Cullen, Sidney Hirons, Marjorie Martin, Merritie Mannen, Leland Mannen, and three great grandchildren Patty and Sue Cullen and Bobby Bean.

The deceased lived all her life in and near Waltonville. While Mrs. Hirons was not affiliated with the Primitive Baptist Church, she was a strong believer in the faith and lived its principles. She was truly a Christian woman.

In her family she was gentle kind and loving in her home life she was unassuming true and devoted. No one ever came into her home that did not feel the warmth and genuine hospitality of a friendly and sympathetic heart.

In the long affliction of her husband she never murmured or grew weary.

In her own long illness she was always cheerful and hoping that she would soon grow better. She was all that a devoted wife and a loving mother could be.

She leaves for the living, unwritten precepts of a life which will make us grow stronger in that faith which will light the darkest path way along life's journey. She lived such a faith that if we could feel her comforting and sympathetic life just now, it would be as that great poet who said:

Crossing of the Bar for such a Christian life as she lived is one of rest and peace in the life that is immortal.

Funeral services were held Saturday at the M.E. Church conducted by Elder D. E. Baker of Charleston, Illinois. Six nephews acted as pall bearers. Interment was in Knob Prairie Cemetery.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: Thursday, July 17, 1941 (first obituary)
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 1941 (second obituary)
Submitted by: "Family Links" - February 25, 2003