must live whatever time may be allotted, and that I must adjust myself to the finality of death. Pet and I attended your mother's funeral and your father wept with us in his sorrow. He wept with me a few years later, in mine. We have many times talked with each other about our great loneliness. I told him at the cemetery, where he now rests, that I had come with him as far as mortal man can go, to the graveside of his beloved. Thereafter, he must seek his own solution, a new way of life, bereft of that which he held most dear. He understood. So it was with me, when Pet was laid to rest. So it must be with you, now that GEORGE is gone. Even my children could only walk with me to the graveside, they can't really share my terrible sorrow, although they, too, grieve for their mother; but their grief, they alone must bear; mine, I alone must bear and learn to live with. But friends can still love the families of those who are gone. I shall always love and respect his friendship, and my affection for his family and close friends will continue through the years that I have left. Sincerely and affectionately, Hon. FLOYD L. SPERRY, Judge, Kansas City Court of Appeals. P.S.-I write this to you because I knew you better than I did other members of the family, but I would like them to know how I feel. ARLINGTON, VA., January 24, 1959. DEAR MOINA AND RAY: THE PATH BEYOND THE BEND Have you ever walked along a path Think of your dear one living still Where the road goes on without end It's only we who do not see The path beyond the bend. Nell and I extend to you and all the family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in this dark hour of your bereavement. We are sorry. GEORGE CHRISTOPHER has been one of my best friends for many, many years. I was deeply shocked to learn of his passing. We had a nice visit by phone earlier in the week and he was in his usual cheerful frame of mind. Like you, we shall miss him terribly. He was a fine gentleman, a conscientious one, who was devoted to his family and his work. Sincerely, NELL and CHARLES HASLET, Charles Haslet, Associated Press, Washington, D.C. ROSCOE, Mo., January 31, 1959. Mrs. MOINA RATLIFF, DEAR MRS. RATLIFF: I extend to you and your family my sympathy in the loss of your father. He had endeared himself to many by his sense of humor and his sincere friendliness. I personally feel that I have lost a very close friend. I know that all of the Missouri farmers have lost a friend that fought to solve their problems to the utmost of his strength. I realize that, in the last few years, much of his strength and courage came from the loving care that you had given him. 1 I hope that you will find solace in your sorrow that he was doing the work that he had chosen, up to the very end of his life. His closeness to God and nature during his life, can only mean that he has reached the eternal home that we all seek. Sincerely yours, CALVIN HOLLOWAY AND FAMILY, Associate in the PMA program and now State representative. ALEXANDRIA, V▲., January 29, 1959. DEAR FOLKS: I was terribly shocked to learn of the sudden death of your father this morning, upon our return from a short vacation. Although we will attend the service in Washington today, I deeply regret that we cannot be in Butler on Wednesday. I am quite sure it is not necessary for me to tell you how much I thought of your father. He was a warm and loyal friend of my father and mother, and of me, for all the years he knew us, and he has done many great favors for all of us. I have always been very proud of him and of the outstanding record he made in the various positions he has held. It has been a source of great regret to me that I was in Europe during the past 4 years. It kept me from seeing your father and visiting with him as we used to do when I was living in Butler and Hickman Mills. I can't help but feel that you have been very fortunate to have had your father with you as long as you have. My father died when I was 9 years old, and I can't really say I ever knew what it was to have a father. George lived a full life, he leaves a wonderful treasure of memories, of accomplishments, and of outstanding performance in positions of public trust and responsibility. Somehow, I don't believe any man can do more in one lifetime. May God bless you and comfort you in this time of sorrow and sadness. As always, DONALD DAWSON, Former Prosecuting Attorney, Bates County, Mo., now assigned to the General Accounting Office. WASHINGTON, D.C., February 15, 1959. DEAR MOINA: I was so sorry to hear of the death of your father. I have been thinking of all of you knowing that you all loved and respected him deeply and that you and Ray especially will miss him very much. He was a courageous person and a dedicated man to his principles and ideals and did not hesitate to try and carry out that which he felt was right. You and Ray, however, know that you were his greatest help and were so devoted to him. It is not everyone that has such loyal children. I know this was appreciated by all your friends. My most sincere sympathy to you all. Affectionately, KATHERINE COX Widow of former President of Michigan State College. Mrs. RAY RATLIFF. KANSAS CITY, Mo., February 1, 1959. DEAR MRS. RATLIFF: Your dear father sent my mother such a beautiful letter on her 90th birthday which was a year ago. We are so sorry he has been called to his eternal rest, but God always knows best. We just wanted to send our sympathy. Thinking of you and remembering your father in our prayers. We are, Respectfully, MRS. OLIVER CORRIGAN AND MOTHER, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 25, 1959. FAMILY OF THE HONORABLE GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER: With sympathy. There is little one can say And little one can do Except to express the heartfelt wish That comfort be granted you. THE MISSOURI SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, D.C., BOLIVAR, MO., February 10, 1959. FAMILY OF THE HONORABLE GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER: We were so sorry to hear the sad news of Mr. CHRISTOPHER's death. It is not only a loss to his relatives but to our State and Nation as well. We shall never forget him. MRS. F. L. STUFFLEBAM, Editor and Publisher, Bolivar Herald. JOPLIN, MO., January 27, 1959. FAMILY OF THE HONORABLE GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER: With sym pathy in the loss of your father. Your father meant so much to you In such a special way That all who know you know how deep Your sorrow is today. But may your loving thoughts of him, Your cherished memories, too, Lend comfort to you now and keep him Mrs. G. W. BERRY AND GEORGIA E. BERRY, FEBRUARY 11, 1959. DEAR MOINA AND FAMILY: I want to send my sincerest heart felt sympathy to you and yours in the loss of your wonderful father. I too, have lost a dear father and mother and I can really and truly say I sympathize with you. Your heartache will always be there you will always miss him-more as time goes on, but the wonderful memories you have of him will ease that ache. They are proud memories. Memories that will make your personality unfold into a bigger, better, lovelier lady. His funeral was the biggest funeral ever held in Butler, the services were very nice, although the minister did not eulogize him too much. The presence of all his friends displayed the best eulogy of any unspoken words. I shall always remember my wonderful privilege of working with you 2 years ago. Love, GLADYS AND JESSE BLAKEMAN. (Long a family friend and former employee of the Congressman.) WARRENSBURG, Mo., January 25, 1959. To the family of the Honorable George H. Christopher, Butler, Mo. DEAR FRIENDS: Please permit us to express to you our deep sorrow upon reading in the Kansas City paper of January 24 of the sudden death of Mr. CHRISTOPHER. Little did we realize last October during the campaign when we talked to him here in Warrensburg, it would be our last meeting with him. Mr. CHRISTOPHER was one of those rare individualists who went the second mile in behalf of all of his constituents of the Fourth Congressional District. His place cannot be filled by anyone. He will be missed by those of us who regarded him as a very close personal friend. With deepest regards, We are Mr. and Mrs. ROLLA F. WOOD. (Mr. Wood, professor, Central Missouri State College.) [From the Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Jan. 24, 1959] CHRISTOPHER, GEORGE H.: To the officers and members of Columbia Chapter, No. 15, OES, notice is given of the death of our late brother, GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER. Funeral services will be |