Miss Mary Josephine Varner

Miss Joe Varner Called By Death.
One of County's oldest and widely beloved citizens passed away early Monday morning.
Ripe in years and full of honors, beloved by all who knew her, Miss Mary Josephine Varner, one of Butts county's oldest and most distinguished citizens, passed away at the ancestral Varner House Monday morning at 7:45 o'clock. To the family and close friends her death did not come as a surprise for it had been known for several days that the end was approaching. She had been in declining health for some time past and recently her condition had caused concern to the family. The end was peaceful, sleep overtaking her in the early morning hours.
To thousands of friends news of her passing brings deep sorrow. Perhaps no citizen of Georgia was better known than "Miss Joe," as she was called with affection by her scores of friends and admirers. During her long life of 91 years she had come in contact with many notable people of the state and South. All who knew her loved her. A trip to Indian Springs was not complete without a visit to Miss Joe. Her strong character, her kindness, sympathy and generosity, her rare fund of information about Butts county, made her a most interesting personality.
Miss Varner was born June 17, 1837, near Monticello in Jasper count. She was a daughter of Edward Varner and Cynthia Hardwick Fitzpatrick Varner, pioneer and distinguished residents of this section. When a small girl the family moved to Indian Springs and Miss Joe resided there since. The Varner House is one of the historic spots of the state. Before the War Between the States it was the leading hotel at Indian Springs and has housed may notable personages. It was a meeting place for politicians and statesmen, the brains and beauty, the wealth and aristocracy of Georgia and the South.
Some months ago the Varner house was acquired by Mr. Paul J. Varner, of Brunswick, and converted into a home for the Varner family. Miss Joe still retained her residence there. The original Varner House is said to have been built in 1823 by Joel Bailey and General William McIntosh, the Indian chieftain. A museum houses a rare collection of Indian relics.
Miss Varner was the youngest child of a large family. She took the name of Mary Josephine for a baby sister who died in infancy. Her brothers were Andrew Jackson Varner, J. F. Varner, Jefferson Monroe Varner, Clinton LaFayette Varner, John Clark Varner. A sister, Miss Cynthia Amanda Varner, died some years ago. Her family has played an influential part in the affairs of Butts county.
During her long life Miss Joe had seen remarkable changes take place. As a girl she remembered when the Indians were in Butts county. She knew the old Indian trails and possessed valuable information concerning this section of Georgia.
Miss Joe kept young by retaining her interest in young people. She liked to have friends call and she was the friend of every boy and girl who knew her. They were in truth and fact "her children."
Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, central time, with Rev. Augustus Ernest of the Jackson Methodist church officiating. Scores of friends and admirers gathered for a final tribute of respect and the floral offerings were numerous and lovely. Interment was made in the Indian Springs cemetery.
Surviving Miss Varner are several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

(The Jackson Progress-Argus - November 16, 1928)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison

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A Tribute Of Love To Miss Joe Varner
A tribute to the memory of Miss Mary Josephine Varner who died Monday, Nov. 12, 1928.
No more will we listen to the interesting stories of "Miss Joe's" ninety-one life's span of years as told by her--
"For now she sleeps where the daisies nod
And the clever hangs his head.
Where the wild birds come and the Wild bees hum,
Above her lonely bed.
She fought the fight, she kept the faith,
Her fame shines bright and clear
And her memory lives in all our hearts
Which will hold it ever clear."
No more will we hear her kind voice whisper around the historic Varner House--built by and once the home of the celebrated Creek Indian chieftain, William McIntosh, 1820-1825, where Gov. George M. Troup and this chieftain signed the treaty of Indian Springs leaving this famous Indian Springs to the Whites. May this historic setting remain in the hearts of the people as a cherished memory to "Miss Joe" and be cared for as it was cared for and cherished by her for the important part it plays in the history of our country.
From Miss Joe's mother's day till "Miss Joe's" closed book of life dates from George Washington's presidency to the present Pres. Coolidge. Among the thousands that once stopped at this famous hotel on the old registers in the museum are to be found the names of some of the state's most notable men--B. H. Hill, Alexander Stephens, W. Y. Yancey, Robert Toombs, etc. The museum is near the famous rock upon which stood Hopothleoholo and made his memorable speech of treaty of peace with Gov. George M. Troup--since marked by the D.A.R. order of Jackson.
The last time I talked to Miss Joe I gave her an enlargement of a postcard picture of Gov. George M. Troup's tomb, a work which I have undertaken for funds for the renovation of this famous governor's resting place. Her kind words of thanks still ring in my memory: "Dear, I haven't words to express my thanks for this work but go hang it in the museum and come back and talk with me for talking with and meeting people are the greatest goys of my life." Her life seemed one of sacrifice for--"Loves for all that God and man in art and nature makes a plan."
On this occasion "Miss Joe" remarked: "I wonder why the Lord leaves me here so long," and when I replied "To scatter sunshine to us all," she turned away in a smile as though "Here am I, Lord," but not a murmur came from her tired lips--but a wish to join the heavenly throng--and there remained the smile on her angelic face and a shout of joy on her lips to this great God of all of us--as I bade her goodbye.
ALBERTA KINARD Monticello, Ga.

(The Jackson Progress-Argus November 30, 1928)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison