Books and papers lay on the reading tables and were read avidly. The Bible and Christian literature predominated.
Ella Clements was an excellent cook, the pies, the wild plum jelly, steaks, fried chicken and hickory smoked hams (home butchered) and other very good homemade products are a never forgotten quality. All of which required hard, exhausting work but helped to build a wonderful home that the family shared without reservation.
One of Ell's favorite books was a biography of Queen Victoria. She read it again and again. It could have been therapy at the end of a long, busy day. The family slyly watched and smiled when she sat reading in her rocking chair. When the story ran peacefully and happy, she rocked gently but when turmoil and trouble entered, the rocking stopped completely, not to begin again until the story reached a tranquil time in the English Queen's life.
Only those who were closely associated knew the extent of sacrifical, strenuous work in this household so they alone realize the severity of that way of living.
Our bodies wear out and are no more.
Ella Kroth Clements died at the age of 64 after the loss of her husband in 1918. They loved so faithfully and had so few years together, people said.
No one doubted that they left this world of turmoil to enter a place prepared for those who count not the cost of walking the Christian way.
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