Mrs. Elizabeth Lee Varner

Sudden Was Death Mrs. F. G. Varner
The death of Mrs. Forest G. Varner, prominent and beloved resident of Indian Springs, occurred suddenly Sunday afternoon at her home in the historic Varner House. She was seized with a fatal illness while chatting with friends on the porch of her home and expired in a short time.
Mrs. Varner was born Miss Elizabeth Lee, of St. Louis, and spent her young ladyhood in England. She was married on March 10, 1867 to Dr. H. A. Murphy of St., Petersburg, Fla., where she resided for several years. Dr. Murphy died in 1919 and on January 2, 1925 she was married to Mr. Forest G. Varner in Memphis, Tenn. For the past several years she had resided at Indian Springs occupying the historic Varner House. She was a member of the Methodist church and was keenly interested in patriotic and civic affairs, lending her time to the promotion of enterprises for the development of the civic and cultural life of the community. Mrs. Varner had a host of friends who are sorry to know of her death.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at her home, with Rev R. B. Harrison, pastor of the First Baptist church of Jackson officiating. Music was furnished by Miss Ruby Bailey, Mrs. J. E. Cornell, Mrs. George Leadley and Mr. R. P. Sasnett. The pallbearers, were Col. Mack, of St. Petersburg, Messrs. Wright Watkins, A. F. White, E. L. Lavender, J. J. Reeves and Oscar Bryan. Interment was in the cemetery at Jackson.
Besides her husband, who is a well-known business man, Mrs. Varner is survived by one brother, two sisters and several nieces and nephews, all of St. Louis.
Among the out-of-town people attending the funeral services were Mr. Earl Varner, of Swainsboro, Miss Elizabeth Stewart, of Macon, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, of St. Petersburg, Mrs. Hunter, of Miami, Mrs. Reagan, of Eastman.

(Jackson Progress-Argus - 22 Feb 1937)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison