 Paying tribute to Miss Elizabeth O'Connor (center, rear) are a group of neighbors and associates. The table in the background is literally loaded with good things to eat. Thirty-three years of service to residents of Breathitt and adjacent counties unquestionably brought many rewards in knowledge of deeds well done to Miss Elizabeth E. O'Connor, who recently retired as Superintendent of the Free Methodist Kentucky Mountain Mission, but neighbors and friends from many communities gathered last week to share with her the pleasure of settling into the lovely, modern home built for her at Oakdale. In addition to the home, built through the work and contributions of her "neighbors" during these 33 years, Miss O'Connor found it completely fur- nished, even to groceries, as many of these folks came to her "house warming."
At the age of 26 she entered a Bible school in Ohio, and upon completion of her work answered a call to do mission work in Breathitt County. In 1919 she and another lady opened a small mission at Oakdale. In succeeding years she became the trusted friend, confidant, nurse, and minister to hundreds of her neighbors. With no training as a nurse, she was called, time and again, to minister to the ill; never considering herself a preacher, she was constantly sought to console the families in their tragedies of death and to conduct the final rites for their departed loved ones. These tasks, for which she had not been trained, became a necessary part of her work and to them she applied the simple Christian rule that God would direct her as she met each new task assigned her. Her real task, and to her, the greatest joy and delight of her life, was helping people to find their way to Christ. It was her practice to always have prayer with those who called upon her. As the years went by people came from far and near just to have Miss O'Connor pray with them. Those with whom she came into contact carried away a story that she was a person who had helped them and could help others, and as this word went around, the work under her supervision grew and expanded.
Delegations came from other communities to request her help in establishing Sunday schools and churches in their communities. She was not always able to provide that help, personally, nor had the associates to send, but as time passed she was able to help found eight stations in four counties with some 30 associated workers conducting Sunday schools and church services in these stations and neighboring areas. This work was combined in the activities which she carried on through the Free Methodist Kentucky Mountain Mission, which she organized and headed until her retirement. (Article courtesy of The Jackson Times)  |
The story of Miss
O'Connor's life is one of accomplishment in the face of great
odds. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a home
where poverty and want was the rule. At the age of 12 she was
forced to leave school and accept employment in a nearby factory,
due to the illness of her father, and until her parents, whom
she helped to support, passed away, she had no further opportunity
of extending her education.