By Terry F. Sanders
On the morning of February 27, the kind and gentle spirit of Goldie May Plum left its tabernacle of flesh to return to God after a sudden illness. Sister Plum was a faithful member of the Marrtown Road church in Parkersburg. She spent the majority of her 92 years in faithful service to God in every capacity.
She was born December 14, 1900 in Gilmer County, the daughter of Charles and Frances Bell Henderson. In 1917, she was married to the much beloved faithful gospel preacher Chaflen Dewey (CD.) Plum who preceded her in death in 1977. To this union were born three children: Wilma, who became Mrs. Cad Parsons and who passed away in 1965; Russell, now 71, who is crippled due to an illness in his youth and still lives at home; and Charles, who passed away in 1976 and was a faithful gospel preacher and the Chief of Police in Parkersburg at the time of his death. Sister Plum also leaves behind five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. A sister, Mildred Kreaps, survives and lives in Perrysville, OH. I should also mention that her son Charles’ widow, Lillian, has lived with Sister Plum since Charles’ death and has helped with the care of Russell and with other duties that age slowly prevented sister Goldie from being able to do. I have often thought that not only did sister Goldie serve as a splendid example of all that a Christian, wife and mother should be, hut that also sister Lillian has served as a “Ruth to her Naomi.” Two more excellent examples of womanhood would be hard to find in our present society.
The funeral services were conducted by this writer at the Lambert Tatman Funeral Home on March 2, 1993. 1 spoke of how sister Plum had mirrored the words of Proverbs 31:10-31 in being devoted to God, husband and children. Sister Plum served her God soberly, righteously and faithfully. She cared for her husband and children in their illnesses without complaint. The manner in which she went about caring for her family in this quite and humble fashion gained the respect of all who truly knew of it. The loving care this fine lady has given in her lifetime is a monument to her and speaks well of the lady that sister Plum was. Her kind is rare and we are fortunate to have been blessed by being acquainted with her for even a short period of time. It is my wish that her tribe might increase.
Her body was placed to await the resurrection by the side of her husband and son in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum, Sunset Gardens, Parkersburg.
Friends may send cards and letters to Lillian Plum, 2503 Liberty Street,
Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 20
April 1, 1993