BUNCHES CHAPEL

            Bunches Chapel Cemetery is a very old cemetery in the Busselltown community of Decatur County. The earliest death date recorded on a carved marker is 1827. Bunches Chapel is the unnamed cemetery indicated on Goodin Branch on the U.S.G.S. Jeanette quadrangle (1986). At some point in the past concrete slabs were erected to mark burials without other identifying markers. There are close to 100 of these. About 30 other graves are marked with small concrete blacks flush to the ground, with fieldstones (eight survive), or by some other method. David Donahue recorded this cemetery November 29, 1996, and checked and updated it March 28, 2002.

          An earlier record of this cemetery was made by Margarett Alexander, Blanche Tuten, and Beth Jones on October 22, 1977. Their record appears in Decatur County, Tennessee Cemetery Records published by the Captain Nathaniel A. Wesson Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Parsons, Tennessee, 1984, pp. 85-90. They noted "at least 94 unmarked graves." This is referred to as the UDC transcription in notes below.

 

Abstom, Infant, d. May 24, 1893, "Infant dau. of G. F. & V. E. Abstom"

Arnold, Dora, June 29, 1853-Oct. 24, 1904, "Wife of E. E. Arnold"

Barton, Mary Ida, Dec. 13, 1899-Dec. 13, 1899 [replacement]

Bateman, Richard M., Sept. 7, 1838-Jan. 26, 1913
Bateman, Martha Dean, Sept. 4, 1840-Oct. 12, 1897, "His Wife"
Bateman, Valera A., Mar. 10, 1876-Sept. 28, 1879, "Their daut."

Bateman, Valera A., Mar. 10, 1876-Sept. 28, 1879, "Dau. of R. M. & M. M. Bateman"

Bates, Alton B., d. Sept. 1, 1908, "Aged 2 Ys 11 Ms 2 Ds"

Bates, Audry [see Harder, Audry Bates]

Bates, Charlie, Sept. 30, 1893-Mar. 29, 1904, "Son of S. L. & M. E. Bates"

Bates, Clifford R., 1919-1994

Bates, Dona, Aug. 12, 1868-Feb. 1, 1938

Bates, Dora Belle, Mar. 8, 1874-Aug. 19, 1887, "Dau. of R. L. & Liza Ann Bates"

Bates, Emmie L., Jan. 22, 1901-Aug. 3, 1982
Bates, Grover E., June 29, 1899-Dec. 1, 1959, "Wed Oct. 27, 1917"

Bates, G. P., Feb. 9, 1868-Oct. 7, 1950

Bates, Lon, 1872-1937
Bates, Margaret, 1871-1945

Bates, Mary A., July 4, 1856-July 4, 1894, "Wife of S. T. Bates" [note: in Rhoades row and matches Rhoades markers]

Bates, Mayon B., Jan. 12, 1931-Sept. 11, 1985

Bates, Mogen, d. Aug. 20, 1906. "Aged 12 Ys, 3 Ms, 29 Ds" "Dau. of G. P. & Dona Bates" (eroded)

Bates, R. L., Aug. 28, 1842-Dec. 9, 1909
Bates, Eliza A., Feb. 5, 1847-Dec. 31, 1899, "Wife of R. L. Bates" (fallen)

Bates, Roney H., Aug. 1, 1891-Feb. 17, 1969 [Masonic symbol]
Bates, Addie Teague, Feb. 8, 1896-Apr. 17, 1996

Bates, Ruben L., Aug. 28, 1842-Dec. 9, 1909, military marker "Co k 42 Regt Tenn Inf CSA"

Bates, S. T., Jan. 19, 1841-Apr. 2, 1910; also military marker "Samuel T. Bates" "Pvt Co K 42 Regt Tenn Inf Confederate States Army"

Bates, W. May [see Churchwell, W. May Bates]

Bates, Woodrow W., Mar. 4, 1913-Jan. 13, 2000 [Masonic symbol]
Bates, L. Ann Ledbetter, Sept. 19, 1918-____ [Eastern Star symbol], "Wed Sept. 19, 1933" "Our children: Hobert and Ruth Ann"

Blount, Ila J., d. Mar. 2, 1918, "Aged 5 Ys. 7 Ms. 1 Da." "Dau. of J. C. & B. L. Blount"

Blout, Bertha L., d. Mar. 6, 1916, "Aged 32 Ys. 3 Ms. 2 Ds." "Wife of John C. Blont"

Burton, Alatha Johnston, 1802-1878 [replacement]

Burton, Albert Sidney, 1896-1955, "Father" footstone

Burton, Althea C., Mar. 17, 1902-May 13, 1905, "Dau. of S. S. & Mary Burton"

Burton, Carl Thomas, July 13, 1911-Sept. 29, 1911, "Son of Mr. & Mrs. T. E. Burton"

Burton, Charlie E. (Jake), Oct. 30, 1904-May 29, 1964

Burton, Eleazer, 1793-1854, "Born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia" [replacement]

Burton, Flossie, Nov. 3, 1893-Sept. 17, 1898, "Dau. of S. S. & M. E. Burton"

Burton, Hettie, d. Feb. 22, 1916, "Aged 55 Ys, 1 Mo, 21 Ds" "Wife of W. C, Burton"

Burton, J. J., Aug. 23, 1875-Apr. 1, 1912, "Father" footstone
Burton, Frances, Sept. 15, 1877-July 22, 1958

Burton, Jerome S., Feb. 13, 1841-Mar. 13, 1879, military marker "Pvt Co E 27 Tenn Inf Confederate States Army"

Burton, Leacy A., July 4, 1895-Sept. 29, 1942, "Mother" footstone
Burton, Thomas E., Sept. 27, 1871-June 30, 1966, "Father" footstone

Burton, Mabel Lee, Sept. 8, 1916-Sept. 17, 1916, "Dau. of Sid & Lena Burton"

Burton, Marjorie [see Greenway, Marjorie Burton]

Burton, Mary S., 1891-1966, "Mother" footstone
Burton, Sam J., 1886-1957, "Father" footstone

Burton, Mary, June 18, 1858-Nov. 1900
Burton, S. S., Sr., May 12, 1846-Mar. 6, 1916

Burton, Ola Mae [see Willis, Ola Mae Burton]

Burton, Peter P., 1841-1863, military marker "Cpl Co E 27 Regt Tenn Inf Confederate States Army"

Burton, Sewell B., Sept. 17, 1899-Jan. 3, 1994 , "Mother" footstone
Burton, Cuthbert A., Oct. 24, 1895-Jan. 26, 1962

Burton, Cuthbert Arnold II (C.A.Burton, Jr.), July 19, 1923-Feb. 13, 1997
Burton, Lucille White, Jan. 9, 1926-Feb. 12, 2003

[Dec. 28, 2008 - Updated burial record provided for Sewell B. Burton, C. A. Burton II, and Lucille Burton.]

Burton, Thomas P., 1843-1864, military marker "Cpl Co E 27 Regt Tenn Inf Confederate States Army" [Paul D. Moore says that Thomas P. Burton died in a prisoner of war camp and is buried in Illinois]

Burton, W. P., May 26, 1883-Sept. 7, 1902
Burton, W. C., May 12, 1846-Oct. 1, 1902

Bussell, Elizabeth [see Pearcy, Elizabeth Bussell]

Bussell, John, June 21, 1857-June 22, 1926 [replacement]

Bussell, Judah, Oct. 9, 1907-Mar. 8, 1888, "Wife of Wm. Bussell"

Bussell, Key, June 13, 1885-Apr. 3, 1946

Bussell, Malinda, Aug. 4, 1836-Nov. 8, 1879

Bussell, Mary J., d. Feb. 15, 1916, "Aged 58 Ys 11 Ms 28 Ds" "Wife of John Bussell"

Bussell, Nolan, Feb. 16, 1907-Mar. 1, 1907, "Son of B. O. & Massie Bussell"

Bussell, Samuel, May 4, 1839-Dec. 9, 1908

Bussell, Sarah, Apr. 9, 1848-Sept. 14, 1922 [adjacent to marker for Samuel Bussell]

Churchwell, Henry, Oct. 2, 1878-Mar. 14, 1925, "Husband of M. Churchwell"

Churchwell, Paul W., born & died June 25, 1941 (homemade)

Churchwell, W. May Bates, Feb. 19, 1916-Nov. 15, 1982
Churchwell, J. Lester, May 4, 1910-Sept. 27, 1988

Collins, Bettie, d. Jan. 21, 1896, "Aged 19 Ys, 3 Ms, 25 Ds" "Wife of E. Collins"

Conder, R. Mada, Oct. 20, 1890-Feb. 11, 1987, "Dau. of W. M. & M. J. Conder"

Crowder, Donnie Inez, Sept. 22, 1897-Mar. 21, 1902

Crowder, J. A., 1828-1908 (homemade)

Crowder, John T., 1859-1939, "Father" footstone
Crowder, Carrie Lewis, 1869-1902, "Mother' footstone

Crowder, Serena, 1829-1894 (homemade)

DeLong, Cecil D., Apr. 7, 1899-Jan. 23, 1943

Elvington, Allan, military marker, "Co. E. 6 Tenn Cav.; information added to military marker at a leter date: "9 10, 1844-Oct. 24, 1910, "Husband of Maybelle Elvington" (eroded)

Goodin, Mittie B., 1893-1900 [replacement] (artificial granite; disintegrating)

Goodin, Perry, 1846-1896 [replacement] (artificial granite; disintegrating)

Gray, Roy M., Sept. 17, 1901-June 26, 1978 [Masonic symbol]
Gray, Elva B., Aug. 1, 1901-Mar. 5, 1979

Greenway, Leacy [see Taylor, Leacy Greenway]

Greenway, Marjorie Burton, Nov. 15, 1919-Feb. 1, 1982, "Meg" footstone
Greenway, Henry, Sept. 18, 1919-____

Harder, Audry Bates, 1905-1948

Hill, Arra, d. Feb. 13, 1894, "aged 21 yrs 12 days" "Wife of J. M. Hill" "Married May 25, 1894" (fallen)

Hill, Chester Melton, 1896-1915 (homemade)

Horner, Noah, d. Aug. 7, 1916, "aged 36 yrs 7 mos 21 days" "Husband of Stella Horner"

Houston, Emery L., Apr. 7, 1885-Oct. 9, 1885, "Son of S. L. & L. C. Houston"

Houston, Kate, 1856-1889

Jackson, Will L., Mar. 27, 1884-____, "Father" footstone [he seems to be buried here]
Jackson, Edna Earls, Feb. 21, 1887-May 14, 1952, "Mother" footstone

Johnston, Alatha [see Bussell, Alatha Johnston]

Ledbetter, L. Ann [see Bates, L. Ann Ledbetter]

Lee, Fred P., May 2, 1894-Oct. 23, 1971

Lewis, Carrie [see Crowder, Carrie Lewis]

Lewis, Peggy A., Aug. 1, 1823-Aug. 6, 1827, "Daughter of Andrew M. & Sidney U. Lewis"

Lunsford, Betsy E., d. Apr. 28, 1913, "Aged 83 ys"

Lunsford, M. D., Jan. 27, 1889-Sept. 18, 1897 (broken, eroded) [identifiable but too damaged and eroded to read; information from UDC trnscription; adjacent to and north of marker for Manuel Lunsford]

Lunsford, Manuel, d. Apr. 7, 1900, "Aged 7 Ms. 13 Ds." "Son of G. W. & S. E. Lunsford"

Lunsford, Z. C., d. June 30, 1900, "8 yrs 9 mos 2 days" [identifiable but not readable in 2002; 2nd marker north of marker for Manuel Lunsford; information from UDC transcription]

Monroe, Mildred, Jan. 22, 1928-____, unplaced "Wife" footstone [buried early 2002]
Monroe, Billy J., May 10, 1925-Oct. 26, 1988, "Wed Nov. 16, 1946," military marker as footstone "Sgt US Army World War II"

Monroe, Nella, 1927-____, unplaced "Wife" footstone
Monroe, Tom, 1927-1953'

Pearcy, Ben Hooper, Oct. 10, 1919-Sept. 21, 1969, "Father" footstone, "Husband" footstone [Masonic symbol]

Pearcy, Elizabeth Bussell, Aug. 12, 1871-May 2, 1950, "Wife of M. D. L. Pearcy"

Pearcy, Gaston H., June 14, 1908-Apr. 13, 1974

Pearcy, Gracie E., d. Sept. 5, 1896, "Age 1 Yr. 10 Ms. & 5 Ds." "Dau of M. D. L. & L. J. Pearcy"
Pearcy, Jimmie P., d. Sept. 6, 1898, "Age 1 Yr. 7 Ms. & 17 Ds., "Son of M. D. L. & L. J. Pearcy"

Pearcy, M. D. L., Apr. 9, 1861-Sept. 21, 1912 [Masonic symbol]

Pearcy, Samuel G., Mar. 6, 1903-Oct. 6, 1903, "Son of M. D. L. & L. J. Pearcy"

Pearcy, Thomas H., Jan. 2, 1906-June 1, 1963

Pearcy, Viola M., May 6, 1898-May 6, 1915 [replacement]

Rains, Bonnie Z., July 9, 1894-Feb. 3, 1919, "Wife of L. E. Rains"

Rhoades, Arabell, Sept. 24, 1884-May 27, 1890, "Dau. of W. M. & M. E. Rhoades"

Rhoades, Deltie, June 29, 1908-Nov. 29, 1909, "Dau. of C. A. & Ader Rhoades"

Rhoades, Infant, Jan. 10, 1901, "Infant son of J. R. & L. V. Rhoades" (fallen)

Rhoades, Infant, May 3, 1902, "Infant son of J. R. & L. V. Rhoades"

Rhoades, Lemuel, Aug. 30, 1888-Sept. 9, 1888, "Son of W. M. & M. E. Rhoades"

Rhoades, M. M., Sept. 27, 1891-May 18, 1896, "Dau. of W. M. & M. E. Rhoades"

Rhoades, Willie, born & died Oct. 16, 1897, "Son of W. M. & M. E. Rhoades"

Rhoades, Zethra Ila, Aug. 25, 1908-Apr. 2, 1910, "Dau. of John T. & Genie Rhoades"

Stanfill, Minnie Lee, Dec. 9, 1892-Mar. 17, 1978 [there is a double marker for her, with husband Arlie Stanfill, at Sardis Cemetery in Henderson County]

Surratt, Bell, Feb. 14, 1864-Nov. 19, 1911, "Mrs."

Taylor, Leacy Greenway, Aug. 20, 1951-Feb. 16, 1989

Watson, Infant, Feb. 5, 1904-Mar. 14, 1904, "Infant son of L. B. & M. J. Watson"

Watson, Maud J., Mar. 29, 1882-May 14, 1899, "Dau. of J. N. & S. L. Watson"

Watson, Rush Weldon, Jan. 14, 1901-Mar. 26, 1901, "Son of L. B. & M. J. Watson"

Watson, Sarah E., June 4, 1864-Aug. 10, 1902, "Wife of J. N. Watson"

Willis, Ola Mae Burton, July 19, 1914-Jan. 13, 1988

 

Other People Known to be Buried Here

Information provided by Paul D. Moore:
Hollowell, Becky Jane, the first burial he attended here
Rhoades, George and his wife
Slaves, the seven southern-most concrete slabs, lowest burials on the hill and near the cemetery gate (when there was a fence)

 

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