Biography of Permelia Griffing
Brooks
From
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Permelia,
daughter of Rev. John Griffing, and widow of Rev. Asa Brooks, was born at Catlin
Hill, New York, February 8, 1831, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Orin Beebe, Elmira, New York, October 6, 1916.
Mrs. Brooks
could well be called the child of the parsonage. Reared in one till the death of
her father, which occurred when she was 12 years of age, she then made her home
with her sister, the wife of Rev. Charles Giddings.
She was
educated in Wyoming Seminary and taught for a few years, until her marriage to
Rev. Asa Brooks which occurred July 9, 1850, and with whom she shared the
parsonage for 35 years, till failing health compelled his retirement. She was
one of twelve children and the last to join the invisible company. Religiously
taught from earliest childhood she yielded her heart to God when but a young
girl, and gave to him the loyal service of a long and useful life. She was the
mother of eight children and the stepmother of two, all of whom rose up to call
her blessed, and seven of whom survive her, viz., Mrs. Robert Morey, Merrick, L.
I.; Mrs. Orin Beebe, Elmira; C. A. Brooks, Marathon; W. L. Brooks, Syracuse;
Edward H. and Ella A., Canandaigua; and Mrs. Arthur Bloomfield, Rochester, N. Y.
She was a
loving and uncomplaining mother, bringing sunlight and trust into the home. She
was a fitting helpmeet to her husband, adding courage and faith to his ministry,
and her unassuming but beautiful life won her a host of friends on the charges
served. She saw all her children converted and united wit the church of her
choice. At the death of her husband she knelt by the bed and thanking God for a
Christian husband, earnestly asked the guidance of Him who had promised to be
the Father of the fatherless, and the widow’s God. It was a fitting preface to
the years of her widowhood.
For about 20
years she was in impaired health, and for the last few years she was confined to
her bed, but faith never faltered, and cheerfulness never departed. A blessing
in life, sustained in death, she passed to her reward.
The funeral
was held in Elmira and conducted by her pastor, Rev. DeWitt S. Hooker, with
interment in Candor, N. Y., by the side of her honored husband.
--
J. F. Warner
