Unknown Newspaper
March 1965

Florence Iiams

Florence Kirk Iiams was born April 18, 1877 in Cumberworth, England and passed into rest March 13, 1965.
She was the oldest of 13 children born to Benjamin and Jane White Kirk. At an early age, she came with her parents to the United States and they settled on a farm near Lorimor where her early life was spent.
On April 24, 1895, she was united in marriage to Arthur Iiams in Osceola. To this union nine children were born, five boys and four girls. Besides caring for her own children, she and her husband cared for two of her grandchildren when they were in need of love and care.
With her husband, she was a charter member of this church and they helped to build this building. Madison Chapel. They have been members since that time.
This Easter Sunday, April 18, she would have celebrated her 88th birthday along with her twin daughters, Thelma and Velma, and one great grandchild who all have birthdays on this same date.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; one son, Loren Wesley; one daughter, Vella Pettit and one grandson, Raymond Pettit.
She is survived by four sons, Everett Iiams of Osceola, Boyd and Dale Iiams of Murray and Nathan Iiams of Mollalla, Oregon; three daughters, Mrs. Velma Gibbons of Kress, Texas, Mrs. Thelma Thurman of Omaha, Nebraska, Mrs. Ethel Cook of Murray. Also surviving are five sisters, Mrs. Margaret Thurman of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mrs. Lizzie Simmerman of Murray, Mrs. Olive Simmerman, Mrs. Clara Camp and Mrs. Susie Short of Peru; two brothers, White Kirk of Bull Shoals, Arkansas and Hiriam Kirk of Peru as well as 18 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.
Mrs. Iiams was a woman devoted to God and good works, believing and practicing Christianity all the days of her life. She was deeply loved by her family, admired by her friends and will be remembered by all.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Madison Chapel with Watts and Soll Funeral Service in charge and the Rev. W. W. Williams officiating. Burial was in Union Cemetery.