Obituary for John Patrick Sharp Ryburn
Shared by Roger Ryburn, his great grandson
Unnamed and undated East Tennessee newspaper(s)
“Dr. Ryburn Dead – The uncertainty of life and the certainty of death was illustrated at this place early last Monday morning, when the news that Dr. J.P.S. Ryburn had just died was reported. It seems that on Saturday night previous to his death the Doctor had partaken of a hearty supper and retired for the night, seemingly in his usual health, but sometime during the night his struggles and difficult breathing roused the family, and on rushing to his bedside it was discovered that he was speechless and probably unconscious. Dr. Williams was immediately summoned and did all he could for the suffering man, but he sank rapidly and died at 5 a.m. Monday morning. Paralysis is supposed to have been the cause of his death, as he had a partial stroke some four or five months ago.
Dr. Ryburn was probably 60 years of age and leaves a wife, two sons and six daughters, two of whom are married; one being the wife of Frank E. Lindsley of this place, the other is Mrs. F.W. Garrison, of Asheville, N.C. The deceased was a good citizen, a good physician and will be missed. Interment will be in the Jobe Graveyard, but at this writing arrangements for the funeral have not been perfected.”
“Dr. J.P.S. RYBURN (by request) – On the third day of April, 1899, Dr. J.P.S. Ryburn departed to that rest that remaineth to the people of God. He was born in Washington County, Virginia, December 24, 1844. He spent his life in East Tennessee, and raised an interesting and intelligent family of children, who, together with his most estimable and devoted wife, mourn his death.
The latter part of his life was spent in Erwin, Tennessee, where he was honored and loved. When the Presbyterian Church was organized at Erwin, he became one of the charter members, and was at once elected ruling elder in which capacity he served faithfully until his death. He was a good citizen, always casting his influence on the side of right on all moral questions. He was an affectionate father, and labored faithfully for the comfort, support and education of his children. He was a faithful follower of the Master, and a conscientious and devoted officer of the church.
While we mourn the loss of our loved one, yet we do not grieve as those who have no hope; for we realize that from the working and waiting he has entered a sleep with Jesus – that “blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep”, and work and worry he has entered into that rest that remaineth to the people of God. The Master has come and said: “It is enough, come up higher”. And we who knew him are led to say, ‘Servant of God, well done, rest from thy loved employ. The battle fought, the victory won, enter thy Master’s joy’