Updated: 18 Apr 2007
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Clara Griffin Mann Dies in Seattle
Rarely has Edmond been so shocked, as when, on Tuesday Morning, the sad
intelligence came that Clara Griffin Mann had passed away at a hospital in
Seattle. A letter received the day before stated she was suffering from
influenza but the family had no reason to feel that there was a cause for alarm.
With a swiftness characteristic of this dread disease, the change for the worse
came and loved ones were left to face the fact of their great bereavement.
Clara Griffin was born Dec. 17, 1881 and passed from this life Oct. 22, 1918 at
the age of 36 years. Only our faith in Devine justice can reconcile us to the
passing of one so young, so beautiful in every way, so eminently fit to live.
Life held so much joy for her, and for others because of her. Perhaps one ray of
comfort is in the thought that her life has held so little of unhappiness. An
only sister, she was beloved by her brothers and a joy to her mother. Because of
a sweet, sunny disposition, all of her acquaintances were her friends. To the
Methodist church, of which she was a member, she gave the same loving, loyal
interest which always characterized her efforts.
A member of Edmond chapter P.E.O., she rendered such appreciative service that
it was with very great regret her chapter saw her go to take up distant duties.
She graduated from Central Normal in the class of 1904, and later taught at
Altus, Norman and Clinton.
On Sept. 28, 1910, she was married to Ned C. Mann and by this marriage were
joined two young people in every way capable of maintaining an ideal home.
Three years ago they left St. Louis for a better opening in Bellingham, Wash.,
where they made their home until about six months ago when Mr. Mann's work
called them to Seattle. Here it pleased the Father to consider her life work
done, and she passed away Oct. 22, 1918.
She leaves to mourn for her a most devoted husband and two little ones, Dorothy,
age 6 years, and Robert Ellsworth, age 16 months. Also her mother Mrs. Lizzie
Griffin, of Edmond, and five brothers as follows: Harry L., Chas. W., Ira D.,
Elmer E. all of Oklahoma, and Floyd F., of Portland, Oregon.
Burial will take place at Seattle Wash., Thursday p.m. at 3 o'clock, under the
direction of the P.E.O. Society. Owing to the distance, none of the family could
be present at the last sad rites, except Floyd of Portland.
Only by exercising our faith in Him in whom she believed can we become
reconciled to this blow which leaves a home desolate and little ones without a
beautiful mother, whose place no one else can fill. But we shall be comforted by
knowing that she has gone from this world where she was beloved to that other
world where, in the presence of her Savior all mysteries shall be made clear and
she shall be happy with the blest forevermore.
[Comments by submitter:
My grandmother, Clara Griffin Mann, died in 1918 during the great flu pandemic.
Although the article says she was buried I believe that when her children were
brought back to Edmond, she was brought back to Oklahoma City to be buried
there. My father was her son, Robert Ellsworth Mann and was later adopted by his
uncle Ira D. Griffin of Edmond, OK. -- Marilyn Turner ]
Source: Rootsweb Message Board