"Mysterious Dove"
Fannie L. Bradsher (1869-1888) Obituary by Solomon Lea
"Miss Fannie L. Bradsher, daughter of Benjamin Bradsher, was born August 30, 1869, and died August 24, 1888, age 18 years, 11 months, 24 days. She made a profession of religion in early life at a revival at Leasburg under the ministry of Rev. R. A. Willis and joined the Methodist Church, South. She was a pupil of my school for several sessions and was bright and quick to learn. She was remarkable for her candor and simplicity of character, always frank and openhearted.
"An incident occurred which may have had an injurious effect upon her both mentally and bodily. While she was gathering vegetables with a servant in the garden, a dove circled around the servant and then lit upon her head. She struck it several times before it would fly off. In a short time, the servant was taken sick and died; then she, too, was taken sick and lingered several weeks, alternating between hope and fear, and finally died, remarking all the time she would never get well. The incident whether designed to be premonitory or not, preyed upon her mind and had a depressing effect. Most of the time, she became unconscious and could say nothing about her future prospects, though she made frequent efforts to speak.
"No doubt for some wide and good purpose she was taken in the bloom of life, from this world of trouble and trial to a better and brighter one. May a merciful God bless and comfort the bereaved parents and may this mysterious Providence be sanctified to the good of the relatives and neighbors."
Source: Reprinted in The Daily Times-News (Burlington, NC), 23 February 1948. Paragraph breaks added.
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