Sellers, Ann (nee Beck) (1845-1905)

Transcription of Obituary in the Christian Messenger

MRS. ANN SELLERS. – The Church at Great Thornton Street, Hull, has suffered a great loss in the decease of Mrs. Ann Sellers at the age of 60 years. Her husband, Mr. George Sellers, is one of the most respected and devoted of our local preachers, and she has been for many years one of the bravest and most patient workers in the Church. Both of them have been amongst the most reliable and consistent followers of Jesus Christ. Converted in early life, Mrs. Sellers surrendered herself fully for the Master’s use, and her life bore the stamp of usefulness upon it. Her sphere did not lay in the direction of the parade, but in constant, regular and uninterrupted service. Her life was markedly quiet viewed from the outside, but with quietude there was fortitude and strong resolution for the right and good. Her whole nature was well disciplined under the Master’s yoke. As a worker in helping the Church in times of financial difficulty, as brave-heart in plodding on amid discouragements, as a comforter of the poor and needy, she stands out distinctly among the few it has been a pleasure to know. She and her husband were happily matched, and had lived long and happily together.

Blest with health and strength, there was no premonition of the terrible blow that was coming. On Saturday, August 26th, 1905, towards midnight there was a sudden seizure and in a few minutes the life that was in its maturest days expired. Sorrow was general throughout the Church the next day, and it was to the whole congregation a day of deep and unexpected gloom. Yet upon no lip has the question risen, “was she ready.” For all who knew her knew that for many years she had lived the Christly life. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, August 29th, in the well-known Spring Bank Cemetery, where sleep so many of our Church’s dead. Many friends gathered to pay a last tribute to the memory of a good woman and a true child of the Church. The service was conducted by Revs. George Bennett and Arthur Jubb, the former giving the address.

“God calls our loved ones, but we lose not wholly
What He has given;
They live on earth in thought and deed, as truly
As in heaven.”

Family and other information

Ann was born in 1845 at North Ferriby, Yorkshire, to parents George and Ann. George was a railway platelayer (1851) and later a railway gate-keeper (1871).

Ann married George Sellers (b abt 1847) in late 1876 at Hull, Yorkshire. George worked as a railway passenger guard for most of their married life.

References

Christian Messenger 1906/31

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers