Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, SC
Obituary of Hezekiah Webb Bays

May 5, 1921 REV. HENRY W. BAYS DIES AT HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER Funeral Services for Late Methodist Minister Held at Rock Hill Tuesday. Rock Hill, May 2. - The funeral of the Rev. Henry W. Bates, whose death occurred Sunday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. G. Stevens, will be held from the late residence tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. R. S. Trusdale of Columbia, assisted by the Rev. J. W. Speake and the Rev. Alexander Martin. Dr. Bays had been in bad health since an attack of influenza more than a year ago, but his illness became more serious a week ago while spending some time in Asheville. He was brought home Saturday and Sunday his condition was regarded as more hopeful. Dr. Bays was a native of Virginia and was 78 years old. He served in the Confederate army, enlisting while in his teens. Afterwards he entered the ministry and served a number of charges in Virginia before being transferred to the South Carolina conference. He was a power in his church and the state sustains a real loss in his death. He served as presiding elder of the Rock Hill, Charleston and Sumter districts, being given an assistant pastorate of the Sumter church when his health failed a number of years ago. Four years ago he gave up the active work of the ministry and has since made his home here and with his daughter in Asheville. Surviving are four daughters: Mrs. W G. Stevens, Mrs. W. B. Wilson, Mrs. T. A. Moore of this city and Mrs. P. C. Blackmon of Asheville. Two brothers and one sister also survive.