[phelps.FTW]
[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #0792, Date of Import: Oct 24, 1998]
IGI lists birthdate as 22 Aug 1852 and name as Melissa Fulastine Todd. Tombstone at Austin Cemetary shows name only as Palestine and birthdate as 22 Aug 1848, death as 26 Sep 1928.
Obituary from Bates County Democrat, date not recorded:
Melissa Palestine Cauthon
Melissa Palestine Todd was born in St. Clair county, Mo., Aug. 22, 1850. Passed away at her home in Bates county, Mo., September 27, 1928, being at the time of her death, 78 years, 1 month and 5 days of age.
She was united in marriage to John Thomas Cauthon March 6, 1870, in St. Clair county, Mo. Her husband preceded her indeath on May 2, 1928. To this union were born 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters. Those who survive are J.W. Cauthon, Mrs. Walter Greer and Albert Cauthon all of Butler, Mo.; J.F. Cauthon of Dayton, Mo.; Mrs. C.P. Kindrick, Altona, Mo., and Mrs. Sadie Bridges of Elkhart, Mo.
Besides her immediate family she is survived by 39 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, besides a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her departure.
In early life she was converted and united with the Baptist Church. Her life has been spent in devotion to her family and friends and by her devotion and sacrifice as a true mother she has left to the world her Christian influence and contribution of motherhood the value of which cannot be fixed by human calculation. She came with her companion to this county more than thirty-two years ago and with the exception of a short time spent in Cass county, had continued to make this their residence. She has made many friends in this community who join in extending to her family sincere sympathy.
The following very beautiful and fitting verses have been written by a friend of the family.
The old home now is vacant,
Mother has gone to rest,
There is no voice to welcome,
The children and sometimes guest.
Her life on earth is ended,
But the memory lingers still,
Of one who was true and faithful,
In obedience to God's will.
We would not call her back to earth,
From yonder's blissful shore,
But hope and strive to meet again,
When the trials of life are o'er.
Funeral services were conducted at the home in Shawnee township Friday afternoon, September 28, 1928, at 1:45 by Rev. L.W. Keele, of Butler, Mo., and the body laid to rest in the Austin cemetery in Cass county, Mo., beside that of her late husband.
Melissa Palestine Todd 
