Mattie Alabama Smart ^7,8,18,19

  General Notes:

Mattie wrote the following poem in memory of her husband James Odus Kelley,
after he passed away. It is touching for many reasons, and shows a great insight
into Mr. Kelley.

"Odus"

My dearest companion on earth has gone
His voice may be stilled,
And there's a vacant chair in this home
Which never can be filled.

He gave his life for others
As he labored on day by day,
Trying to soothe the aching brow
Of one sick across the way.

The night was never too dark
And the day never too bad,
For him to go see some one
Who was sick, suffering and sad.

His good life has been a great inspiration to me
As he helped so many others.
He never forgot his home
And never neglected his duties to me.

Some day I will meet him in Heaven.
What a happy day that will be,
When we meet at the throne of Jesus
Where we will live through all eternity.

- Mattie

Mattie married James Odus Kelley, son of James Madison Kelley and Laura Lenora Mayo, on Oct 6, 1907. (James Odus Kelley was born on Sep 22, 1884 in Amity, Arkansas and died on Nov 23, 1957 in Duncan, Oklahoma.)