Endearing Epitaphs

Epitaphs are very important to graves, they convey a beautiful meaning from a family to a loved one. Epitaphs are "a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone". Many graves only have when a person was born and when they died, but adding an epitaph can show love towards the deceased loved one. 

I came across many graves that had epitaphs on them, but only a couple of them stood out. The first epitaph I came across says, "After Life's Fitful Fever Comes Rest". This quote comes from Shakespeare's "Macbeth". It means, "he experiences life, rather, as a "fitful fever," that is, a fever that comes in fits, the heat of ambition alternating with deadly cold, turbulence broken by only transient calms". This quote is very unique. This die on socket grave can be found in Magnolia Cemetery. WM. Aiken Williams lays at rest here, he died June 1907.

Die on Socket

The second epitaph I came across says, "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die". This quote originates from poet Thomas Campbell, "the hearts we leave behind, are the /friends/people who knew us before we died, is not to die, means that if we are remembered by people we have not died and been forgotten". This epitaph is written on a ledger, where Alexander Kinloch McDowell and Annie Bissell McDowell rest. Alexander McDowell died on September 20th, 1940. Annie McDowell died on March 3rd, 1956. 

Ledger

The third epitaph I came across says, "A Brighter Home Than Ours, In Heaven, Is Now Thine Home". This quote comes from a book called the "The Grizzly Bear". It is very hard to find the meaning of this quote, but I believe it means that the person who passed is going to a be in a happier, better place. This grave can be found in Bethel United Methodist Church cemetery. The grave is a die on socket, the person who rests here is Rosa Mary who died November 2nd, 1881.

Die on Socket

The fourth epitaph says, "I Have Learned The Song They Sing. Whom Jesus Hath Set Free, And The Jasper Walls Of Heaven Ring. With My Newborn Melody". This quote comes from Pilgrim Hymns, the quote is broken up through the hymn which makes it hard to find the meaning. It is very hard to find information on this quote, but I believe it means the deceased person is being set free from this cruel world, as the angels sing and the Lord opens the gates of heaven to greet her. This is a very beautiful quote. This grave can be found at Bethel United Methodist Cemetery. This grave is a die, base and cap. The woman that lays at rest here is Rebecca Jane who died November 21st, 1875.

Die, Base and Cap

The fifth epitaph says, "Forever With The Lord". This quote comes from the Bible (1 Thess. 4:17). It means to spend eternal life in heaven with God. This grave can be found in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery. It is a die on socket where Olin B. Davis is buried. He died in December 1866.

Die on Socket

The sixth epitaph says, "As The Bird To Its Sheltering Nest, When The Storm On The Hills Is Abroad, So Her Spirit Hath Flown From This World of Unrest to repose on the bosom of God". This quote is by William H. Burleigh. It means she has left this world to reclaim her place in heaven with God. This grave is from Bethel United Methodist Cemetery. This is a fallen over headstone, the person who lays at rest here is Elizabeth Moore, who died October 26, 1861.

Headstone

The seventh epitaph says, "Eternal Rest Grant Onto Him, O Lord". This quote comes from the "All Souls Day" prayer. It means give this person peace in heaven. This grave can be found at Magnolia Cemetery. It is a die on socket. The person laying at rest here is John Adams, who died February 12th, 1905.

Die on Socket

The eight epitaph says, "How Is The Strong Staff Broken And The Beautiful Rod". This quote comes from the Bible (Jeremiah 48:17), this quote is here to remind us that God is Sovereignty, God will take care of us. This grave comes from Magnolia Cemetery. It is a box tomb, where Charles H. Simonton lays at rest. He died in 1902.

Box Tomb

The ninth epitaph says, "Asleep In Jesus: Peaceful Rest Whos Waking Is Supremely Blessed". This quote comes from a Lutheran Hymel by Margret Mackay. The person who past is resting peacefully and when they awake in heaven they will be blessed by the Lord. This grave can be found at Magnolia Cemetery. This is a pedestal grave, where Elizabeth Jones Buist lays at rest. She died on November 23rd, 1875.

Pedastal Grave

The final epitaph says, "Faithful Unto Death". This quote comes from the Bible (Revelation 2:10), it means this person believed in the Lord all throughout life. 
This person definitely has a special place in Heaven. This grave can be found in Magnolia Cemetery. 
It is also a pedestal grave, where Stephan Thomas lays at rest. He died on January 2nd, 1894.

Pedastal Grave

While writing this post, I have learned the importance of epitaphs. People can put a lot of meaning into a little quote. These are very important to graves because it can tell a lot about a person. This helped open my eyes to how special epitaphs can be.