FROM DAYS GONE BY NOV. 17, 1917

November 17, 1917.
The following was omitted from my column in January, so being there are no papers for this week in 1916, or 1917. I am submitting this one on a very prominent citizen at the time in Johnson County, and still a prominent family.
Charles Thomas Bray, Sr. (C. T.), was born May 17, 1852 and died January 17, 1917. His passing did not come as a surprise to his many friends and loved ones for he had been confined to his bed for several weeks and the last few days of his illness all knew the end was near. Just about an hour before he died he called all his loved ones to his bedside and in all calmness and the true spirit of a husband and father told them that his life was near its end and asked them to live for an unbroken family in heaven. His last words to them were a prayer, "and may God bless you all."
He then spoke a few words to the family physician, and then a few moments later without any sign of pain or a struggle, or any sense of fear, he fell asleep to awake in heaven. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
On December 24, 1880 he was happily married to Miss DeAlphia Stokes. To this union were born five daughters and six sons. All survived him save a son and daughter that died in early childhood. His children loved him and found in him their best friend. They looked to him for advice and his judgement to them was unsurpassed. He solved all their problems and carried their burdens.
So devoted were they that as the children grew up their father gave them homes around him and provided employment and all of them lived within a half mile of his own dwelling. This was always a joy to his great father-heart. He was a faithful husband and devoted father, a good neighbor and loyal friend, an able man and a noble Christian character. As a citizen he ranked among the best and as a businessman was successful.
C. T. was always a good man. While in his teens he gave his heart to God and joined the Methodist church. For more than 20 years he was a faithful steward. During this time he served as superintendent and teacher of the Bible class in Sunday School of his home church. His church was a treasure to him and he rejoiced in its prosperity. His heart was big and his hospitality great. His love for his pastors was exhibited in his deeds of kindness to them.
The funeral services were held at Bethel Church. A large course of sorrowing friends paid their last tribute to him. Burial was at the Williams Cemetery with gravesides concluded by the Masons of which he was an honored member.
Rev. E. L. Wainwright concluded by saying, "May the richest of blessings rest upon his loved ones and may they at last meet within the mansion of our Father's house, a circle never to be sundered more. No broken link, a family in heaven."