REBECCA E. SIMMONS
Rebecca Ellen Spradling was born at Hockey Hill, Ky., August 11, 1843. In 1853 she removed with her mother to Illinois. She was converted to God in 1860 at the same meeting and was baptized the same day that he who afterwards became her husband. She was married to L. W. Simmons in March 1863 while he was home from the army on furlough. They removed to Kansas in 1866 and entered earnestly upon Christian work, organizing Sunday Schools and doing what they could for the Master. Driven from Kansas by Indians, cyclones, and drought, they returned to Illinois in 1870. Immediately after their return Sister Simmons was seriously ill with congestion of the brain and no doubt there were sowed the seeds of the disease that finally caused her death.
In 1871 they moved to Iowa where in company with others, Sister Simmons organized a Sunday School which later became the nucleus of a Methodist church. In 1875 Brother and Sister Simmons came to California. Here in 1877 she began her labors as the wife of an itinerant minister. In 1885 her health began to fail but she did not break down entirely until 1888.
Three years ago, when appointed to Pacific Grove, I became her pastor. She gave me a hearty welcome and was faithful in her performance of all her religious duties. In poor health she attended church only occasionally but highly appreciated the services. She became very sick and for a long time expected at any moment her death. She rallied at length and was taken to San Francisco for medical treatment where she lingered for months, hovering between life and death. March 16th, 1893 she entered into rest and received the crown.
Sister Simmons was a good woman, faithful in all her relations in life. She has left to her loved ones and to the church the best of all legacies, a well-spent life. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make Thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”
S. G. Gale
From the minutes of the California Conference of the Methodist Church, 1893.
