On the morning of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1912, Frances Coffman, the widow of the late Bishop Samuel Coffman of Rockingham Co., Va., was stricken with paralysis. and died after lingering for three days in unconsciousness on the 30th at the advanced age of 87 y. 7 m. 3 d.; sickness and death having taken place at the home of her son, Jos. W. Coffman, near Rushville, Va. The closing years of her life were marked by an oft expressed longing to be called out of this world, but in it all was willing to await patiently the Lord's own time. She was born in the Smith's Creek section of Rockingham Co., Va., April 27, 1825, and when yet but a child, her father, Samuel Weaver, located on a farm near Weaver's Church, 3 miles west of Harrisonburg, same county. Here she grew up to womanhood and was married to Samuel Coffman Nov. 11, 1847, who later became an active minister and bishop in the Mennonite Church in Virginia. Through all these years of homemaking and the rearing of a large family, which fell centrally upon the trying and often harrassing period of the Civil War, she stood faithfully to her post as director and provider for the comfort of the family during the frequent and often prolonged absence of her husband in the Lord's work. The first-born to this home was John S. Coffman, who in time became widely known throughout the Mennonite Church in America as the moving spirit that brought about the first evangelistic efforts in this denomination. Of her offspring the number is, 6 sons and 6 daughters; 72 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Of these 3 sons and 4 daughters survive. Of her own people, 2 sisters; Mary (Polly) Brunk, of Elida, O., and Sarah Sharpes of Harrisonburg, Va., are left of a family of 11. She had been a member of the Mennonite Church from early life and though enfeebled in late years as not being able to attend public worship regularly, she always made it a rule to be present it each communion meeting as it occurred annually with her home congregation. A largely attended funeral service was held at the Bank Mennonite Church on Dec. 2, with S. E. Allgyer and Chr. Good officiating. Text, Psa. 17:15. (from the Gospel Herald, Dec. 12, 1912)