Southern Graves

Homer F. Bell…miraculously escaped serious injury or possible death late Wednesday when he fell through a collapsed porch partly into a well. This nugget was printed on page 1 of the 23 May 1940 Marietta Journal (Georgia).  Almost exactly one month later, another accident happened.  This time, Mr. Bell was not as lucky.  The same newspaper, issued 24 June 1940, stated Homer F. Bell died "of an accidental shotgun wound inflicted while cleaning his gun."  He was just 43. The tragedy is echoed on Mr. Bell's death certificate. In the section devoted to cause of death is written: We the sworn an Empaneled jury – according to Law find that Homer Franklin Bell came to his death from accidental gunshot wound. Homer Bell was born  2 November 1896 in Canton, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Bell.  He received excellent marks in prep school and graduated from Mercer University.  His career was devoted to education. Homer died 21 June 1940 in Smyrna, Georgia...

From Blue Heights Baptist Church Cemetery at Mountain City, Rabun County, Georgia: Ferber A. Bell (1879-1922) and Tobitha D. Bell (1883-1923) I uncovered Tobitha's death certificate at FamilySearch.org. (Her first name was indexed as Tobeeka.) From this document I learned Mrs. Bell's cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, and I also learned the names of her parents. Tobitha was the daughter of Henry B. Dotson and Rebecca Speed, both being among those at rest in Blue Heights Baptist Church Cemetery. H. B. Dotson (Oct 13, 1851 - Oct 23, 1920) Rebecca Dotson (July 20, 1850 - Dec 6, 1918) Photos © 2011-2013 S. Lincecum

I absolutely love to find tombstones like these. Of course, I've never come across one that pertains to my family. Nonetheless, seeing an individual's lineage inscribed in granite is a genealogist's dream. Too bad there are no attached sources! :-) I felt compelled to type it all here, hoping someone interested may stumble upon it. Caroline Walker Nottingham (July 21, 1882 ~ Sept 8, 1963), a daughter of the Confederacy, was laid to rest next to her husband Eliot Theodore Nottingham (Sept 12, 1871 ~ Jan 4, 1961) in Roberta City Cemetery; Crawford County, Georgia. On the back of the granite family stone, the names and dates of 5 generations of Walkers and Nottinghams were inscribed: Eliot T. Nottingham - Married Caroline Walker Nov 16, 1904 - Of This Union Was Born William Marshall Nottingham ---------------------------- Caroline W. Nottingham Daughter of William J. Walker (1851-1911) & Annie R. Walker (1860-1932) Granddaughter of Charles H. Walker (1812-18...

Mark Berman at the Washington Post wrote a nice article about a tribute paid to fourteen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. " Arlington National Cemetery: Honoring Fallen 14 with 'Quiet Strength' Four Black Hawk helicopters skimmed overhead against the backdrop of a gray, cloudy sky. Below, more than 150 people brought together by tragedy and united in grief gathered yesterday to pay tribute to 14 soldiers honored at Arlington National Cemetery..." The soldiers were killed August 2007 in Iraq. They were between the ages of 20 and 30 and represented 11 states. I am proud of all these soldiers, I thank them for their service and sacrifice, and I pray for all their families. For the purpose of this blog, I will point out the soldiers that represent the southern states. - Capt. Corry P. Tyler, age 29, of Woodbine, GA; - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul J. Flynn, age 28, of Whitsett, NC; - Spec. Tyler R. Seideman, age 20, of Lincoln, Ark.; - Spec. Rickey L. Bell, age ...