Relating the Story of Lucile Rowntree's Birth upon the occasion of her interment 3/15/2008

Long ago on a cold and gloomy day in January, a lone horseman rode fast toward the town miles away. Bundled up against the wind and light snow, the hired man hunched over the horse’s back as he urged his horse on. The wife of his employer needed a doctor to assist in the birth of her second child who was trying to come into the world a bit early.
Riding in a small covered buggy toward a home a few miles away, the anxious husband hurried to ask his mother-in-law to come and assist with the birth until the doctor could be fetched. He had left his brave and laboring wife with a young hired girl to assist her, but he knew he needed someone more experienced than the frightened fifteen-year-old Maud.
In the small ranch house built of wood and stone, Leila, the expectant mother, tried to await the help of doctor and her mother, but nature urged differently. Annie Lucile Smith came into the world attended only by her mother, for young Maud had run away in fear when the moment of delivery arrived. Leila, alone, swaddled her baby in the bed sheets, hobbled to the kitchen, cut the umbilical cord, boiled water for bathing her baby, and was found standing at the kitchen sink completing her tasks when her husband and mother finally arrived to help her. Several hours later, the doctor arrived and pronounced mother and child healthy and strong.
The home into which Annie Lucile was born had no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing, but she had parents of strength and resilience. She had an older brother to admire and soon a younger sister to adore. Lucile was bright, beautiful and beloved.
Those of us here knew of her strength, goodness and loving nature. Our lives are so rich for having known her love. We bring her back here to rest 96 years later.
“ Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28