BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY

            Bethlehem Baptist Church is located on Maple Springs Road in southwest Madison County about 3 miles east of Mercer, Tennessee on the south side of Maple Springs Road. It is a very large, generally well mown cemetery; however, burials extend into the woods on the west side and into a rough, unmown area in southeast corner. When visited in 2003, about 100 wooden crosses, no names, had been placed on some otherwise unmarked graves. However, this is only a third or so of the total number of unmarked graves here. A couple of dozen more graves are marked with temporary marker plates which have lost their information.

            David Donahue recorded this cemetery on September 12, 2003 based on earlier work by Jonathan K. T. Smith. Mr. Smith's 1995 record for this cemetery appears in his Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries in Madison County, Tennessee and a 2000 update appears in his Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries in Madison County, Tennessee, Volume 2. These works are referred to collectively as Smith in the notes below.

 

Avent, Emma M., d. Jan. 26, 1987, temporary marker, mercer Brothers, 2 feet north of military marker for Johnie Sherman Tyson

Bailey, Susie Ann, July 4, 1904-June 19, 1954 (homemade)

Bailey, Walter L., June 18, 1915-Oct. 16, 1916

Batchelor, Manuel, d. Feb. 20, 1924, "Fuller Circle No. 1288"

Bennet, Amanda, Jan. 20, 1886-June 6, 1887, "Dau of Jordan & Lucy Bennet"

Bennett, Lucy, d. Apr. 8, 1886, Aged About 22 Y'rs, "Wife of Jordan Bennett"

Bond, Candis, 1835-June 1, 1896, "Wife of Sol. Bond"

Bond, John H., (chipped) 1851-(chipped 19, 1918, Age 67, "Husband of Tempey Bond" "A loving husband and father" (disintegrating concrete marker) [dates from Smith]

Bond, Pompey, Jan. 23, 1859-Jan. 23, 1897, "Son of S. & C. Bond"

Bond, Tempey A., Mar. 26. 1868-Mar. 11, 1937

Bonds, Martha, born about 1844-Oct. 29, 1922

Brooks, Early, Sept. 11, 1901-Dec. 24, 1928

Brooks, Ella, Sept. 11, 1900-May 31, 1902, Our Darling Baby

Brooks, Jack, Aug. 15, 1846-Jan. 3, 1926

Brooks, James, Mar. 30, 1871-July 7, 1890, "Son of Jack & Malisa Brooks"

Brooks, M. A., d. Apr. 16, 1888, Aged 45 Y's, "Wife of Jno. Brooks" "Mother"

Brooks, Wm., Nov. 3, 1877-April 5, 1887, "Son of Jno. & Malisa Brooks"

Brown, Eliza Jane Taylor, Oct. 27, 1892-Sept. 4, 1983

Brown, Joanna, May 15, 1844-Dec. 25, 1910 (fallen)

Chism, America, 1856-1896

Chism, Eldridge, June 11, 1894-Aug. 20, 1969, military marker "Tennessee Pvt US Army World War I"

Chism, Susie N., Feb. 20, 1905-Jan. 20, 1958

Chism, Walter C., June 25, 1882-____
Chism, Virda, Feb. 12, 1881-June 2, 1950

Chisum, Louis, 1846-1929

Covington, Dorothy M., July 1930-Aug. 1962 (marker is loose on its base)

Cox, Ruth, Aug. 2, 1911-Dec. 26, 2001

Curry, Ernest Edward, Sr., July 26, 1937-May 21, 1995, temporary marked, Bledsoe Funeral Home, in woods about 6 yards south-southwest of marker for Carolyn Franklin

DeBerry, Mary J. Fuller, Oct. 25, 1910-Nov. 18, 1984 (homemade)

Everlene Johnson Taylor, Died July 27, 1993, Aged 74, Stephenson-Shaw Fun. Home Marker

Eviton, Ada, Mar. 1, 1882-Feb. 25, 1952

Franklin, Akiyla, d. Oct. 31, 1993, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 2 feet north of marker for Joe Ella Tyson

Franklin, Carolyn, no dates

Franklin, Ella Wee, Apr. 26, 1922-Sept. 3, 1999

Franklin, Gilbert, d. Sept. 10, 1916, Age 30

Franklin, Hester, Sept. 27, 1898-Jan. 4, 1899, "Dau. of J. G. & Emma Franklin"

Franklin, Joe L., June 15, 1917-Oct. 23, 1999, military marker "Pvt US Army"

Fuller, Alex Prentiss, Aug. 9, 1903-Dec. 25, 1903

Fuller, Charles Edward, Mar. 21, 1923-Jan. 30, 1973

Fuller, Christopher, Sept. 16, 1962-Aug. 6, 2000

Fuller, Congress, Aug. 15, 1874-Mar. 18, 1960 (homemade)

Fuller, Elmer Lee, Nov. 26, 1906-Dec. 21, 1983

Fuller, Fannie B., Aug. 22, 1902-Oct. 16, 1923, "Dau. of D. J. & Diner Fuller"

Fuller, Fayette, d. Aug. 6, 1878

Fuller, Garfield, May 16, 1920-Apr. 23, 2002, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 4 feet south of marker for Tennie James "Demmie" Hollomon, Jr.

Fuller, Gloria [see Goines, Gloria Fuller]

Fuller, Gracie, d. Apr. 17, 1926, "McCelland Pride Chamber 2991, Halls, Tenn." (fallen)

Fuller, James Sonny, Oct. 5, 1940-Sep. 27, 1984, military marker mounted on homemade marker, "SSg US Army Vietnam"

Fuller, James V., Oct. 21, 1889-Mar. 2, 1962, "Father"
Fuller, Mary H., Jan. 18, 1890-Jan. 9, 1973, "Mother"

Fuller, Jaterrier Johntrell, July 1, 1992-July 1, 1992, temporary marker, Stephenson-Shaw, 8 feet north of military marker for James Sonny Fuller

Fuller, John W., February 17, 1929, military marker "Tennessee Pvt 802 Pioneer Inf"

Fuller, Joseph D., May 9, 1894-Feb. 7, 1979, military marker "US Army World War I"

Fuller, Julia, 1871-1911, "Wife of Jurden Fuller" (fallen)

Fuller, Katie, Oct. 16, 1918-Oct. 16, 1986, "Mother"

Fuller, Mary Ella, 1905-1985 (disintegrating homemade marker)

Fuller, Mary Hannah, Sept. 25, 1910-Oct. 5, 1999
Fuller, Boe Messiah, Apr. 16, 1906-Aug. 27, 1979

Fuller, Mary J. [see DeBerry, Mary J. Fuller]

Fuller, Mattie Mae, Oct. 24, 1929-July 24, 1990

Fuller, Mildred, d. Feb. 14, 1999, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 8 feet south of double marker for Everlene J. and Joseph M. Fuller

Fuller, Needham H., 1880-Nov. 22, 1964

Fuller, Nevada, August 22, 1900-Sept. 7, 1995, "Beloved mother & grandmother"

Fuller, Nina, July 1906-Oct. 1914, "Dau. of S.-M. Fuller"

Fuller, Otis, Nov. 12, 1925-Jan. 20, 1986, military marker "S1 US Navy World War II"

Fuller, Phil "Big Baby," 1889-1982 (homemade)

Fuller, Raymond, d. May 15, 1999, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 12 feet south of double marker for Everlene J. and Joseph M. Fuller

Fuller, T. McKinley, Sept. 5, 1901-Jan. 17, 1972, "Erected by John, Nancy, John Jr., Marsh"

Fuller, Thelma Arnette, May 5, 1933-May 7, 1995, "Mother"

Fuller, Thomas J., 1882-Sept. 24, 1963

Fuller, Thomas N., July 29, 1906-Apr. 25, 1955, "Father"

Fuller, Tipp, 1905-1980 (homemade)

Fuller, William A., 1867-1945, "Rev."

Fuller, William A., Dec. 22, 1907-Sept. 1, 1962, military marker "Pvt 2511 Base Unit AAF World War II"

Fuller, William, Aug. 19, 1850-Dec. 4, 1931

Gatlin, Arbutus, Dec. 20, 1932-Sept. 23, 1958, "Brother" footstone

Gay, Ann, d. Dec. 6, 1875, About 50 Yrs. (broken)

Givens, Antonio Germane, Oct. 22, 1975-Oct. 27, 1975 (homemade)

Givens, Lawson, Sr., Nov. 27, 1927-Sept. 25, 1997, military marker "PFC US Army"

Goines, Gloria Fuller, Dec. 27, 1951-May 10, 1990

Green, Mary Bell, Sept. 21, 1929-June 11, 1974

Greer, Hiawatha, Mrs., d. Aug. 6, 1998, temporary marker, mercer Brothers, 4 feet south of marker for John A Greer

Greer, John A., May 12, 1903-July 16, 1978

Greer, Leola, no dates, Aged 3 y'rs 6 m's 24 Da's, "Dau of R. & J. Greer"

Hendrix, Hattie, d. Feb. 8, 1984, temporary marker, mercer Brothers, 7 feet north of marker for Emma Robinson Pirtle

Hennings, James A., Jan. 7, 1935-Dec. 10, 1962 (homemade)

Hines, nellie [see Toone, Nellie Hines]

Holloman, Ambrose, Feb. 16, 1891-Aug. 14, 1959, "Rev."

Holloman, Ivory, Mr., Jan. 16, 1920-Apr. 6, 1993, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Hollomon, T. J., d. Nov. 17, 1981, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 5 yards north of marker for John A Greer

Hollomon, Tennie James "Demmie," Jr., Aug. 19, 1927-Apr. 16, 2002

Hopgood, Andrew, Mar. 8, 1876-Dec. 31, 1956
Hopgood, Willie F., Sept. 16, 1885-Dec. 6, 1930

Hopgood, Bethel N., Dec. 2, 1871-Oct. 18, 1889, "Son of J. & S. Hopgood"

Hopgood, Cisro B., 1897-1992

Hopgood, Edd, Dec. 16, 1887-July 21, 1957
Hopgood, Lula, Oct. 17, 1881-Aug. 15, 1965

Hopgood, George H., Aug. 24, 1924-Apr. 7, 1984, military marker "PFC US Army World War II"

Hopgood, Herbert, Jan. 24, 1901-Nov. 9, 1983
Hopgood, Dinah F., July 11, 1906-____, unplaced "Mother" footstone

Hopgood, Irene P., Mar. 10, 1898-Nov. 25, 1973

Hopgood, Sarah, Apr. 18, 1854-June 8, 1894, "Wife of J. H. Hopgood" "Married Dec. 8, 1869"

Hunt, Queen Ester I., Oct. 2, 1920-June 19, 1997

Hunter, John W., no dates

Johnson, Everlene [see Taylor, Everlene J.]

Lee, Albert, Mar. 29, 1917-June 8, 1919

Locket, Catherine, Mar. 1836-July 15, 1901, Age 65

Long, Ed, Nov. 10, 1906-Jan. 21, 1972, "father" footstone (homemade)

Long, Eva, Jan. 31, 1897-May 19, 1969, "Mother" footstone (homemade) [adjacent to homemade marker for Ed Long]

Lopez, Matthew L., Aug. 10, 1998-Sept. 11, 1998, temporary marker, Bolivar Funeral Home, 5 feet south of double marker for Everlene J. and Joseph M. Fuller

Love, Albert, Feb. 28, 1882-Apr. 18, 1902 (broken) [Smith read this name as Gilbert Love]

Maholmes, Walter Edward, Sept. 29, 1960-Oct. 19, 1984 [overlooked or not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Martin, Lucy, no dates Aged About 75 Years [in 2003, the age is buried; age was reported by smith who noted "a broken stone"]

McBride, Calvin, d. Nov. 2, 1978, temporary marker, Mercer Funeral Home [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

McBride, Euine, May 12, 1911-Jan. 1, 1991, military marker "Pvt US Army World War II"

McBride, Virgie, d. July 23, 1985, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 2 feet north of marker for Gloria Fuller Goines

McBride, William Wesley, Oct. 5, 1920-Oct. 30, 1990, military marker "US Army World War II Silver Star"

Mercer, Luther, Apr. 22, 1894-Sept. 22, 1963, military marker "Pvt US Army World War I"

Merriweather, Robert, Mar. 4, 1924-Aug. 21, 1986, military marker "US Navy World War II"

Merriweather, W., d. Oct. 21, 1998, temporary marker, 8 feet, 2 graves north of military marker for Lawson Givens, Sr.

Moore, Charlie, May 29, 1931-Jan. 2, 1976 (homemade)

Mosley, Jeffrey I., d. Feb. 4, 1985, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 8 feet north of marker for Annie Mae Theus [name is missing in 2003; was matched by death date and funeral home to 1995 Smith record]

Neely, Estherlene, Oct. 2, 1948-Oct. 25, 1984

Neely, Hazel, Oct. 31, 1929-Mar. 19, 2003
Neely, James L., Oct. 30, 1927-____, carved rings and "Apr. 12, 1945"; On back" "Verdell James Ricky Tony Joe Larry Bobbie Hazel Gerlene George Glenda Linda" "46 grandchildren" "69 great grandchildren"

Neely, Issac, 1905-1965, Gone But Not Forgotten

Northern, Amanda, Feb. 8, 1864-Feb. 22, 1888, "Dau. of J. & P. Northern"

Northern, Buford, July 27, 1865-Mar. 24, 1881, "Son of Joseph and Candis Northern"

Northern, Jack, 1817-Aug. 6, 1888, "Husband of Candis Northern" (broken) [in 2003 the top of this marker was stuck upright in the ground two feet south of the marker's base; dates buried in 2003 and are those reported by Smith in 1995]

Northern, Joel, d. Feb. 24, 1879, Aged 55 Years"

Northern, Polly, d. Sept. 9, 1880, Aged 54 Yrs., "Wife of Jack Northern"

Outlaw, Bernice Rebecca, June 21, 1914-July 9, 1991

Parker, James, d. Oct. 1890, Age 4 Yrs.

Parker, Willie, d. Apr. 7, 1917, Age 26

Patten, Velmer, Dec. 24, 1900-Aug. 22, 1980

Pirtle, Corrie Bell, Aug. 3, 1944-July 16, 1972 (homemade)

Pirtle, Emma Robinson, Apr. 20, 1921-Jan. 23, 1975

Pirtle, James W., d. July 16, 1972, Aged 27, temporary marker, 5 feet south of marker for T. McKinley Fuller

Pirtle, Willie, dates smudged, temporary marker, Rawls Mortuaries [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Roach, Marvin M., 1917-1985, military marker "Tec 4 US Army World War II"

Robinson, Emma [see Pirtle, Emma Robinson]

Robinson, Nannie Sue, Nov. 30, 1898-Dec. 8, 1978, temporary marker, Rawls Mortuaries, 10 feet east-southeast of military marker for Johnie Sherman Tyson

Robinson, William, June 15, 1895-July 23, 1982, temporary marker, Rawls Mortuaries, 12 feet east-southeast of marker for Johnie Sherman Tyson

Roebuck, Shollet, 1847-1926 [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Rooks, Cleo Y., 1967-1969, "Dau." footstone
Rooks, Marvin, 1946-1970, "Father' footstone; also broken military marker lying atop grave, possibly never properly erected, "US Army"; dates on military marker Oct. 2, 1946-Jan. 7, 1970

Rooks, Fleecy, d. Oct 18, 1998, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, approx. 3 yards east of marker for Thomas N. Fuller

Senter, Bobby, Feb. 17, 1881-????, "Son of J. C. & W. C. Senter" (broken; loose out-of-place fragment)

Senter, John C., d. Sept. 21, 1889, Aged 56 Years

Stubbs, Candis, Apr. 15, 1871-Dec. 30, 1898, "Wife of J. D. Stubbs"

Taylor, Eliza Jane [see Brown, Eliza Jane Taylor]

Taylor, Ellen, b. Mar. 16, 1856 (no death date given) [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Taylor, Everlene J., 1919-1993 [in 1995 Smith recorded a temporary marker, Everlene Johnson Taylor, d. July 27, 1993]
Taylor, Joseph M., 1916-1996, "Married Dec. 28, 1936"

Taylor, Gleen, b. Mar. 16, 1856 (no death date)

Taylor, Rosa Lee, Mar. 27, 1916-Aug. 15, 1989

Taylor, Silas, Feb. 10, 1898-Feb. 19, 1965, military marker "Pvt 8 Co Recruit Camp 5 World War I"

Taylor, Terry W., Apr. 8, 1960-Mar. 17, 2001

Theus, Annie Mae, Feb. 24, 1917-June 23, 1971

Theus, Lula, Sept. 4, 1900-July 3, 1987, "Mother"

Toone, Nellie Hines, 1873-1958 (fallen)

Turner, Lottie, d. Nov. 30, 1918, Age 70

Tyson, Joe Ella, Aug. 22, 1946-July 13, 1982

Tyson, Johnie Sherman, 1942-1980, military marker "SSgt US Army"

Ware, Ever Caldwell, d. Apr. 13, 1993, Age 82, temporary marker, Rawls Funeral Home [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]

Watkins, James W., Mar. 23, 1952-July 29, 1973

Watkins, Willie W., Sr., Apr. 2, 1916-Dec. 12, 1955

 

Unidentifiable

C.D. footstone, no corresponding marker, in woods 2 yards southwest of marker for Albert Lee

Eugean,, no dates, "Son of Mitchell & C_-ice ______" (fragment) [found under tree near parking lot east of church]