TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS FROM BLACK CEMETERIES IN MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, compiled by Jonathan K. T. Smith

COPYRIGHT, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995

Special thanks go to Jonathan K. T. Smith for his work to preserve and share this information about black cemeteries in Madison County and for giving permission to convert this work to web pages.

BERRY ZION CEMETERY

            Located about 12½ miles east of Jackson, Tennessee, off U. S. Highway 412-E. Many unmarked graves, numerous funeral home markers illegible.

 

Page 139

East of Cemetery Driveway

 

R. D. RODGERS, Tennessee PFC 923 AAF AB SCTY BN, June 10, 1922-Aug. 2, 1952

VERA N. SHARP, Oct. 5, 1905-Feb. 15, 1985

WALTER SHARP, U.S. Army, World War II, Oct. 29, 1890-May 13, 1976

ARVIE DAY, S1, US Navy, World War II, Mar. 18, 1925-Mar. 10, 1974

LUTHER DAY, Tennessee PVT US Army, World War I, March 5, 1897-June. 9, 1989

CONNIE WILLIS, 1881-1959, At Rest

ANNIE PEARL WILLIAMS CORBITT, July 21, 1927-Aug. 25, 1981

C. W. MAY, Died ___28, 1973(?), Aged 85

BERNERT WATSON, 1904-1925, Stephenson Funeral Home Marker

MARSHALL P. COX, Tennessee PVT, 802 Pioneer Inf. World War I, Feb. 2, 1898-May 21, 1949

MARY E. SISTRUNK, 1909-1943, Stephenson Funeral Home Marker, Jackson

JAMES CURTIS WARD, III, Mar. 28, 1979-Mar. 30, 1979

Double tombstone: REACIE M. RODGERS, Feb. 14, 1890-Nov. 10, 1960, In Loving Memory\DANIEL C. RODGERS, Jan. 1, 1881-Aug. 30, 1966, In Loving Memory

CHARLES EDWARD JORDAN, Dec. 8, 1932-Feb. 5, 1939

MAGGIE HUTCHERSON DAY, July 28, 1898-June 5, 1959, Rest in Peace

Double tombstone: Mrs. NORMA D. FEATHERSTON, Oct. 10, 1907-Mar. 18, 1994\WILLIE MAE D. MASON, May 22, 1909-Dec. 22, 1989

IDA GODWIN, 1885-1970, At Rest

ROBERT L. CORBITT, Tennessee SGT, US Army, World War II, August 12, 1917-February 19, 1971

Mrs. ANNIE MAE BARNETT Died May(?) 28, 1973, a funeral home marker

Mrs. WILLIE ANN WILSON, Died Dec. 4, 1974, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker, Jackson

MAE BELL HAYES GRAHAM, Nov. 6, 1927-Feb. 23, 1944

JOHN J. MAY, Dec. 25, 1870-Mar. 8, 1946

SID WATSON, Born June 10, 1888, Died Aug. 26, 1926, Theus Temple 930, Jackson, Tenn.

DANIEL WATSON, Died May 20, 1913, Weep not, he is at rest.

 

Page 140

South and Southeast Sections of Cemetery

LITTLE J. T., Son of Floyd & Cora PYLES, Born in 1912, Died in 1913, Gone but not forgotten

Double tombstone: ROBERT F. ESTES, Apr. 7, 1873-Mar. 7, 1959\ADA C. ESTES, Oct. 19, 1883-no death date

S. FENNER, Died July 12, 1976, Aged 50, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

ROY HORTON, Illegible funeral home marker

MARGARET MARIE ANDERSON, Died April 17, 1969, Aged 33 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

Double tombstone: ANNIE M. WILLIAMS, March 20, 1909-____\JOHN WILLIAMS, May 5, 1907-Sept. 24, 1977

ELIJAH HAYES, Tennessee PVT US Army, World War II, July 27, 1886-December 19, 1973

WILLIE HOWARD McHANEY, Oct. 9, 1939-Oct. 6, 1963

Mr. HOWARD McHANEY, Died October 1, 1976, Aged 63, Ford Funeral Home Marker, Jackson

EMMETT HAYES, PVT, US Army, World War II, Oct. 27, 1926-Jan. 27, 1978

JOSEPH SWIFT, PVT, 804 Pioneer Inf., World War I, (Died) September 13, 1936

LULA MAE SWIFT PICKENS, Apr. 21, 1919-Dec. 19, 1986

J. C. BRITT, US Army, World War II, Dec. 29, 1916-Feb. 25, 1977

ANNIE RODGERS, Died June 18, 1945, Age 85 Years

EDD ESTES, 1883-1964 (Masonic Emblem)

Mr. JAMES ISAAC HORTON, Died August 26, 1989, Age 42 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

Ms. ALICE JEAN HORTON, Died Oct. 13, 1991, Age 46 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

Mrs. LIZZIE MAE BARNETT, Died Dec. l, 1975, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

MOLLIE, wife of D. RODGERS, Born 1861, Died April 13, 1913, Gone but not forgotten

H. B. MAY, 1843-Dec. 1915, At Rest

BELL McHANEY, Died Apr. 16, 1953

ALBERTA HAYES, Feb. 2, 1903-Jan. 5, 1955

LIZZIE B. SPENCER, June 20, 1918-Mar. 6, 1963

NEWTON WATSON, Nov. 15, 1883-Apr. 25, 1967

DORIS SNIPES, (Died) Feb. 24, 1992, A funeral home marker

CORA MOORE H. WATSON, Aug. 5, 1869-Dec. 22, 1963, Gone but not forgotten

ODIE BLAIR, Illinois, 809 Pioneer Inf. World War I, (Died) September 12, 1941

HERRON tombstone: ROBERTA HERRON, Oct. 10, 1914, Departed this Life Dec. 16, 1961; on east side inscribed:Your Loving Daughter Cora C. Gillard & Family

 

Page 141

H. J KEY, Tennessee PFC 4341 QM SVC Co. World War II, January 8, 1913-January 1, 1954

Mrs. DORA L. TOMLINSON, Apr. 8, 1927-June 15, 1976

SIDNEY WILLIAMS, Mar. 30, 1927-June 23, 1959

TILLIA HUSLEY ESTERS, 1908-1987

ERNEST TATE, A funeral home marker

ARLINE ESTES, Died Mar. 3, 19?, 37 Years, Ford Funeral Home Marker

Double tombstone: RUBY ESTES, June 19, 1894-no death date\YOUNG ESTES, Sept. 7, 1883-Aug. 13, 1958, Gone but not forgotten

WILL TALLY, Mar. 27, 1877-Jan. 11, 1924 (a broken stone)

EVA MAE SWIFT, Feb. 3, 1917-May 11, 1975

IVA BROWN, Oct. 25, 1887-Apr. 5, 1964

Mrs. ANNIE ESTES, Born September ?, ?, Died Feb. 2, 1964, Bledsoe Funeral Home Marker, Jackson

BLANCHE BROWN, Nov. 29, 1892-Aug. 21, 1961

RUFUS WADE FRANKLIN, Tennessee PFC 308 AAF Base Unit World War II, Aug. 9, 1925-Oct. 3, 1950

 

West Section of Cemetery

Double tombstone: SAMPSON WILLIS, Died Apr. 19, 1889\HARRIETT WILLIS, Died Sep. 23, 1906, A loving Father, A Mother Dear Lie Buried Here

SHELBY BLACK, Feb. 13, 1937-Apr. 13, 1937

SYLVESTER NEAL, June 9, 1921-June 24, 1954, In loving Memory

SARAH, wife of Paul PERSON, Died Feb. 4, 1902, Died in full triumph of faith. Sleep on dear Mother.

MIDDLETON F. WILLIS, Born Feb. 23, 1888, Died Mar. 14, 1905, Jesus loves the pure and holy.

We love Our Mother, O. D. WILLIS, Nov. 4, 1902-Aug. 24, 1926

Mr. D. L. SWIFT, 1921-1987, Peoples Funeral Home Marker, Lexington, Tennessee

Double tombstone: CLARA E. BLACK, 1911-____\R. D. BLACK, 1906-1993, His Funeral Home Marker dates: Feb. 12, 1906-April 9, 1993, Bledsoe Funeral Home Marker, Jackson

Double tombstone: EMERSON NEAL, 1881-1967\RAYMEL NEAL, 1889-no death date, In loving Memory

PRENTICE E. WILLIS, Born Mar. 15, 1895, Died Feb. 23, 1914, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

LEROY WILLIS, PFC, US Army, World War II, Apr. 6, 1926-Dec. l, 1991

 

Page 142

* * * * *

Enclosed in concrete border:

SHALLIE B., Dau. of A. H. & M. L. PEARSON, May 28, 1902-Mar. 30, 1920

CLEOFARD, son of Shellie B. PEARSON, Born & Died 1920, Gone to live with Jesus

Footstone inscribed M. W. marks grave

* * * * *

LEROY CURTAIN, Apr. 14, 1959-Mar. 6, 1975

MILTON WILLIS, 1863-1927, Gone but not forgotten

Double tombstone: L. V. CLIFTON, 1901-1983\Helen L. DESARZANT, 1921-no death date

Double tombstone: LEVI WILLIS, 1861-1940\SUSIE WILLIS, 1863-1946

Double tombstone: WILLIAM WILLIS, Nov. 12, 1899-Dec. 2, 1971\GUY EULA WILLIS, Feb. 7, 1902-grave filled but no death date, Together Forever

W. V. SWIFT, Apr. 3, 1911-Feb. 13, 1981, In loving Memory, Katherine

LIZZIE ESTES, June 9, 1872-Aug. 27, 1969, At Rest

Double tombstone: JAMES U. MAYS, Aug. 30, 1900-no death date\MAGGIE W. MAYS, Nov. 28, 1900-Jan. 24, 1969

MABLE JANICE JENKINS, Apr. 29, 1925-Oct. 20, 1956, At Rest

LOUISE BARNETT WILLIAMS, 1985

SARAH E. REID, 1900-1973

Double tombstone: D. L. SWIFT, 1921-1987\LAURA B. SWIFT, 1923-no death date, In God’s Care

Mrs. CANZADIA THOMAS, Died December 10, 1992, Aged 77 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker

DERSIE SANDLIN, 1882-1932

J. D. DONNELL, Mar. 21, 1900-Jan. 19, 1971

Double tombstone: DERSIE L. SANLIN, June 30, 1881-May 3, 1932, Mother\CHARLES W. SANLIN, Aug. 7, 1880-June 24, 1956, Father

GRAICE M. CLARK, Oct. 26, 1923-Sept. 11, 1968

Double tombstone: JOSEPH BEARD, Aug. 7, 1901-Aug. 30, 1977\MAPLE BEARD, Jan. 13, 1902-no death date

DOROTHY MAE SWIFT, May 2, 1931

Double tombstone: HARFORD JORDAN, 1911-Nay 3, 1998\EUNICE JORDAN, 1914-no death date, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker indicates that she died Mar. 13, 1990

EMMA NEAL, 1890-1928, At Rest

ASBERRY WILLIAMS, Mississippi PVT 816 Pioneer Inf., July 7, 1942

ARVIE DAY, May 22, 1915-Oct. 18, 1946

 

Page 143

ELLA DIGGS, wife of C. W., ANDERSON, Born Aug. 17, 1857, Died Apr. 4, 1916, Aged 57 Years 8 Mos. & 17 ds.

Double tombstone: NATHAN DAY, July 14, 1871-no death date\JESSIE DAY, Mar. 7, 1880-June 28, 1935

Double tombstone: ERVIN CATHEY, Nov 9, 1964\KATIE CATHEY, Jan 9, 1962, In Loving Memory

Double tombstone: GENNIE W. BARNETT, Sept. 1, 1916-Dec. 7, 1965\M. LOUISE BARNETT, May 18, 1918-Nov. 30, 1986, In Loving Memory

* * * * *

Concrete enclosure:

MILTON WILLIS, May 26, 1945-June 21, 1984

SAMUEL GARFIELD WILLIS, Michigan, PVT US Army Vietnam, July 4, 1945-March 8, 1972

DENNIS WILLIS, Oct. 4, 1909-Mar. 8, 1972

JAVAN WILLIS, Tennessee PVT, US Army, World War II, June 21, 1910-December 18, 1971

An unmarked grave except for footstone reading "Son."

* * * * *

Double tombstone: KERMIT W. WILLIS, Dec. 12, 1916-(December 27, 1996)\EVA NELL WILLIS, Mar. 11, 1919-Nov. l, 1988

JENNIE, wife of E. C. DAY, Feb. 28, 1869-Apr. 3, 1916

Double tombstone: SAM ANDERSON, Husband, Mar. 25, 1869-no death date\EARMER ANDERSON, Wife, Feb. 6, 1899-Nov. 11, 1945

Double tombstone: JAMES I. DAY, SR., Apr. 22, 1912-Sept. 5, 1983\SALLIE F. DAY, Oct. 31, 1915-no death date

Double tombstone: HATTIE F. BARNETT, 1884-1970\JAMES M. BARNETT, 1868-1939, Love Made Us One

GUY WILLIE DONNELL, SR., Apr. 25, 1896-Mar. 19, 1957

VELMA MAY DONNELL, Apr. 8, 1895-Feb. 2, 1948

Rev. ANDREW ADAMS, Died July 4, 1937, Aged 80 Yrs. 11 mos., A funeral home marker

Double tombstone: SAMMIE WILLIS, Mar. 4, 1871-March 20, 1958\LULA WILLIS, Aug. 4, 1881-May 30, 1972, When They Ring Those Golden Bells

Double tombstone: ESTER ANDERSON, Sept. 13, 1914-Aug. 14, 1939\MARY D. ANDERSON, Dec. 13, 1887-no death date

CARENT WILLIS, no visible dates

SAMMIE C. ESTES, 1883-1939

GROVER C. CLIFTON, PVT US Army, World War I, July 5, 1886-Jan. 5, 1979

 

Death Certificate indicates buried here also:

ALFRED ROGERS, 1847-May 22, 1917. Son of Emanuel Rogers and Mary Rogers.

 

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