Hey Gang, Put 9 more obits from Gina Sherrard & Peggy Rockett up last night. Woke up this morning so sick I stayed home from work, something I never do, but I couldn't resist sneaking in and putting up two photos that Bobby Bayles sent us. Every single person in the photos is identified by name, but Bobby doesn't know the name of the school or the year. Based on the names, I'm betting some of you can at least come close. Let us hear from you! Karen Mabry Rice, USGenWeb Archives Coordinator Union Parish, Lousiana http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/union.htm

Hello, I have some pictures of my Dad in front of a huge snowman. Looks like about a 4" snow. I am pretty sure the time is about 1930-1932. I am not sure of the place because my family moved from Louisiana (Monroe/Farmerville) to Oklahoma just about that time. Does anyone know where I could check to see if there was a BIG snow around Farmerville/Monroe about that time? Thanks, Harold Dozier

Well, the server maintenance is done. It seems to me that things on the archives load a lot quicker. I also don't seem to be getting as many bounced messages on my mailing lists. Last night I added 2 photos from Harold Dozier - one I plan to also put on the "Unidentified Photos" page - as there are 3 1925 high schoolers from Union Parish with his father that Harold doesn't know the names of. Hazel Crain sent me sections 3 & 4 of Weldon Cemetery, so it is complete now. Also added 1 obit from Ann Pearson and 9 from Gina Sherrard & Peggy Rockett. Added a Memory Lane story of my own called "Borrowed Memories" with some funny and touching and interesting stories from my father and grandfather. Thanks for all the kind words lately, but you guys are the ones that make it possible. Judy Cole, I finally finished formatting the 1860 Census!!!! Why didn't you tell me ? - I just slapped them up there and forgot about the formatting. Little by little I am trying to clean up all the contributions and make them neat and uniform. Karen Mabry Rice, USGenWeb Archives Coordinator Union Parish, Lousiana http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/union.htm

Taken from the Bass Family History written in 1955 by Ivan Bass George L. Bass aka Dock son of Malachi and Arcadia Polk Bass was born June 26, 1839. No further information of Dock Bass has been obtained unless it was he who purchased a tract of land from the government in 1879, the land being situated in Union Parish, Louisiana. In connection with the purchase of this land, Dock Bass made the following statement: "I am forty years of age; have a wife and three children; settled on the land January 15, 1874; established residence on the land in November of 1873; built a house on the land in 1873; my address is Farmersville, Union Parish, Louisiana" A search of the SSDI turned up three people with last known residence in Union Parish two of which were in Farmersville. I am hoping to find some descendants of George Bass. Pamela Dyess Mann My Genealogy Related Pages: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~pdyess/gene.htm Researching Dyess, Bass, Pierce, Robbins, Polk, Evans, King, Beasley, McPhail, Stuckey, Tolar, Myers, Spurlock, Sterling, and Fortenberry A country which supresses it's history is doomed to fail...

I think I was so sleepy when I quit last night I forgot to say that there were 4 new photos on the photo page and 4 new photos on the unidentified photos page, thanks to Delores Tousinau. There are actually only 5 photos altogether, but I put 3 of the ones from the photos page on the "unidentified" page, because Delores only knows her relatives and there are several other Union Parish people in these photos. BTW, our "unidentifieds" are linked to a statewide page for "unidentifieds." Karen Mabry Rice, USGenWeb Archives Coordinator Union Parish, Lousiana http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/union.htm

We just put a partial survey of Weldon Cemetery on & the rest will follow soon, thanks to Hazel Craig. Thanks, Hazel!! Lots of my Mabrys in there - more than I knew about. Also 6 more obits from Gina & Peggy. Just letting you know, Friday (tomorrow) night at 8 PM, CST, Rootsweb will be shutting down the server for routine maintenance. They don't give an estimate for going back up, but hope to keep it as brief as possible, and when they are done, things should be smoother and faster. I know it will affect the archives. Not sure whether it will affect the mailing lists or not - I guess it would have to. So don't panic, we'll all be back up and running soon. Karen Mabry Rice, USGenWeb Archives Coordinator Union Parish, Lousiana http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/union.htm

No, you are not the only one interested in the family of Colonel Matthew Wood, as I know I am. There are several records in particular on Matthew Wood's family that I have been wanting to see for a long time. These are cases that went before the Georgia Legislature in the 1810s in which Matthew Wood was granted a divorce from his first wife and then another in which he adopted the older children of Hannah Payne, whom he married after his divorce was granted. These records prove that Matthew Wood moved from GA to south Louisiana with Hannah Payne's brother. There is no doubt but that the Matthew Wood and Hannah Payne involved in the Georgia Legislature case are the same couple who later moved to Butler and Lowndes Co AL and then Union Parish LA: the names of the Hannah Payne's children whom Matthew Wood adopted in Georgia are the same as the children of the Union Parish Matthew Wood. Does anyone have further information on this? Where exactly was Matthew Wood buried? I'm a little unclear as to where in Texas he lived after he had to leave regarding the "shootout" that occurred on the streets of Farmerville in 1841. And is it known exactly when he moved back to LA from Texas? Tim Hudson -----Original Message----- From: Gritzbaugh@aol.com To: LAUNION-L@rootsweb.com Sent: 2/22/01 7:50 AM Subject: Re: [LALINCOL-L] Listowner message - Rootsweb downtime Peggy: I have some recent pictures of the John Stow Cemetery which was established in 1829. Would you like for me to send you them? If so, will this address accept the attachment? I have also sent the cemetery information to Karen and Kelly. Karen cannot use them because they are in Union Parish. I have not heard from Kelly. The cemetery has been completely restored and is quite beautiful. There are only about 16 graves in the cemetery. The oldest one belongs to Talitha Cumi Stow Anderson who died in 1829. I suspect it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. It is located about 7 miles from Ruston on highway 33 going toward Farmerville, La. I also have a photo of the grave of Matthew Wood who was President of the first Union Parish, La. Police Jury. Am I the only one interested in this family? Hannah Payne Wood is buried next to Matthew. Their graves are marked. I did not keep a copy of Hannah's grave. I sent my only copy of that one to Karen. Thanks, Sherry Gresham Gritzbaugh

Peggy: I have some recent pictures of the John Stow Cemetery which was established in 1829. Would you like for me to send you them? If so, will this address accept the attachment? I have also sent the cemetery information to Karen and Kelly. Karen cannot use them because they are in Union Parish. I have not heard from Kelly. The cemetery has been completely restored and is quite beautiful. There are only about 16 graves in the cemetery. The oldest one belongs to Talitha Cumi Stow Anderson who died in 1829. I suspect it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. It is located about 7 miles from Ruston on highway 33 going toward Farmerville, La. I also have a photo of the grave of Matthew Wood who was President of the first Union Parish, La. Police Jury. Am I the only one interested in this family? Hannah Payne Wood is buried next to Matthew. Their graves are marked. I did not keep a copy of Hannah's grave. I sent my only copy of that one to Karen. Thanks, Sherry Gresham Gritzbaugh

Hi gang, Leah suggested I add a "signature" to my e-mail that contained the url for the archives. Hope this makes it more convenient for everyone. Good idea, Leah. Karen Mabry Rice, USGenWeb Archives Coordinator Union Parish, Lousiana http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/union.htm

Hey, gang - have added more obits, one bio, a military record, a cemetery, a church history, a memory or two, and gosh knows what else! If you checked out the site this weekend and had problems accessing some things those problems are all fixed now. We have a two new sections called "Virtual Cemetery" and "Unidentified Photos." Moved the cemetery and gravestone photos onto the "Virtual Cemetery" page, and right now there is only one photo on the the "Unidentified Photos" page. Have one or two to put up there myself when I get the new driver for my scanner, and will welcome any that anyone wants to put up there. I have no idea how many "k"s we put up this month, but I suspect the total is astonishing. If I have overlooked or missed ANYTHING that ANYONE sent, please let me know!!! I'm not young any more, and I've never had that much stuff to put on a website in such or short time! So, if I overlooked anything, don't take it personally, just send me a "hey, stupid!" e-mail and we'll get it taken care of. Karen

Forgot to say: I've created a subpage called "Virtual Cemetery" and moved all our cemetery and gravestone photos to that page. Karen

Hi Listers, I've added: Evergreen Cemetery, thanks to Sherry Gritzbaugh 3 obits: thanks to Ann Pearson 3 or 4 (?) obits thanks to Shawn Martin 4 memories, thanks to Sherry Gritzbaugh, Hazel Craig, and Charles McGough (btw, Charles' is interesting, because he still lives in Union Parish) 4 marriages thanks to Shawn Martin 38 (I think - I may have lost count) obits thanks to Gina Sherrard & Peggy Rockett. If I've missed naming anyone, I apologize. I don't know if youall know it or not, but each month USGenWeb tallies up and announces who has put the most (in kilobytes) on the web. Since the USGenWeb began, Louisiana has been consistently #1 or #2, most often #1. Lately, Texas has been kicking our fannies. They catch on slow, but they're a big state. <g> If Louisiana doesn't take back #1 for February, it sure won't be for lack of effort on the part of us Union Parish folks!!! Thanks to all, Karen PS - I forgot to say (not to give anyone any ideas - tee, hee, hee) - there is an interesting new file in the marriages - For a year now I've had a file we couldn't access because it was a bimpy (.bmp) file. It was the scanned marriage license of Peter Oliver Price and Charlottle Charity Boatright. Jim Lee rescanned it and saved it as a .tif file, and it looks great!

Hazel--Where is Three Creeks, AR? Tell me just how you are related to me, please.....mmst ----- Original Message ----- From: HAZEL W. CRAIG <hwctodd@aeneas.net> To: <LAUNION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 7:12 PM Subject: DOWN MEMORY LANE > >From Tennessee: > > Union Parish Louisiana holds many great childhood memories of both joy nad > sorrow. I want to think of the happy days. - In the summer of 1929, about > my earliest memory, my mother had to have an appendectomy at Ruston > Lincoln Hospital. It was decided Grandma Jennie Welch and Grandma Sallie > Andrews would keep my baby brother, Willie Welch, Jr., who was just under > three years of age and I would go stay with Mother and Daddy's best > friends, Thelma and Stanley Fitzgerald. I enjoyed my stay with them so > much when my parents got back home I wanted to stay with the Fitzgeralds. > They had spoiled my rotten. Mother was in hospital two weeks, and then > was at my Uncle William Gray's home in Ruston for another week, so the > three weeks were filled with undivided attention. Through the years going > back to Louisiana from, in those days, Michigan, I would always visit > Thelma and Stanley. I was unable to visit La. when either of them passed > away but on every trip south would go to Pisgah Cemetery and visit their > graves. Even today I can close my eyes and see Uncle Dan Grafton, Thelma's > father, his snow white hair shinning when he knelt in Pisgah Church to > pray. Funny the things a child really remembers! Stanley Fitzgerald was > second cousin of my dad's and also he was a cousin to the Graftons. I > caught my first school bus at Grafton Crossing on Hwy. 167. > > In the fourth grade of school one of my only three first cousins came from > St. Louis, Missouri to stay with my grandmother and go to school. Do you > remember Frank W. Griffith, Jr. He attended the sixth, seventh and eighth > grades in Bernice in 1933, 34, and 1935. He was the school's best boxer. > And a handsome kid from the north as they called him. Frank was like a > big brother to me, always protecting me from any unhappeness that came up. > Frank Griffith passed away in November 1990 after a long bout with cancer > and buried in Illinois, leaving his widow, Ann Kozak Griffith. During a > long stay in the Marines in the South Pacific in WWII he contracted > malaria, which he carried in his bloodstream until his death, rendering him > unable to have children. Frank was in the Second Marine Division and was > nearby when he saw one of the Fomby boys from Bernice killed in action. > They were friends when Frank was in La. years earlier and ended up in the > same unit. Frank enlisting from Illinois and Fomby from Bernice. > > My high-school years were spent going to Church at Weldon Baptist Church > where I was saved in 1936 and baptized by Bro. M. V. Burns. And that > occured in the Fuller Pond too. I enjoyed going to Weldon and the > fellowship I had with the Browns, the Lees, Thurmonds, Youngbloods, etc. > will never be forgotten. > Four generations on my Welch side are buried in the Weldon Cemetery. Four > generations of my Andrews side are also buried there. And I have > identified an unmarked grave next to my grandfather Andrew's parents as > being Mollie Andrew's mother, Martha Scott Carley. A marker has already > been cut and on my next trip to La. I will have it erected in the Weldon > Cemetery. Her grave was marked with a half of a well tile. You may have > seen this pretty brown half tile. It has been there 60 years that I know > of and was actually placed there many years before that and I will leave it > as is, and place marker inside the tile. My cousin Sibyl Slavin of > Oklahoma helped identify grave from a letter she received in the 1980's. > > I have placed several CENOTAPH monument markers in TN., have one ready to > be placed in New Hope Cemetery at Three Creeks, AR. for my Jenkins > Hansford Welch who came from MS. to AR. in 1842. That also will be erected > on next trip to LA. > This unmarked grave marking is very inmportant to me. If you have > knowledge of an ancestor's grave that isn't marked, please mark it so the > next cemetery reading it will be picked up and published in the cemetery > book. > > Now for my sad tale, the morning I was leaving LA., July 1940 with my aunt > and uncle, Edward and Birdie Christman, to go to St. Louis to go to school > that fall, my favorite little dog got under the wheels of our car and > mother backed out and ran over and killed my dog. I believe it hurt her > worse than I. > > I am now retired from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (now CSX) in Detroit, > Michigan, and have been in Camden, Tennessee for several years doing family > research. I am Editor of our Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly > and I volunteer one day a week at our library even though I am handicapped. > Researching: KEY, WELCH, ANDREWS, CARLEY, STRANGE, LAWRENCE AND > McMURRAIN. CRAIG, CATES, BATEMAN AND TODD. > Happy Hunting. > >

Very much enjoy reading all the memories. Does anyone "remember " or heard of any Embry families? Looking for death date and burial place of Fannie Cook Embry. She would have been abt 75 in 1928. Thanks, Sally

From Tennessee: Union Parish Louisiana holds many great childhood memories of both joy nad sorrow. I want to think of the happy days. - In the summer of 1929, about my earliest memory, my mother had to have an appendectomy at Ruston Lincoln Hospital. It was decided Grandma Jennie Welch and Grandma Sallie Andrews would keep my baby brother, Willie Welch, Jr., who was just under three years of age and I would go stay with Mother and Daddy's best friends, Thelma and Stanley Fitzgerald. I enjoyed my stay with them so much when my parents got back home I wanted to stay with the Fitzgeralds. They had spoiled my rotten. Mother was in hospital two weeks, and then was at my Uncle William Gray's home in Ruston for another week, so the three weeks were filled with undivided attention. Through the years going back to Louisiana from, in those days, Michigan, I would always visit Thelma and Stanley. I was unable to visit La. when either of them passed away but on every trip south would go to Pisgah Cemetery and visit their graves. Even today I can close my eyes and see Uncle Dan Grafton, Thelma's father, his snow white hair shinning when he knelt in Pisgah Church to pray. Funny the things a child really remembers! Stanley Fitzgerald was second cousin of my dad's and also he was a cousin to the Graftons. I caught my first school bus at Grafton Crossing on Hwy. 167. In the fourth grade of school one of my only three first cousins came from St. Louis, Missouri to stay with my grandmother and go to school. Do you remember Frank W. Griffith, Jr. He attended the sixth, seventh and eighth grades in Bernice in 1933, 34, and 1935. He was the school's best boxer. And a handsome kid from the north as they called him. Frank was like a big brother to me, always protecting me from any unhappeness that came up. Frank Griffith passed away in November 1990 after a long bout with cancer and buried in Illinois, leaving his widow, Ann Kozak Griffith. During a long stay in the Marines in the South Pacific in WWII he contracted malaria, which he carried in his bloodstream until his death, rendering him unable to have children. Frank was in the Second Marine Division and was nearby when he saw one of the Fomby boys from Bernice killed in action. They were friends when Frank was in La. years earlier and ended up in the same unit. Frank enlisting from Illinois and Fomby from Bernice. My high-school years were spent going to Church at Weldon Baptist Church where I was saved in 1936 and baptized by Bro. M. V. Burns. And that occured in the Fuller Pond too. I enjoyed going to Weldon and the fellowship I had with the Browns, the Lees, Thurmonds, Youngbloods, etc. will never be forgotten. Four generations on my Welch side are buried in the Weldon Cemetery. Four generations of my Andrews side are also buried there. And I have identified an unmarked grave next to my grandfather Andrew's parents as being Mollie Andrew's mother, Martha Scott Carley. A marker has already been cut and on my next trip to La. I will have it erected in the Weldon Cemetery. Her grave was marked with a half of a well tile. You may have seen this pretty brown half tile. It has been there 60 years that I know of and was actually placed there many years before that and I will leave it as is, and place marker inside the tile. My cousin Sibyl Slavin of Oklahoma helped identify grave from a letter she received in the 1980's. I have placed several CENOTAPH monument markers in TN., have one ready to be placed in New Hope Cemetery at Three Creeks, AR. for my Jenkins Hansford Welch who came from MS. to AR. in 1842. That also will be erected on next trip to LA. This unmarked grave marking is very inmportant to me. If you have knowledge of an ancestor's grave that isn't marked, please mark it so the next cemetery reading it will be picked up and published in the cemetery book. Now for my sad tale, the morning I was leaving LA., July 1940 with my aunt and uncle, Edward and Birdie Christman, to go to St. Louis to go to school that fall, my favorite little dog got under the wheels of our car and mother backed out and ran over and killed my dog. I believe it hurt her worse than I. I am now retired from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (now CSX) in Detroit, Michigan, and have been in Camden, Tennessee for several years doing family research. I am Editor of our Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly and I volunteer one day a week at our library even though I am handicapped. Researching: KEY, WELCH, ANDREWS, CARLEY, STRANGE, LAWRENCE AND McMURRAIN. CRAIG, CATES, BATEMAN AND TODD. Happy Hunting.

Thanks for posting this information. Does anybody have any information on the "Jane Dozier" mentioned below? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Thornton "Bill" Gresham > Born in Wilkes County, Ga. 1822 > Died 14 December 1914 > His obit read that he was a son of Jane Dozier & William Gresham -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Best Regards, Harold Dozier Gritzbaugh@aol.com wrote: > > Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery > Read by Mrs. Frances Bagwell Womack and > submitted to the compiler for publication. > > All graves face East. Isiah 43:5 reads > Fear not; for I am with thee; I will bring they seed from the East, > and gather thee from the West. >

Dear Ms. Tousinau: I was delighted to read your post on the Union Parish site. I have also submitted a biography along with a letter Brother Gray Nolan wrote to me in 1969. I sent the information to Karen Mabry for her rootsweb page. She probably hasn't had time to read it yet as it was not send until late yesterday afternoon. Maybe you can give us the dates Brother Nolan died & where he was buried. He was a man who made a difference in the Evergreen Community. My dearest friend is also a Pace descendant. We were wondering which Pace you descended from. Her computer is down right now but we do talk on a daily basis. Subj: Re: More about Evergreen Baptist Church & Community Date: 2/16/01 9:09:18 PM Central Standard Time From: tousinau@bellsouth.net (Delores Tousinau) It was wonderful to read about Gray Nolan. He was my husband's uncle. His wife Lois and my husband's mother Opal were sisters. We have two photos of Gray and Lois's twins Freddy and Teddy taken when they were 15 months and another about 2 years. Does anyone know if Emmitt Earl Nolan is still the postmaster at Farmerville? We would like to get these pictures to a family member.

Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery Read by Mrs. Frances Bagwell Womack and submitted to the compiler for publication. All graves face East. Isiah 43:5 reads Fear not; for I am with thee; I will bring they seed from the East, and gather thee from the West. Row #1 1-5 are vacant plots Aubrey Simpson married 1 Jan. 1938 to Florence Austin Simpson 29 May, 1909 26 Oct. 1965 Rest In Thine Sweet Rembrance Ours? Inez was born 21 August 1922 At the time of her death Florence had remarried and was living in the Evergreen Community. She was still living in 1993. 8-9-10 are vacant plots Robert Earl Simpson married 15 Dec. 1907 to Bertha Thomas Simpson He was born 13 Oct. 1880 and died 07 March 1959 She was born 31 Oct. 1888 and died 25 June 1969 On That Bright Immortal Shore We Shall Meet To Part No More Russell Arlis Simpson April 16, 1927 April 26, 1977 Clyde D. Simpson 27 Jun. 1941 21 Oct. 1964 He Died For God And our Country There is an unmarked graved for Mrs. Hal Barham in this area. Florence P. Simpson June 6, 1920 Children - Jimmy, Don, & Bunny Florence was alive when this history was compiled. At that time she was still living in the Evergreen Community. Barham, William "H" (Shorty) July 31, 1898 Dec. 27, 1974 Barham, Irene Smitherman June 11, 1903 November 11, 1954 George Washington Moore Mar. 28, 1907 5-8-1971 Marie Barham Moore July 18, 1908 John Vaughn Wortham 1-13-1907 7-8-1971 Sedra. R. Wortham 3-20-1916 Earl T. Simpson Father 4-10-1912 11-22-1986 Lois Simpson Mother 4-14-1914 Children: Ira, Jerry, Earlene Marshall Lee Moore 7-1-1911 2-19-1973 Lydia Moore 7-21-1914 5-26-1976 Wess E. Ray Father 7-3-1908 7-27-1978 Minnie Lee Ray Mother 9-13-1915 Debra Bonette Bailey 11-8-1980 11-8-1980 Child of Donny & Laura Bailey Sister: Pam, Tara, Dona Lee Porter Father 3-2-1908 6-14-197 Clara Barham Porter Mother 2-13-1911 Harry W. Tipton 4-10-1929 5-11-1980 Betsy R. Tipton 10-6-1930 Betsy Ross Reeves was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ross Reeves. She is now deceased. At the time of her death she was a resident of the Evergreen Community. Milton Carey Reeves 1-13-1917 Pvt. USA 1-31-1985 Bessie Barham Reeves 4-11-1898 11-30-1972 E. Ross Reeves 10-19-1894 Hattie Rea Austin 2-19-1903 married Jim Austin 8-13-1919 She was born 1-19-1903 and died 3-6-1978 He was born 9-7-1900 and died 7-17-1975 James Henry Austin 2-27-1949 3-27-1990 Eula Margarette Austin 1925 1965 Kenneth Ray 1931 There are two empty spots that have been reserved by Sherry Gresham Gritzbaugh next to her Father. Ben Allen Gresham March 2, 1902 November 1, 1977 Private U.S. Army Children: Bennie Jean, Royce Gale & Sherry Larue There is an unmarked grave for the baby of Tom Rea buried at the foot of the Gresham graves. Next to Ben Gresham are his parents Rebecca Belmira Feazel Gresham 1-9-1863 4-22-1935 Marcellous Allen Gresham 5-23-1866 Cortez Gresham 2-25-1907 6-21-2989 Margaret Reeves Gresham 8-19-1921 9-11-1981 Children: Prentice and Glenda Prentice Gresham died a few years ago and is now interred by his parents. His grave is marked. Latrus Boggs 26 Jan. 1890 17 Jun. 1962 Lou Ellen Austin Boggs 6 Jan. 1907 18 Dec. 1942 Jimmy Ray Austin 9-5-1948 8-20-1949 Marvin Edgar Smith married 9-13-1941 to Dorothy Golden Smith He was born 12-5-1919. She was born 2-10-1921 Children: Toni E. and Wanda There was a new headstone that was blank when the cemetery records were copied. James William "Red" Reeves married Bea born 2-23-1987 He was born 10-21-1915 She was born 2-23-1987 Willie Reeves married 10-4-1914 to Lois Lee Reeves He was born 7-14-1897 & died 6-9-1977 She was born 3-3-1897 and died 3-8-1967 Our Souls Wait To Join You There is an unmarked grave in this area for the infant child of Mr. & Mrs. Willie Hogue. Mary Van Ray 3-12-1892 12-1-1977 There is an unmarked grave in this area for the infant of Dewey Smith. All graves face East. Isiah 41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the East, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him and made him rule over kings? He gave them as dust to his sword, as stubble to his bow. Chester E. Alexander 4-6-1917 4-1-1976 Near this area in 1969 there was a tomb that read "Mama" This was the Mother in law of Tom Ray by his second wife. Amanda Paige Cullins 7-6-1977 7-6-1977 Daughter of Bill & Reatha Cullins George Elmer Spencer 10-11-1903 8-12-1981 Uva Elliott Spencer 12-13-1912 4-27-1985 Children: Yvonne, Tea and Mary Anderson Mayor and Eldridge Spencer (Compiler's note: George Elmer Spencer first married Alice Gresham and they were the parents of Mayor & Eldridge. Uva Elliott first married Elmer Anderson and the three girls were born of that union.) Herman Edward Ray 6-9-1958 10-3-1976 Eugene Sharp married 10-11-1938 to Lorena Ray 9-6-1916 5-12-1977 She was born 9-15-1919. Near the grave of Rexon is an unmarked grave for the infant child of John T. Barham. There is an unmarked grave for the infant child of John T. Barham here. There is an unmarked grave for the Smith infant. There is an unmarked grave for the Mother of William L. Smith John Richard Rexon (Photograph on his grave) 18 Dec. 1946 4 Jan. 1963 Your Memory Is Dear To Us Rosa Ella Ray married 7-1-1909 to Adolphus Z. Ray 1-2-1892 12-5-1975 He was born 1-28-1893 and died 7-19-1976 John Robert Rea 9-21-1853 2-22-1925 His death certificate read: Dropped dead buried next to his wife Lucinda Fitts Rea John Andrew Ray 5-2-1898 12-12-1958 James W. "Jim" Green married Eunice Ray 11-19-1905 and died 3-13-1985 She was born 9-13-1910 James D. Green 8-5-1934 11-9-1969 Wiley Talmadge Bagwell 12-28-1917 11-26-1978 WWII 5 USS Louceen Bagwell 12-6-1918 12-27-1925 For many years a toy gun lay on his graves. Mattie Lou Anderson Bagwell married 1-17-1915 to Latress Cleva Bagwell She was born 8-4-1894 and died 1-31-1937 Her original tomb read "She was the sunshine of our home." It was replaced when Latress Cleva Bagwell born 10-21-1891 died 1 Sept. 1986. F. D. "Buster" Bagwell 10-31-1931 7-29-1970 There is a memorial marker for Joe Bagwell 1922-1997. His ashes were scattered between Joe's pond and the old Bagwell homeplace in the Evergreen Community. Among the creeks and hills of Evergreen was where he wanted to be. Birds will sing in harmony in this special place where Joe will rest. He was born the third son of Mr. & Mrs. L.C. Bagwell on the 25th day of June, 1922 and departed this life on the 24th day of May, 1997. Joe was a man who had a special relationship with this lovely hallowed earth in a community called Evergreen. On Row 7 next to ther Evergreen Baptist Church you will find four unmarked graves for the Brooks children. Directly behind the Brooks children on Row 8 are unnmarked graves for the children of Pally Gresham & A. C. Hamm Elmo Hamm Lillian Ham died 4 Dec. 1903 Acie "Asa" Hamm died 4 Dec. 1903 Stella Hamm J. Henry Smith married 12-22-1916 to Brucie H. Smith He was born 11-20-1897 and died 10-6-1977 She was born 11-27-1901 and died 9-16-1986 Artie Green Jinks (Papa) Married 8-12-197 to Lonie Pearl Smith He was born 2-10-1899 and died 8-14-1972 She was born 7-6-1900 and died 1-17-1975 Viola Wiltcher Smith 1-8-1879 7-11-1939 William L. Smith 1-7-1877 5-7-1937 There are two unmarked graves (Bricks) Thesalonians 4-16: For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Mrs. Jordan, Mother of Nadie Ray - unmarked grave Nadie A. Ray married J.T. Ray She was born 5-8-1979 and died 12-12-1936 Joel Thomas Ray 8-9-1861 11-30-1975 H. R. Gaskin Married 2-25-1932 Essie Anderson Gaskin 11-1-1913 He died a few years ago in an automobile accident. She was born 6-6-1915 and died 2-19-1985. Son: Edwin Gaskin Mittie Nancy Rea Anderson married 8 Oct. 1893 to Wiley Anderson Dec. 13, 1876 died 1971 age 94 years He was born 4 Feb. 1902 and died 25 May, 1944. He lived in Ward 4 of Union Parish his entire life. Mary Anderson June 16, 1902 November 24, 1922 Infant of Wiley & Mittie Rea Anderson born & died 10 Jan. 1897. This is the oldest grave in the cemetery. Elmer A. Anderson 4-17-1910 10-1-1940 Pylant infant of Merlie "Tea" Anderson & Herbert Pylant Somewhere near this area are unmarked graves for the Taylor twins. There is an unmarked grave for the infant baby of Jack Hattiway. Estelle Shaver is buried near here in an unmarked grave. Child of Will Shaver and Clyde Glass Shaver. There is a large Cofield headstone for: Selma Jinks Cofield born 6-7-1922 Buford Edward Cofield born 2-13-1983. Matthews 24:27; For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the son of man be. Webster Hubert Reeves married 9-5-1947 Yvonne Anderson Reeves He was born 11-1-1922 and died 7-10-1983 She was born 8-4-1929 and is still a resident of Evergreen at this writing. Children: Sons, Mike, Donnie & Ken Derek Ryan Reeves 5-8-1973 5-18-1973 (?) Children: Dennis, Teresa Reeves Homer Curtis Reeves Daddy 15day of __1957 9-18-1985 Waymon M. Glass md. 9-19-1946 to Violet Reeves Glass He was born 1-10-1926 & died 1-8-1979 She was born 12-6-1927 Gladys Glass Shaver 5-14-1983 died 3-14-1967 George William Glass (Daddy) born 2-17-1882 and died 5-26-1958 James S. Glass born 4-8-1868 and died 7-29-1953 Leamon F. Glass born 1-5-1873 and died 8-22-1900 Liller U. Ray 30 Oct. 1895 21 Jun. 1899 Daughter of W.T. & Ada Ray Ada V. Martin Ray 2-4-1877 11-26-1952 William T. Ray 5-3-1893 12-15-1932 James Rowland Martin son of C & E Martin (No information) Milton Cole son of Mr. & Mrs. Nate Cole 10-27-1910 5-29-1913 Lavelle "Red" Anderson 5-22-1922 1-24-1984 Levy Anderson born 10-17-1895 and died 12-3-1894 Mary C. Anderson born 11-25-1897 and died 8-29-1988 Birdie May Martin Ray born 1900 and died 1921 Henry Ray born 1896 and died 1963 Gilbert infant daughter of J.W. & Ida E. Gilbert Velma Gilbert daughter of J.W. & Ida Gilbert 3-23-1908 and died 7-17-1911 Vera Gilbert dau. of J.W. & Ida Gilbert 8-10-1913 and died 9-7-1916 Lillie Gresham Rea Married Wesley Rea 10-17-1915 She was born 10-2-1895 and died 1-23-1947 He was born 10-28-1896 and died 4-27-1932 There is an unmarked grave for William "Bill" Jones Melinda Johnson Rea, the second wife of T.H. Rea is buried at his feet. She pre-deceased him. She died after 1901 and before 1914. For many years a railroad spike marked her grave. There is an unmarked grave near her. Possible child of Jim Rea. ? There is an unmarked grave for Lump Fomby. Unmarked grave for Taylor or Rea. Laura "Lava" Jones 12-14-1913 10-21-1917 age 3 yrs.s 10 mo. and 7 days W. P. McDaniel Co. H. 29 Ala. Inf CSA No dates Rezen R. Rea married Ella M. Rea 4-3-1875 9-27-1965 She was born 10-10-1875 and died 5-4-1951 Leslie Rea 9-22-1900 7-9-1903 Age 2 years, 7 months and 17 days Son of Rezen and Ella Rea. William "Bill" Ray 4-4-1855 5-4-1949 Unmarked grave for Thee Ray, son of Wm. & Nancy Ray. Unmarked grave for Infant child of Annie Ray Wilson & Gentry Wilson. Unmarked grave for baby boy of William and Nancy Ray. Unmarked grave for child of William P. and Annie Ray. Nancy McDaniel Rea 6-16-1850 4-6-1935 William P. Ray 1880-1957 Son of Bill & Nancy Rea Annie Rea 1882-1966 H. L. Rea 3-28-1894 9-18-1894 Son of H.C. and Emma Rea Unmarked Ray grave for the son of Am. P & Annie Ray Unmarked Ray grave Unmarked Ray grave There is an unmarked grave for Annie Ray and Gentry Wilson. Three children without markers were James Franklin Ray born 11 Nov. 1901 died 19 Mar. 1906 Twins are buried at his feet: Roy B & Joe Hennery Ray Children of Wm. Ray The older Will McDaniel is buried here in an unmarked grave. The infant child of Jim and Isabella Rea are buried in an unmarked grave. Infant son of Sam & Dottie Wiltcher 11-1-1930 Theophholiust H. Rea married Margaret Edwards Rea 4-7-1827 10-14-1914 Co. C. 18th. Ala. Inf. CSA She was born in 1836 (A daughter of John Edwards) and died 7-2-1901. Robert Parker Rea 11-8-1901 11-15-1901 son of R. L. Rea Hattie Rea 2-4-1903 2-9-1907 Dau. of R. L. Rea Mary Martin Rea kmarried Robert L. Rea She was born 8-21-1871 and died 7-15-1949 He was born 11-28-1870 and died 2-26-1963. Unmarked grave for Boggs infant Unmarked grave for Gladys McDaniel born Jan. 8, 1899 and died 7 Feb. 1899 daughter of Eudella Thomas and Will McDaniel Unmarked grave for Miss Dee McDaniel Unmarked grave for Liller McDaniel Unmarked grave for Lona or Lonnie McDaniel There are two unmarked graves for for John Huey and Zilphia McDaniel Huey. William Franklin Huey died young. Dorothy Grace Huey also died young. Austin infant Child of Agie and Laura Austin died 1929 Laura D. McDaniel Austin 6-6-1904 9-11-1929 Agie Austin 9-18-1905 10-4-1967 Brandon S. Edwards 1975-1975 Eula Lee Shaw Austin March 1881 2-5-1936 David Austin 7-18-1871 4-18-1905 David Austin, Jr. 7-18-1904 Mary Jo Fuller died 2-5-1924 Gradie Austin Fuller 8-4-1909 5-13-1924 Boggs infant Ezzie Austin 9-23-1909 1933 Barham, Ida Gray, wife of W.H.H. Barham 1866-1908 Barham, W.H.H. (Co. B 10th. Ga. Cav. Csa - no dates) Clem C. Barham 1867-1936 Lula T. Barham 1871-19__ William Thornton "Bill" Gresham Born in Wilkes County, Ga. 1822 Died 14 December 1914 His obit read that he was a son of Jane Dozier & William Gresham. Ben Feazel 1861-1927 He was a son of Flora Henderson & Lewis Feazel. He was also the brother of Mrs. M. A. Gresham Bessie McDaniel 7-25-1898 9-5-1969 Willie H. McDaniel married Missouri A. Hennigan 2-8-1867 and died 4-4-1948 She was born 5-14-1873 and died 8-11-1946. Audria Ray 1-6-1912 7-23-1912 Floyd Russell Huey 7-19-1937 11-8-1975 B.R. Green age 6 yrs. 9-17-1985 Brady Austin married Gordie Hayes Austin born 1-1-1912 He was born 6-25-1915 and died 5-26-1990 Children: James, Faye and Edward Johnnie Franklin McDaniel 8-28-1902 5-12-1981 John Henry Huey married Zilphia McDaniel Huey He was born 7-3-1902 and died 11-13-1981 She was born 2-23-1909 and died 12-18-1989 John Vaughn Worthy 1-13-1907 7-8-1971

The War Years In 1942 most of the boys in America were marching off to war. They were not very old when their names were found on the honor roll. The country was full of pride and our souls were filled with hope and joy. By 1943, Americans were buying war bonds and stamps. Some were contributing to the Red Cross fund. During the war my Dad planted a Victory garden. My Mother was busy writing letters to her brothers who had been called to service. Two had joined the army while another joined the marines. My Dad's nephew had joined the navy. His Mother had died during the war. When he was discharged he lived with us for a while. My Mother felt the best way to cheer the soldiers up would be mail from home. Everyone answered to our country's call. Many of the soldiers lost their life and did not return home. I am pleased to report that all three Uncles and my Dad's nephew did return home when the war was over. The country and President Roosevelt was proud of the willingness and hope of not only the men in service but all the citizens who pledged their full organized effort in doing their part. We were a country united. Patriotism was felt everywhere. I will always remember the slogan "V" For Victory. Do any of you remember the war years? If so, I would enjoy reading your memories.

At the writing of the church history in 1969 the officers of the church were: Church Clerk................Mrs. Laverne Reeves Treasurer.....................Mrs. Jewel Reeves Moore Sunday School Supt.....Mrs. Florence Simpson Teachers: Lydia Moore.................Adult class Nettie Lee Reeves........Young People's class Yvonne Reeves.............Junion Class Past clerks of the last two buildings were: Newt Cole Marshall L. Moore Hubert Reeves Willie Reeves Violet Reeves Burke Moore Fred Moore Yvonne Anderson Reeves Sedral Wortham Nettie Lee Reeves In 1969 while researching the Evergreen Baptist Church history this letter was mailed to me for publication by Barbara Moore Boddie. Route 1, Box 134 Farmerville, La. November 4, 1969 Dear Reader: From the time I can remember, Brother Gray Nolan was and has been the pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church. As a child, I could not grasp the meaning of "you must be quiet, the preacher is preaching." Mother always prepared special things to eat when it was our time for the preacher to eat with us. We had to remember our manners, especially then. As I grew older, and with the teaching of my Sunday School teacher and guidance from the parents of my friends as well as the direction of my parents we all learned why and the importance of the preacher's sermon. We did not have the use of cars to go to movie's or ball games. There were no television sets. The church provided our entertainment. Also, our lives centered around our church. We could hardly wait to go again. As I reached maturity, I listened to those sermons and read my bible and learned about salvation and what it meant to be a Christian. During one of the revival meetings, and after one of Brother Nolan's sermons, I was saved and he baptized me on the 25th day of August, 1944. It was through his teaching from the bible and his heart, plus the example he practiced that so many more have made professions of faith throughout the years. He has conducted funerals, performed weddings, visited the sick and shut-ends and those who seemed unconcerned about their own soul or of the Lord. He has served and is serving Evergreen Baptist Church and the community as their pastor well. It is so good to come back for homecomings and see everyone again, and especially to hear Brother Nolan preach after so many years. It is such a blessing to still have him with us. If I could take this feeling with me when I leave Evergreen Baptist Church, I could do no wrong again for the rest of my life. It stirs my heart so. May God bless Brother Nolan and Evergreen Baptist Church as he continues his work. Barbara Moore Boddie Compiler's note: Brother Gray Nolan is now deceased but his memory lives on for those of us with Evergreen roots.