The Richmond Funeral

“At Richmond, a northern suburb of Oakland, the California Conference was holding its annual camp meeting. Here were assembled many of Ellen White's old associates from the Oakland church, and many representatives of the churches that she had often visited in her earlier California labors. When they heard of Ellen White's death, they requested that her body be brought to the camp meeting, and that there be a service there. They said, ‘If Sister White were alive and well, she would be right here at this meeting, telling us how to live a Christian life. Why not let her be brought here and someone tell us how she lived it?’” (WCW to David Lacey, July 20, 1915).WV 547.4

About a thousand people were present for the Monday-morning funeral service at the campground. E. E. Andross, president of the Pacific Union Conference, was in charge of the service and was assisted by A. O. Tait, Signs editor, and Elders Loughborough and Farnsworth. At 3:00 in the afternoon, following the service, W. C. White and Sara McEnterfer boarded the train, expecting to reach Battle Creek by Thursday evening.WV 547.5