Southern Graves

James A. Whiteside died on this date 118 years ago in Rutland, Georgia. He was born 28 July 1835 in Columbus, Georgia. James was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia. William Mize died on this date 54 years ago. His gravestone transcription from Magnolia Park Cemetery , Warner Robins, Georgia: William Mize Georgia PFC Co M 21 Infantry World War I April 14, 1902 - Jan 30, 1955 Southern Graves Home

Have you ever read an inscription on a gravestone that seemed so personal, so raw, you thought it could be a page from someone's diary? That's exactly how I felt when I read the love letter from Faye Wall to her husband Charles. A "ledger" gravestone is a slab that covers an entire grave. Mrs. Wall used this type of stone for her husband, and on it she had this inscribed in raised letters: This Is My Beloved Husband Charles Douglas Wall March 1, 1926 July 12, 1972 You Were My Purpose And My Way. Each Night And Day, Each Hour Something Wonderful And Dear Of You Will Ring My Heart And Knock Upon My Mind. For Love Has Your Face And Body, Your Tender Hands And Your Sweet Mouth - God Has Made No Other Eyes Like Yours. You Were All I And All Of Me Was You - My Senses Rhymed With Your Senses And Our Bodies Made Music And Gave Light As All Things Absolute. Now I Walk Alone, Slowly. No Hurry, Nobody's Waiting. My Love Who Loved Me Is Gone. ... Fay...

Clifford Angus Holleman died on this date 120 years ago, 5 days before his seventh birthday. He was born 3 February 1882. Clifford was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Leland Meitzler is back at GenealogyBlog , and today he wrote a nice post about The Missouri Death Certificates Online Index & Digital Death Certificates 1910-1957 . Check it out! It's always nice to find another free resource. I would like to add that you can find many Georgia death certificates online, as well. Georgia's Virtual Vault contains Georgia Death Certificates, 1919-1927 . The website copy states, "The collection also includes a number of certificates from 1914-1918, with the bulk dating from 1917 and 1918."

Sometimes I have trouble reading military gravestones. They oftentimes contain acronyms (or abbreviations, whichever is the correct term) that I just cannot figure out. Here's one from Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia I found especially difficult to decipher: Robert C. Countryman Georgia Pvt 6 GP MTD MG TNG CEN World War I Jan 6, 1892 - Aug 30, 1953 The only thing I thought I had was "training center" at the end of line three. I turned to my retired Air Force father for help (thanks, Dad). Here's what he came up with: "From my Army friends: Pvt = Private GP = MTD = Motor Transport Corps Division MG = Machine Gun TNG CEN = Training Center Don't know about the GP. It doesn't seem to fit but is related to the 6 which is for 6th Army. Could be general purpose." Anyone else have a go-to resource for better understanding the abbreviations on military gravestones?

Kennedy Bullard died on this date 157 years ago. This son of Wiley and Parthena Bullard was born 4 August 1819. He was buried in Beech Springs Methodist Church Cemetery ; Bullard, Twiggs County, Georgia.

I've been planning to take a trip to Russellville Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe County, Georgia ever since I researched a bit and wrote a post about Grady O'Neal and his wife Josephine Harbuck ( Grady O'Neal & the Girl Next Door ). According to an online transcription for this cemetery, Grady's mother Martha Baggarley O'Neal is buried in this cemetery. I decided to pay a visit and my respects. Since this week's "Genealogy Blogging Prompt" is to take a genealogy day trip and write about it, I figured I'd pay a bit more attention to my entire journey from start to finish. I actually started preparing for my trip the night before. I printed out directions to the cemetery, along with a couple of maps. My might-as-well-be-husband used to install satellite systems for DirecTV, and he told me a bit about the area since he had done some work there. He even told me a place I should stop and eat (I didn't, though). The next morning, I charg...

David E. Corder is buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. According to his marker, David was born 4 February 1890 and died 27 December 1952. Two graves next to his are Pearl Corder Kirkland (31 Jan 1885 - 13 Nov 1971) and Nancy E. Corder (29 Jan 1872 - 15 Jan 1959). Giving all the dates on the stones, we might conclude Nancy and Pearl were wives of David. Pearl could've simply married again after his death. However, what appears to be the case is not always the case... 1900 US Federal Census District 14, Lower Fifth, Militia District #769, Houston County, Georgia Sheet 12B 14 June 1900 Dwelling 249 (line 51) Corder , William M. (head) b. Apr 1852 - m. 28 yrs - b. Georgia - parents b. South Carolina, occ. Farmer Corder, Maryan (wife) b. Aug 1855 - m. 28 yrs - 7 children (5 living) - b. Georgia Corder, Nannie (dau) b. Feb 1873, Georgia Corder, Pearl (dau) b. Jan 1885, Georgia Corder, David (son) b. Feb 1890, Georgia From that ce...

Lula L. English died on this date 102 years ago. She was born 26 April 1873 and was the wife of H. W. English. Mrs. English was buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. Lounell Kersey Williams died on this date 20 years ago. She was born 31 October 1931. Lounell was also buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery. Southern Graves Home

Johnnie Barker Sasser died on this date 57 years ago. Johnnie, born 15 July 1876, was buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia.

Martha Underwood Carney died on this date 82 years ago. She was born 29 June 1834. Martha was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia. Joseph E. Staples died on this date 56 years ago. His gravestone transcription from Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia: Joseph E. Staples Georgia CFR Air Service World War I July 28, 1891 - Jan 23, 1953 Alice Hudson Harp died on this date 32 years ago. She was born 7 January 1909. Like Martha Carney, Mrs. Harp was also buried in Sardis Cemetery. Southern Graves Home

Here is more on the ongoing discussion of adding a 'green' cemetery in Bibb County, Georgia. The county commission has blocked it, for now. " Bibb Cemetery Ordinance Buried - For Now By Jennifer Burk An ordinance concerning the dead still is stirring up a lively debate. More than two months after the Bibb County Commission passed a cemetery ordinance restricting how and where bodies may be buried, opponents and supporters of the law still are arguing the issue." READ MORE

Florene Harp died on this date 49 years ago. She was born 12 February 1885. Florene was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Grady O'Neal Jan 27, 1890 - Oct 20, 1954 Magnolia Park Cemetery Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia Grady O'Neal was born in Crawford County, Georgia. He and his wife Josephine Harbuck (22 December 1894 - 29 October 1961) were both buried at Magnolia Park Cemetery. Grady, Josephine, and family can be found in the 1930 US Federal Census records. They were living on a farm in Randolph County, Georgia: Militia District 954 2 April 1930 Dwelling 13 Oneal , Grady (head) - age 40 - 1st m. age 21 - b. Georgia - occ. Brick Layer Oneal, Josephine L. (wife) - age 35 - 1st m. age 18 - b. Georgia Oneal, Alfred (son) - age 17 - b. Georgia - occ. Saw Mill Laborer Oneal, Florence (dau) - age 16 - b. Georgia Oneal, Laurie (son) - age 14 - b. Georgia - occ. Saw Mill Laborer Oneal, Roy (son) - age 12 - b. Georgia Oneal, Evelyn (dau) - age 10 - b. Georgia Oneal, Joe (son) - age 8 - b. Georgia Oneal, Margaret (dau) - age 4 ?/12 - b. Georgia Oneal, Marion (dau) - age 4 ?/12...

W. Selby Jester Oct 13, 1886 - April 25, 1961 Magnolia Park Cemetery Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia Mr. Selby Jester and his wife Minnie were both buried at Magnolia Park Cemetery. Minnie's gravemarker states she was born 12 April 1888 and died 30 March 1962. Selby's World War I draft registration card states the first initial of 'W' shown on the gravemarker above stands for William. He was born in Eupora, Mississippi, and his occupation in 1917 was farmer. Selby had a wife and three children at that time, and he was described as slender with brown eyes and dark hair. The 1900 US Federal Census suggests Selby's parents were Robert P. and Abigal M. Jester: District 102, Beat 4, Webster County, Mississippi Sheet 11A 23 June 1900 Dwelling 192 (line 15) Jester , Robert P. (head) - b. Oct 1846, Mississippi - m. 36 yrs - occ. Farmer Jester, Abigal M. (wife) - b. Mar 1848, Alabama - m. 36 yrs - 11 children - father b. Kentucky - mother b. South C...

Emma Rutledge Smith died on this date 69 years ago. This daughter of Arthur M. Rutledge and Elizabeth Underwood was born in Tennessee 29 March 1854. Emma later married Henry A. M. Smith. She was buried in St. Philip's Church Cemetery ; Charleston, South Carolina. The final words on her tombstone are quite beautiful: Where He Leads Me I Can Safely Go, And In the Blest Hereafter I Shall Know Why, in His Wisdom, He Hath Led Me So.

Elizabeth Wasilini 1923 - 1969 Magnolia Park Cemetery Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia I don't have much to offer about Ms. Elizabeth. For some reason, I like her simple grave marker. I can tell you the rosary beads are not common in my area.

Green Fitzgerald died on this date 110 years ago. He was born 10 April 1830. Green was buried in Elko Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia. Adelaide, wife of William Martin Herritage, Sr., died on this date 95 years ago at age 86. She was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Thomas Lowe died on this date 129 years ago. He was born 26 December 1826. Thomas was a member of Company I, 5th Georgia Regiment, Confederate States Army. He was buried along with his wife Cornelia Ann Mims in Beech Springs Methodist Church Cemetery , Bullard, Twiggs County, Georgia. To learn more about Thomas and Cornelia Mims Lowe, please read a previous post entitled Lowe Plantation Owners in Beech Springs Cemetery .

John A. Dunning District of Columbia Col US Air Force Res WWII Korea AFCM May 28, 1906 - Mar 14, 1974 Magnolia Park Cemetery Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia The gravemarker above peaked my interest for a couple of reasons. First, the idea that Mr. Dunning was from the District of Columbia. Being near a United States Air Force base, it is not uncommon to find individuals from all over the country in this cemetery. I always tend to snap a photo when I see them, though. Some researcher out there might be wondering where Col. Dunning ended up. Second, I wondered what the acronym AFCM meant. A quick search suggested it stood for "Air Force Commendation Medal." I confirmed this with my resident expert, my father. He is a retired Chief Master Sergeant from the US Air Force, and he now works for the Department of Defense in Washington, DC. So, I was hooked. I wanted to find out more about Col. John A. Dunning. A search of the 1910 US Federal Census resulted in this entr...

Charlotte Calhoun Upchurch died on this date 17 years ago. She was born 17 April 1941. Charlotte was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Charles "Boss" Watson 1875 - 1958 Magnolia Park Cemetery Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia The WATSON family has been a fixture in the town of Warner Robins (formerly known as Wellston), Georgia since its inception. Charles "Boss" Watson was the son of one of the town's first residents. When the town was incorporated as Warner Robins in 1943, C. B. Watson was named the first mayor. And he did so much more -- The following is from "The Faces of Houston County" -- Building Houston County: A Watson Family Tradition, Part 1 by Sherri Martin for the Local Builder , Summer 2007. As the plans for the town took a dramatic turn, the Watson's family involvement in the growth of the city also grew... Charles Bostick "Boss" Watson was a local farmer and businessman, co-owning a mercantile business. And if that were not enough, he was also a county commissioner and served as a member of the school board. "Boss" donated the l...

Christopher Eric Head died on this date 22 years ago. He was born 28 June 1985. This "Little Angel" was buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery , Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia.

Lucy Kate Herndon died on this date 100 years ago, at age 2 months and 2 days. Lucy was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia. Edna Kezar Braswell died on this date 72 years ago. She was born 6 December 1889. Mrs. Braswell was buried in Elko Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia.

The image above is from the gravestone of Cola S. Martin (1903 - 1984) and Wilma B. Martin (1907 - 1990) found in Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. Notice the symbols on either side of the surname. The one on the left is a 3 chain link for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows . The one on the right is an R with a dove and crescent moon with seven stars for the Rebekah Lodge . I've tried to enlarge the images so they are easier to see below: Stamped above the chain link symbol on Cola's side of the gravestone is another 3 chain links with F, L, and T inside. This stands for Friendship, Love, and Truth. It is an important principle of Odd Fellowship. From their website (linked above), an Odd Fellow is "a person that is 16-18 years or older whom believes in a Supreme Being, Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and is faithful to their Country." Rebekahs are described this way: Odd Fellows, recognizing the need for a woman...

Vernon Eugene Watson died on this date 95 years ago. He was born 21 March 1913 to Ted Eugene and Mattie J. Watson. Vernon was buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. Morgan Phillips died on this date 52 years ago. His tombstone transcription from Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia: Morgan Phillips Cpl 30 Co TRANS Corps World War I Dec 18, 1890 - Jan 13, 1957 Southern Graves Home

Col. William Rhett "dyed suddenly but not unprepared" on this date 287 years ago. He was born in London 4 September 1722. Col. Rhett was buried in St. Philip's Church Cemetery ; Charleston, South Carolina. To read more about him, please visit a previous post: Here Rests the Body of Col. William Rhett . Tinie B. Watson died on this date 38 years ago. Tinie, born 11 August 1883, was buried in Bonaire Cemetery; Houston County, Georgia. John Cary Sasser died on this date 36 years ago. He was born 10 May 1919. John was also buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia.

The Graveyard Rabbits have been really busy this past week. 111 articles were published by bloggers passionate about cemeteries. A complete list can be found here . As always, there is a link to more Graveyard Rabbit information in the sidebar. Southern Graves Home

Anne Branford Lowndes Walker died on this date 56 years ago. She was born 7 May 1878 and later married Henry Frost Walker. Anne was buried in St. Philip's Church Cemetery ; Charleston, South Carolina. Henry Lee Perdue died on this date 33 years ago. He was born 5 April 1927. Henry was buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia. Lillie Tyner Nowell died on this date 17 years ago. She was born 25 December 1886. Lillie was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Frances Hartley, wife of John Barton, died on this date 101 years ago. She was born 9 April 1839. Frances was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia. Elise Moody Calhoun died on this date 40 years ago. She was born 6 October 1910. Elise was buried in Sardis Cemetery, as well. Crawford V. Watson died on this date 95 years ago. He was born 20 November 1885. Crawford was buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery , Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. For more information about Mr. Watson, please read an earlier post - Crawford V. Watson: One of the Best Known . Emanuel L. Walker died on this date 12 years ago. He was born 28 December 1919 and married Thelma 18 February 1947. Mr. Walker was buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia.

Back in the early 1950's my grandparents lost a set of twin girls shortly after their birth. Plots were purchased, and the twins were buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. One day, my grandparents will be laid to rest next to them. For 50+ years my grandmother has tended the twins' grave, and there have been many times when Grandpa and I were with her. On more than one occasion, Pa would mention that the twins were buried not long before "they started babyland." He would always point in a general direction, but I never noticed any obvious special section for infants. On a recent visit to Magnolia Park, I stumbled across this "babyland" section. It is located in the central section behind the oldest graves, which are behind the main sign for the cemetery. All the markers are tiny and flat, and there are quite a few. If you are not careful, you will be stepping on one before you know it. I'm sure there are even r...

William Martin Herritage died on this date 71 years ago. He was born 29 April 1855. William was buried at Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Lounell Kersey Williams Oct 31, 1931 Jan 25, 1989 Wife - Mother - Friend When Your Love is Gone And She Lies Beneath the Flowers, You'll Find that the Nights All Have Twenty Three Hours. ( Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia)

Thomas Jefferson Marshall died on this date 104 years ago. His gravestone transcription from Hillcrest Cemetery, Reynolds, Taylor County, Georgia: Thomas Jefferson Marshall Capt Co E 6 GA Vol Inf Crawford Co Greys Confederate States Army Feb 21, 1834 - Jan 8, 1905 Edgar Milton Nowell died on this date 83 years ago. He was born 23 December 1923. Edgar was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Ada Laverne Williams June 30, 1938 Dec 16, 1986 For God in His Perfect Way Chose This Rose for His Heavenly Bouquet ( Magnolia Park Cemetery ; Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia)

I recently wrote a post about the Southern Cross of Honor bestowed upon Confederate soldiers and how this honor can sometimes be seen on their gravestones to varying degrees. I also mentioned how service to the Confederacy was more commonly represented (or not) on soldiers' gravestones in my area. Most often, the birth and death of the soldier is given more importance on the stones than the Confederate service. In a recent trip to Oak Hill Cemetery in Talbotton, Talbot County, Georgia, I found this is not always the case. In Oak Hill Cemetery, sometimes referred to as the Talbotton City Cemetery, the Confederate service of a soldier was many times given more importance than birth and death dates. Here are several examples of what I mean: Hamilton Harvey Doles Brigade Edward Proctor 27th Ga Reg Walter P. Watts Co D 9 Ga Inf C S A Corp Samuel B. Baldwin Co A 4 Ga Inf C. S. A. Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori [It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country] Erected by ...

It's been almost 209 years since the death of Edward Rutledge, Esq. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of the state of South Carolina. Mr. Rutledge was buried in St. Philip's Church Cemetery; Charleston, South Carolina. Such an important figure in American history surely has an awesome tombstone, right? Not exactly. The gravestone of Mr. Rutledge is not much to look at. A simple slab he shares with his wife. However, the words inscribed on this stone certainly describe the importance of this man, at least to those who made sure those words were put there. Beneath this Stone are deposited the remains of his excellency Edward Rutledge, Esq. Late governor of this state whom it pleased the Almighty to take from this life Jany 23rd, 1800 at the age of fifty years and two months. The virtues of this eminent citizen require not the aid of an inscription here to recall them to our recollection, it is believed that they are engraven on...

Mary Jane, wife of John Mitchell, died on this date 115 years ago. She was born 6 April 1824. Mrs. Mitchell was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Two Local Cemeteries Added to State Historic Register By Scott Mims for Clanton Advertiser "Two cemeteries in Chilton County, the Atchison Cemetery located near Isabella and the Moore Cemetery in Pletcher, have been added to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register." READ MORE Southern Graves Home

Henry B. Howard died on this date 23 years ago. He was born 25 November 1916. Mr. Howard is at rest in Henderson Spring Road Cemetery ; Elko, Houston County, Georgia.

The great United States of America is a melting pot of people born in this country, as well as individuals from different countries and cultures. Many of those individuals speak different languages in addition to English. Those different languages can sometimes carry over into the cemeteries which hold their gravestones. I am fluent in one language - English. I took Spanish in high school, so I can pick out words here and there. Also, I lived in Germany for a few years when I was a child, so I can pick out a few words of that language. That's it. So when I come across gravestones inscribed in a language other than English, I'm pretty much lost. You might not think that would be a problem when visiting local cemeteries, but you'd be surprised. A huge cemetery in Macon, GA named Rose Hill has several hundred tombstones on which the Hebrew language is dominant. A cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina named Bethany is the final resting place of many German immigrants. ...