Heape, Emma Ann (nee Codd) (1850-1897)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by B Fell

On Saturday, July 24, 1897, the beloved wife of Rev. F.E. Heape, Doncaster, passed in holy triumph “within the veil.”

From very tender years she was the subject of deep religious impressions, and under the ministry of the Rev. R.S. Blair, when labouring at Louth, she obtained assurance of salvation. There is no record of the date of her conversion, but her class tickets have been preserved since May, 1863.

The fact of her conversion was manifest to all who knew her; Jesus Christ was real and precious. She knew Him, loved Him, trusted Him, and realised assurance of His favour. And her whole life was marked by increased and still increasing knowledge of God her Saviour. It was impossible to know her without being impressed with her deep spirituality, her devotion to Christ, and her unfaltering faith in Him.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson Codd, formerly of Ely, and began her mortal life June 20, 1850. At an early age, however, she removed to Louth, in Lincolnshire, and became the adopted daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Byron, “Stewton House,” Mrs. Byron being aunt to her mother. Under the. salutary influences of that historic home in Primitive Methodism she spent her girlhood and early womanhood. Her deep attachment to Primitive Methodism and interest in the Connexion’s progress and well-being may thus be largely accounted for. And when in 1877, she became the wife of Rev. F.E. Heape, all who knew her felt she had found her true sphere. Increased opportunities for serving God and the Church she Ioved were accepted as from God, and for twenty years, as health would permit, she proved herself the true helpmeet of our bereaved brother. Even during years of failing health and physical feebleness, she contributed much to her husband’s success in his work. The disappointments and discouragements associated with an earnest ministry she well understood, and knew the right word and how to say it. Hers was a life full of helpful ministries. Truly, she was “an angel in the house,” and quietly and unostentatiously she worked with all the strength given to her to promote the interests of the Church. She was quite at home pointing the seeking soul to Christ, and not less so in speaking words of hope and comfort to the sorrowing and the afflicted.

A great shadow fell over her life when in 1891 her eldest son, Byron, fell a victim to defective drainage, and died of typhoid. From that shock she never fully recovered. Severe attacks of rheumatism and other complications gradually stole away her strength, and after a surgical operation in April of last year, she was greatly enfeebled. Pulmonary consumption followed, to which she succumbed on Aug. 24th. Her affliction was borne with exemplary fortitude, and her faith in God never wavered. It was quite a means of grace to visit her. Many felt as the Rev. R. Crewdson expressed himself in a letter to Mr. Heape after her death, “I am thankful, sincerely thankful, that I was privileged to know her. It is, and always will be, an inspiring memory in my life. I shall never forget her calm, quiet, child-like confidence in God.” Those who heard her say, as she often did, “Though He slay me I will trust Him,” “He faileth not,” “My help cometh from the Lord,” and other expressions of similar import, will not easily forget. Her last words were, “Jesus, Jesus,” and her eyes closed to open in His presence.

Four children, two daughters and two sons, are left to mourn her loss. We bespeak for our smitten brother and the family the sympathy and prayers of the Church,

Devout men carried her to her burial, which took place in Doncaster Cemetery, on Monday, July 26, in the presence of a large number of sorrowing and sympathising friends. The writer, Revs H. Fox, A, Ward, G. Bennett, T.J. Gladwin, G. Ford, M. Amer, J. F. Porteous, (Baptist), and others took part in the service. Her dust awaits the resurrection call.

Family

Emma was born on 20 June 1850 at Whaplode Drove, Lincolnshire, to parents Simpson Codd and Mary Breeton.

She married Frederic Etherington Heape (1844-1922), a PM minister, in the summer of 1877 in the louth Registration District, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify five children.

• Florence Elizabeth (1878-1970)
• Byron Mellor (1879-1890)
• Sydney Frederick (1881-1957) – a boot and shoe assistant (1911); a boot commercial traveller (1939)
• Bertha Emma (1883-1933) – married Cecil A Garton in 1920
• Albert Robert (1886-1952) – a retail van salesman; bread and confectionery (1939)

Emma died on 24 July 1897 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1900/228

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers