From Family Findings
Vol. XVIII, No. 2, April 1986, pp. 49-59
Copyright, Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society, 1986
Appears on this web site by permission

ROCKY SPRINGS CEMETERY

(Page 49)

            In August of 1830 in the State of Tennessee, Madison County, Charles Riddle, John Parker and William Hale, who were of the Baptist faith, living near the meeting house, held a conference to become a body and form a church, which four brethren and a slave was received by them into the presbytery formed. It was pronounced an independent Church, under the principles of the Forked Deer Association on the Saturday before the fourth Lords day; these members were as follows: Battle Robertson, William Kindrick, Peter Black, Andrew Massey and a slave, Sopha.

            The meeting house or church was located one and three-quarters miles southeast of the present church near a beautiful spring where crystal clear water bubbled and flowed out over rocks. Because of this spring they decided to name the church Rock Springs!

            Some time later a new church was built on the ground where the cemetery is now located. This land was given by the late James Kendrick. Several years later this old church was removed, and a new frame building was erected across the road on the site of the present church. The new building served the congregation for almost a century, until the construction of the new brick church was completed in 1969.

            On March 2, 1880 James Kendrick died, and at his request was buried about ten feet from where the old church stood. Thus he became the first person to be buried in Rock Springs Cemetery, more than ninety two years ago.

            Others have followed him in death until two hundred and fifty-one are now buried there.

            Mr. Marshall Whittenton, an influential citizen of his time, gave property adjoining that of James Kendrick for the cemetery. Although Mr. Whittenton is not buried at Rocky Springs, many of his descendants are. Mr. & Mrs. Vesta Elkins have also given property to the cemetery, joining that given by Mr. Whittenton, and they have already placed a marker there.

 

(Page 50)

            Today as we look out over the cemetery we see twenty-four American flags over the graves of friends and loved ones, who have represented us in four wars. There are 7 Confederate, 1 Spanish-American, 12 World War I, and 4 World War II veterans.

            History is in Rocky Springs cemetery. We must keep it alive by perpetuating the memory of all our loved ones in their final resting place.

 

[HTML editor's notes: Altered from stacked to linear format for HTML presentation. Presented in Family Findings in columns but entries were typed improperly across columns rather than down; thus within group/row designations, entries below should be considered to be out of order. Recorder(s)/compiler(s) are not identified but would have included someone with much knowledge of the community as many entries are annotated. Most of the maiden names and occupations and much of the relationship information probably do not appear on the markers.]

 

GROUP 1, ROW 1

Woodie Saint, wife of Jimmie Saint, Oct 11, 1877-Jan 20, 1955

Louis Thompson, WW1 veteran, d. Nov 26, 1938

Mattie Lee Thompson, Sept 23, 1892-Nov 19, 1913

Jimmie Saint, Mar 4, 1879-May 21, 1967

Nancy Thompson, Mar. 13, 1855-June 11, 1946, Mother

Bessie Thompson Johnson, Feb 11, 1889-Jan 12, 1916

Charles Johnson (Farmer), 1827-1948 [in the copy of Family Findings in the Jackson-Madison County Library, "1827" has been scratched out and "1887" written above]

James Thompson, Mar 3, 1852-Oct 28, 1928, Father

 

GROUP 2

Omer Crowder, employee of Crowder's Feed Co., Apr 6, 1898-Oct 5, 1962

Sarah Crowder, Joe's 1st wife, d. Jan 11, 1933

Ledie Louise Counts, Sept 7, 1931-July 6, 1932

Joe N. Crowder (Dad of Omer), Oct 30, 1868-May 2, 1944

Emma Crowder, Oct 27, 1875-Aug 7, 1901

Lizzie Browder, Joe's 2nd wife, Nov 10, 1875-Apr 25, 1947

John Counts, May 3, 1906-Mar. 31, 1955

 

GROUP 3

Oscar Dunston, no marker, dates unknown

Sarah Johnson, wife of Henry Clay, no marker, dates unknown

A brother of Oscar Dunston, name and dates unknown

Infant grave, unmarked

Henry Clay Johnson, Confederate Veteran, July 26, 1844-Dec 22, 1932

Sallie Johnson, daughter, no marker

 

(Page 51)

GROUP 4, ROW 4

Norma Elias Johnson, Veteran WWI, Mar 13, 1895-Mar 18, 1949

Stanford Johnson, farmer, 1847-1911

Grave of child, no name

Mattie Williams Johnson, 1st wife of R. Mack, Dec.7, 1884-Feb 25, 1908

Rueben Johnson, farmer, Apr 29, 1859-Apr 29, 1929

Gilbert Lee Johnson, Aug 10, 1894-July 23, 1899

Nathan Terry Johnson, son of Reid, Mar 12, 1939-Mar 12, 1939

Ruben Johnson, July 4, 1884-1962

Mary Green Kirby Johnson, 1857-1926

R. Mack Johnson, farmer, July 25, 1861-June 13, 1938

Jennie Johnson, student, Oct 10, 1897-Oct 21, 1898

Dovie C. Johnson, wife of Rueben, Sept 7, 1870-Mar 29, 1951

George Ervin Johnson, June 6, 1908-July 6, 1908

Mrs. _____ Kirby, Mary Green's mother, unmarked

Fannie Johnson Allison, Mack Johnson's daugh, d. Mar 8, 1965, age 60 yrs

Millie Johnson, 2nd wife of R. Mack, 1865-1930

George Pope Johnson, July 9, 1894-July 12, 1916

Randle Hays Johnson, May 30, 1895-July 25, 1899

Reid Johnson, farmer, son of Ruben, Jan 26, 1903-Mar 18, 1962

 

GROUP 4, ROW 5

Amanda Mills, 1884-1905

James Mills, Mar 26, 1870-July 24, 1949

John Clifford, Nov 15, 1904-Dec 12, 1905

Tennessee Mills, 1830-1913

Maggie Pool, Feb 25, 1899-Jan 12, 1904

Annie Pool, July 16, 1900-Mar 25, 1937

G. W. Mills, 1864-1898

John Pool, July 8, 1861-Dec 23, 1929

Jennie Pool, no dates

 

[No Group 5 listed in Family Findings]

 

(Page 52)

GROUP 6, ROW 5

Willie Cowan, Sept 30, 1881-May 12, 1969

J. J. Pearcy, Jan 12, 1823-Oct 8, 1895

Virginia Pearcy Robinson, 1864-1909

Sophina Passmore Robinson, no marker

Pauline Rabinson, daugh of Robert, Dec 28, 1917-Apr 27, 1954

Billy Edward Robinson, Veteran of WW2, son of Robert, July 9, 1927-Oct 21, 1957

Jimmie Allison Cowan, Feb 8, 1889-Aug 3, 1936, wife of Willie

Nancy Pearcy, 1837-1901

James Harbert Robinson, 1864-1913

John Robinson, no marker

James F. Robinson, Veteran WW2, son of Robert, June 15, 1925-Sept 25, 1954

Brothers killed in auto accident, John killed instantly, Billy died later

Lucy Pearcy Allison, Dec 25, 1866-May 11, 1911, Mother Jimmie Cowan

Elviria Pearcy Harrell, 1862-1909

Thomas Lee Robinson, Veteran WWI died in service, 1866-1919

Robert F. Robinson, farmer, Nov 23, 1871-Feb 2, 1948

John David Robinson, Veteran WW2, son of Robert, Feb 18, 1931-Oct 19, 1957

 

GROUP 7, ROW 6

Felix Phillips, Attorney WW1 Vet, Apr 26, 1892-Aug 26, 1952

Will Dawson Gibbs "Sonk", 1849-1928

Hattie Leoti Cocks Gibbs, June 4, 1867-May 23, 1923

Herbert Tycer, Born in Ala., Married Rebecca Kenderick & later moved to Texas, Apr 2, 1901-July 21, 1971 in Corpus Christi

Pickeron Phillips, Merchant, 1859-1941

Gibbs infant, child of W. D. Gibbs

Martha Kendrick Gibbs, no dates

Samuel Henderson Gibbs, student, Apr 1908-Apr 19, 1925

Rachel Kendrick, dau of A. James & Prudie, ied with flu, 1912-1919

Prudie Kendrick, wife of A. James Kendrick, Dec 16, 1875-Mar 3, 1927

Lou Gibbs Phillips, wife of Pickeron, 1866-1942

Felix Grundy Gibbs, Confederate Vet, no dates

Joe Alexander Gibbs, Teacher-Farmer, Dec 18, 1852-Sept __, 1954

Felix Edward Gibbs, farmer, 1898-1934

Amos James Kendrick, Merchant & Farmer, Spanish American War Veteran, Aug 9, 1857-Nov 26, 1941

 

(Page 53)

GROUP 8, ROW 7

Frank Wood, WWI Veteran, Commissary Dept., Feb 24, 1890-July 30, 1966

 

GROUP 8, ROW 9

Three (3) unmarked graves

Zackery T. Bennett, died June 16, 1913

Lindie N. Bennett, died Nov 26, 1912

Two (2) unmarked graves. Believe 1 grave to be Zack Bennett's nephew, Aug 29, 1902-Feb 22, 1903

 

GROUP 8, ROW 8

Infant child of Ben & Peggy Wood, died Feb 28, 1956

Ben F. Wood, Sr., father of Frank Wood, Mar 30, 1859-Sept 20, 1943

William R. Slate, Jan 28, 1858-Oct 27, 1886

 

[No Group 9 listed in Family Findings]

 

GROUP 10

John Abner Pyles, Mar 5, 1841-June 10, 1910

James Kendrick, Confederate Veteran, 1st to be buried in this cemetery on land originally owned by him through a land grant (he donated the land to Rocky Springs for the church & cemetery), Nov 21, 1821-Mar 2, 1880

Jane Kendrick, Jan 14, 1847-Aug 27, 1924

Fannie Johnson Kendrick, wife of Felix, July 17, 1874-Nov 26, 1962

Nancy H. Kendrick Pyles, wife of John, Mar 8, 1855-Oct 26, 1900

Elizabeth Russell Kendrick, wife of James, July 3, 1830-Oct 10, 1888

George Kendrick, Feb 17, 1857-Apr 18, 1900

Felix Kendrick, May 2, 1874-Apr 16, 1954, Lived on land originally belonging to gr mother who got it thru land grant.

J. Clevie Bain, July 31, 1907-May __, 1963, Mason Lodge #45

Fannie Kendrick Passmore, unmarked

Myrtle Kendrick Fowler, no dates

Infant of Geo. & Hattie Kendrick (Twin to Myrtle), no dates

James Kendrick, Mar 1, 1897-1899

John Kendrick, July 10, 1865-Sept 7, 1907, Owned & operated a saloon Kendrick & Baxter, located on Market St. He later moved to Carlo, Ill.

 

(Page 54)

GROUP 11 ROW 10

Ben Howard Williams, WW1 veteran, June 1, 1895-Jan 14, 1973

Martha Whittenton Williams, mother of Howard, Mar 10, 1862-June 1929

Barney Williams, Jan 6, 1861-Sept 1941

 

GROUP 12

James Leonard Smith, Jan 22, 1919-Apr 20, 1969, Mason

Mary Levina Cocks, (Mollie) wife of John, Jan 9, 1860-May 2, 1936

John Lee Cocks, Aug 12, 1891-Jan 19, 1910

James Walter Cocks, July 25, 1870-1893

Roy Tinkle Bledsoe, WW1 veteran, Apt 12, 1893-Sept 27, 1968

Ollie Bell Cocks Smith, Apr 26, 1896-Aug 17, 1923, teacher

John C. Cocks, (Jack) uncle of John D., Jan 19, 1826-Oct 26, 1901

Cora Bell Cocks, Dec 15, 1873-Oct 11, 1911

John Donald Cocks, Apr 8, 1861-Mar 6, 1938

James E. Cocks, WW1 veteran, Sept 1, 1889-Oct 8, 1918, Odd Fellows

Plummer Cocks, Nov 5, 1859-1886

Samantha Cocks Williams, May 9, 1875-Jan 12, 19__

 

GROUP 13

Four (4) unmarked graves, children of Mr & Mrs. O. L. Wilson

One (1) unmarked grave, child of Mr. & Mrs. George Wimpee

One (1) unmarked grave, child of Mrs. Alice Wimpee

Benjamin D. Wimpee, Dec 1 1866-Oct 27, 1952

Mary Jester Wimpee, May 9, 1833-Apr 29, 1922

Budde Wimpee, died 1934, Infant

Annie E. Brown Wimpee, sister of John Brown, Dec 31, 1875-July 17, 1952

Mark Wimpee, 1903-1953

Gerald Ragan Wimpee, died 1939, Infant

Mark Ragan Wimpee, June 20, 1818-Oct 19, 1895, Father of 32 children

Margaret Inuz Wimpee, June 22, 1925-July 3, 1928

 

(Page 55)

GROUP 14, ROW 13

J. M. Hester, 1874-1942

James Elbert Johnson, Apr 6, 1887-Jan 18, 1920

Rubin Johnson, Nov 15, 1821-May 8, 1889

Ruby Johnson, wife of Willie, Mar 8, 1884-Apr 6, 1942

Mamie Bowman Johnson, June 6, 1896-Dec 4, 1967

L. A. Hendricks, Dec 5, 1856-Nov 28, 1910

Alice Sophina Johnson, Sept 28, 1858-Mar 23, 1936

Buddy Johnson, 1855-1904

Willie Johnson, Nov 11, 1889-____

Ulyesses Strong, 1876-Mar 6, 1971

J. Z. Pope, 1893-1959

Robert M. Johnson, 1892-1902

Merideth Nobles, Sept 5, 1856-Jan 14, 1933

Aruellia Nobles Johnson, 1861-1923

Needham Harbert Johnson, Apr 5, 1894-____

Jennie Strong, 1869-1944

 

GROUP 15, ROW 15

Harris Eugene Scarborough, Nov 16, 1917-Nov 17, 1917

Willie B. Williams, 1855-1933

Ora Williams, Nov 20, 1885-July 17, 1889

Oscar H. Smith, July 16, 1883-June 19, 1963

Harriet Johnson Williams, 1853-1925, Aunt who reared Judge Frank Johnson

Emma Williams Smith, Mar 28, 1882-Oct 24, 1958

 

GROUP 16

T. E. Whittenton, Thadias Rack-nickname, Feb 14, 1850-Jan 31, 1923

F. E. Davis Harris, Oct 23, 1889-Oct 23, 1890

4 unmarked graves

Grave unknown

Cole H. Whittenton, 1852-1932

Dave McaBee, no dates

Daisy McaBee, Oct 22, 1904-Dec 22, 1904

Margaret Whittenton, Sept 10, 1847-June 22, 1930

F. P. Whittenton, July 3, 1875-Sept 15, 1894

Flora Whittenton Walker, wife of Jim, Apr 17, 1877-Nov 1, 1955

2 unmarked graves

Nancy McaBee wife of Dave, 1874-____

Emma McaBee Fry, 1880-1961

G. H. Whittenton, May 20, 1886-May 2, 1900

Jim Walker, Mar 12, 1880-Mar 28, 1966

Marshall Horace Walker, Oct 16, 1918-Feb 26, 1920

Sarah Jane Parham Whittenton, 1855-1934

John McaBee, Feb 16, 1893-Apr 28, 1925, WOW

 

(Page 56)

P. J. McaBee, Confederate veteran, Mar 3, 1833-Mar 10, 1910

Lucinda Crumby McaBee, May 14, 1845-Apr 5, 1932

 

GROUP 17, ROW 16

John M. Brown, Magistrate of Madison Co., May 8, 1874-Mar 31, 1944

Laverne Brown, Aug 10, 1910-Nov 30, 1910

Elbie Brown, May 26, 1880-Feb 20, 1904

William Brown Kendrick, inf son of W. G. Kendrick, Grandson of John M. Brown, Apr 21, 1940-Aug 30, 1940

Ada S. Brown, wife of John, Apr 15, 1876-Nov 7, 1951

Cora Brown Weir, John's sister, Sept 9, 1872-Jan 13, 1894

John I. Brown, Confederate Vet., father of John M, 1839-1920

Roger Irvin Brown, May 29, 1907-Nov 19, 1912

Bertha Ioen Brown, June 20, 1886-July 16, 1888

Mary Frances Whittenton (Mollie) Brown, 1848-1933, wife of John I.

 

GROUP 18

Charlie Adams, Mar 17, 1892-Dec 27, 1949

Paul Schultz, Born in Germany, Mar 6, 1882-Aug 3, 1944

W. P.?(F) Whittenton, May 15, 1887-1901 [in the copy of Family Findings in the Jackson-Madison County Library, the "P.?" has been scratched out and "Forest" written above]

Mary S. Shultz, Born in Germany, July 29, 1898-Oct 31, 1941

Jabe Whittenton, 1861-1910

Callie Dunston, unmarked

Oscar Dunston, unmarked

 

GROUP 19, ROW 17

Mason Arman Staples, Mar 28, 1893-Aug 21, 1947

Sam S. Johnson, Confederate Vet, June 2, 1844-June 29, 1910

Samuel Kirby Johnson, 1892-1959

Nellie M. Johnson Staples, May 14, 1892-Sept 13, 1966

Mollie Kirby Johnson, Mar 19, 1854-Nov 18, 1912

Edward Floyd Johnson, July 15, 1894-Oct 2, 1963

Audoree Johnson, Dec 14, 1895-Oct 8, 1974

Infant child, unmarked

Pauline Boatman Johnson, 1909-1971

 

(Page 57)

GROUP 20

John W. Odell, Mar 9, 1877-Apr 30, 1949

Amy C. Odell, Sept 13, 1885-July 27, 1968

 

GROUP 21

Frances Staples, 1873-1952

Willory Staples, 1869-1933

James R. Dickey, Nov 8, 1864-Mar 1, 1953

 

GROUP 22, ROW 19

W.C. Whitworth, Sr., WW1 Veteran, July 25, 1898-July 20, 1969

Margaret Brasher, May 20, 1843-June 12, 1916

W.C. Whitworth, Jr., May 12, 1925-Sept 3, 1935

Charles T. Brasher, June 30, 1880-Sept 13, 1974

Charles R. Brasher, 29th Tenn Inf. CSA, Mar 14, 1830-May 29, 1906

Cora McaBee Brasher, Oct 2, 1882-Apr 13, 1969

 

GROUP 23

James W. Maness, July 21, 1875-July 7, 1953

William L. Smith, 1877-1958

Pearl D. Armstrong, July 29, 1908-Jan 12, 1974

Cora Armstrong, Sept 16, 1875-June 27, 1939

Martha Maness, Oct 2, 1879-July 1, 18__

John Sanders, unmarked

Armstrong infant, son of Horace Armstrong, unmarked

Danny Armstrong, son of Horace Armstrong, d. July 5, 1948

Mary C. Armstrong, wife of Horace, Jan 2, 1919-Apr 11, 1967

Nunnery Upton, Deputy Sheriff, Apr 3, 1904-Jan 8, 1972

Henry Fry, Aug 11, 1865-June 7, 1960

Franklin Tibbs, infant, unmarked

Joe Senter Armstrong, June 20, 1868-May 7, 1922

 

GROUP

Tcm Nicely, unmarked

Mary Nicely, unmarked

Unmarked grave

 

(Page 58)

GROUP

Minnie Johnson Odell, May 19, 1899-July 10, 1971

Jordan L. Odell, Mar 1, 1855-July 21, 1924

Arthur Odell, Feb 17, 1934-Sept 14, 1935

Celester M. Odell, Mar 17, 1873-Mar 1, 1949

Laverne Odell, Jan 26, 1930-Sept 21, 1931

William Huston Taylor, Sept 27, 1902-Oct 7, 1964

 

GROUP

D. E. Chaffee Luetrell, no dates

Betty Ann McaBee Lutrell Mills, no dates

John M. Lutrell, no dates

 

GROUP

George Harris, no marker

Grafton Moore May 21, 1906-1913

Florence Moore, 1881-1957

Lonsa Dave Moore, 1896-1944

 

GROUP

Jessie David Rushing, no dates

Mary S. Smith, July 1, 1872-Dec 22, 1960

Albert Essary, June 12, 1888-May 1, 1949

Mildred Irene Rushing, no dates

E. D. Floyd, Dec 17, 1810-Dec 19, 1909

Dan S. Smith, July 2, 1870-Aug 15, 1917

Ida Bell Smith Essary, Mar 15, 1892-Feb 22, 1948

 

GROUP

Maude Sharp Johnson, wife of Earnest, Mar 2, 1894-Mar 32, 1972

L. T. Staples, Oct 2, 1894-Apr 17, 1961

Ludie Crowder, Mar 18 1901-Mar 9, 1975

Earnest Johnson, WW2 veteran, Nov 10, 1888-____ [as in Family Findings; probably should be WW1]

Mallie Johnson Staples, wife of L.T., Feb 22, 1896-Sept 30, 1962

Ora F. Crowder, wife of Ludie, Sept 15, 1896-May 29, 1972

Judie Carol Wells, Dec 8, 1955-Dec 15, 1955

Johnny T. Hudson, 1891-1967

Lessie Johnson Husdon, wife of Johnny, 1890-1968 [Husdon in Family Findings]

 

(Page 59)

GROUP

Charles Gordon Coplin, 1896-1957

Elmer Crowder, WW2 veteran, June 20, 1908-Dec 17, 1972

 

GROUP

Felix Randolph Kendrick, Jan 20, 1905-May 16, 1975

 

GROUP

Everett Adcock, Jan 29, 1910-Aug 24, 1974

Thompsie Barker, June 27, 1902-June 12, 1975