Southern Graves

The World War I veteran was shot in his left side with a pistol. Thomas Glover "Tom" Padgett was born on 10 July 1888 in Twiggs County, Georgia, to William B. and Annie Davis Padgett. He was inducted into the United States Army at Jeffersonville, Georgia, on 26 June 1918. Tom served overseas from 24 August 1918 to 2 April 1919. It was noted on his World War I service card that Tom was "slightly" wounded about 1 November 1918, and was honorably discharged on demobilization, 24 April 1919. Years later, by 1935, Tom had a room in a boarding house on West Franklin Street in Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina. Gastonia was once one of the nation's largest textile-manufacturing hubs. Though no occupation was listed for Tom in the 1940 census, he was surrounded by neighbors working in cotton mills. In February 1943, Tom was shot and killed in his room at the boarding house. While his death certificate officially records the date as February 16th, contemporary news...

Louisa Jane Griner was born 27 April 1830 in Tattnall County, Georgia to Benjamin and Caroline Griner. She married Hardy Padgett 26 January 1847, and the couple had at least five children: Georgia, Benjamin, John, James, and Caroline. For the taking of the 1870 U.S. Federal census, Hardy and Jane were residing in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia. Louisa died 11 June 1874 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia. A brief obituary: Standard and Express  (Cartersville, Georgia) 17 June 1874 MRS. PADGETT , wife of Mr. H. Padgett, of this place, died on Thursday morning last, after a long and lingering sickness of near two years' duration. A consistent member of the Methodist church, she died in the faith, departing in peace. Her funeral services took place at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. Mr. Headden, the resident pastor, before a large and sympathizing congregation. So one by one we pass away to the great gathering day, when the sorrows of e...