I am a descendant (third-great-grandson) of E.A. Boies, Sr. and Sarah Emmaline Prewitt Boies; and the second-great-grandson of Wiley E. Landers and Hattie Jane (Boies) Landers, also pictured. – Luke Letlow, editor

Photograph of E.A. Boies, Sr., and Sarah Emmaline Prewitt Boies, ca., 1895, near Alto, Louisiana

Family photo with children and grandchildren

Obituary of Edwin Augustus Boies, Sr., of Richland Parish

One of Richland’s Most Respected Citizens Dies, ca., 1922

Mr. Edwin A. Boies Sr., age 81 years, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Richland Parish, died at his home in Ward Four last Monday evening and was buried at the Hixon graveyard on Tuesday afternoon. He leaves a widow, five sons, Messrs. Jas. F., Sam H., Robt. L., Edwin A. Jr., and Willie Boies, and five daughters, Mrs. W. E. Landers, Mrs. Ralph Brunson, Mrs. Clara Hewitt, Mrs. Willie Choat and Miss Nannie Boies.

Mr. Boies was born in what is now Richland Parish in 1841, and entered the Confederate Army at the beginning of the Civil War and served with distinction during the four years of that memorable struggle. He was twice wounded in battle and took part in numbers of the hottest engagements in Virginia. He carried a Yankee bullet in one leg from June 1862 to his death, in compliance with his request made a short time before the end, this ball was taken out and presented to one of his sons.

The deceased was married 54 years ago and his devoted mate of more than a half century survives him. Throughout a long married life, they lived a consecrated Christian life together, both early joining the Baptist Church, and their home was a shrine for their large family of children, who became useful and God fearing men and women under the blessed influence of a good father and mother.

Returning home from the war to find himself, without much means except his untiring energy and self-reliance learned in the rugged school of experience, he faced the difficulties with the same courage he had faced the federal bullets, and bravely set out to make himself a useful citizen. How well he succeeded in this is attested by the love and veneration felt by everyone who knew him.

He never left his native parish, but as he worked usefully for its development and advancement and his influenced extended, his love for it and his people seemed to grow more intense until it became with him, indeed a passion.

Our old friend lies down to his last and peaceful sleep after a long and useful life, during which time spent here, he accomplished much and for which he will be long and affectionately remembered by those who have been the beneficiaries of his great heart. We bow our head in sorrow with the bereaved family and join in the sentiments of love and veneration expressed by a legion of friends.

Sarah Emmaline Prewitt Boies – Obituary

In Memory of Our Mother, Mrs. Sarah Emmaline Prewitt

As published in the Richland Beacon, 1929

In memory and love to our sainted mother, with bleeding hearts and bowed heads, how hard it is to submit and say “Farewell, Mother.”

Why oh! Why, can’t we keep back the bitter aches, the burning tears, we know only this, it’s mother, none so loving, kind, noble and true as mother, no voice can soothe the aching heart, no hand can cool the scorching brow as mother.

Then why can’t we rejoice instead of weep when we know that God gives and takes, for we know that she and we and all things come through Him, still through it all comes that sound, the sweetest, the noblest name under the sun, Mother.

We know in whom you trusted, Mother, we know that child-like, simple faith you kept in Jesus, the Master. We know, Mother, that you await us on that beautiful, never-ending shore of time and eternity justified by the faith you kept in His Name, where the frailties, follies, sorrows and disappointments of this world do not come.

Yet through it all, it’s mother, sixty years our mother, so gentle, patient, living, noble and true, and when we think how little we did to repay you for your love our hearts break and the tears come thick and fast. Mother, oh! mother when cold and cruel death laid his icy hand on you and we pressed the farewell kiss on your brow, in the depth of sorrow, we cried out, but thank God not forever. In a little while, a few short years, and we will see you to love and be loved again by you.

Mother, how we cherish, how we loved that noble, patient, loving Christian life you lived and left for us. We cannot reach through that impenetrable mysterious gulf that separates us and feel the gentle touch, nor hearmother’s loving voice, but from the depth of our heart we can feel and hear through the beautiful loving life you lived and left for us.

So with God’s help and grace, we submit as best we can and with faith and hope we will soon or late be with you, mother, again. After eighty years and three days, at 8:30 last Saturday her gentle spirit slipped out to be with God who gave it. At the Prewitt Cemetery, Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, in the calm, beautiful sunshine we, with a number of friends, paid our last respects and bid farewell to mother.She leaves eight children to mourn her loss. Six preceded her, making her the mother of fourteen.

Those living are Mrs. Nannie Duff, Mrs. Clara Hewitt, Mrs. Alice Brunson, Mrs. Bertha Choat, William, E.A. Jr., R.L. and J.F. Boies. Thirty-two grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren survive her. J.F.B.