St. Paul Methodist Church Cemetery, Butler, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/butler/cemetery/stpaul.txt ================================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Laura Leigh Elmore ================================================================================ August 2002 St. Paul Methodist Church Cemetery St. Paul Methodist Church and Cemetery are located on Highway 10 east of Greenville, approximately 2.8 miles east of the intersection of Highway 10 and Highway 31, in Butler County, AL. Survey conducted July 27, 2002 by James "Jim" Perry Parrish (son of Howard Haywood Parrish and Ida Kate Perry Parrish) and Laura Leigh Elmore. ------- We started with a copy of a survey obtained from the Greenville Library in Butler County that had the following notes on the last page: "This is all in this cemetery. Copied by Elizabeth Blackwell, 1964." We made corrections and additions to Elizabeth Blackwell's survey as we found them. We tried to copy everything from the markers, including the epitaphs; however, some of the markers were eroded and hard to read. When necessary, we used information from Elizabeth Blackwell's survey that was done in 1964. We have also added our own notes (shown in parenthesis) concerning family relationships, conditions of markers, and locations of markers. We hope all the information listed is complete and accurate. Jim and Laura, 8/2002 -------- Hancock, Sarah A. 11/28/1830 - 5/4/1902 A tender mother & faithful friend. (The stone is eroded. DOB taken from Elizabeth Blackwell's survey.) Hancock, Sarah Elizabeth 4/12/1860 - 9/?/1898 (The stone is eroded, but possibly read 9/6/1898.) -------- The following are buried in a family plot, left to right in the order listed: Walton, Robert E. Son of W.C. & A.P. Walton 5/12/1899 - 11/14/1907 Walton, W.C. 9/14/1864 - 3/27/1923 Not dead but sleepeth. Woodsmen of the World emblem Walton, Pearl McQueen 10/19/1875 - 11/2/1935 ------- The following are buried, left to right in the order listed, in what appears to be a family plot that is directly in front of the Walton plot listed above: Walton, Mary M. Wife of W.C. Walton 10/22/1867 - 5/18/1885 She believed and sleeps in Jesus. Mash, David 2/23/1844 - 4/1/1905 Father Mash, Saphronie M. Gholson 7/22/1842 - 4/16/1917 Mother Mash, William N. 9/17/1869 - 12/9/1959 Father Mash, Lula S. 9/11/1874 - 4/18/1949 Mother (William N. Mash and Lula S. Mash share a double headstone.) ------- Mash, J. Theo, Sr. 3/13/1907 - 3/31/1978 Father Mash, Annie Roper 12/16/1909 - 9/28/2001 Mother (J. Theo Mash Sr. and Annie Roper Mash were buried side by side, next to William N. Mash and Lula S. Mash.) ------- Mash, Eugenia Ellington Wife of M.T. Mash 1/8/1857 - 6/3/1930 Mash, Milton T. 10/5/1849 - 5/15/1894 Mash, N. 5/10/1806 - 2/5/1893 Mash, Mary Evans w/o N. Mash 1/29/1810 - 4/8/1894 (N. Mash and Mary Evans Mash share one obelisk marker that is about 8 feet high, with N. Mash indicated on one side and Mary Evans Mash indicated on the other side.) Epitaph on the back of the marker for N. Mash and Mary Evans Mash: They have gone from earth forever, they sleep beneath the soil. Angels' hands has bore their souls in triumph back to God. While loved ones mourn for them, rest on dear parents, we will meet you soon. ------- Ewing, M.C.E. 11/7/1833 - 12/7/1911 She hath won the victory, her life was with God. (M.C.E. Ewing was buried to the right of the above Mash family plot, directly in front of David T. Mash and Saphronie M. Gholson Mash.) ------- The following are buried in a family plot: (Listed in the order buried, left to right. Also, there is space between several of the grave sites, so there are possibly four or more unmarked graves in this family plot.) First row: Harrell, Fannie Faison Wife of J.D. Harrell 1857 - 1891 (These were the only dates listed.) Harrell, Sarah S. Dau. of J.D. & Fannie Harrell Age 6 mos (No dates listed.) Faison, Maggie Horn Dau. of J.E. & M.H. Faison 7/25/1887 - 8/2/1907 Faison, William M. 2/22/1881 - 4/17/1974 Faison, Johnnie P. 10/17/1888 - 2/25/1972 (William M. Faison and Johnnie P. Faison share a double headstone and are buried next to Maggie Horn Faison and W. Ophelia Wright Pryor.) Pryor, W. Ophelia Wright 1/3/1869 - 6/30/1941 Second row: Faison, John Alexander 3/5/1859 - 1/11/1924 Faison, Melissa Harrell 4/12/1852 - 2/26/1924 (John Alexander Faison and Melissa Harrell Faison share a double headstone.) ------- The following were buried in the Brunson and Kierce family plots, which are side by side: Brunson plot, first row, left to right: Brunson, Charles Thomas 12/7/1882 - 10/30/1956 Brunson, Lillie Kierce 11/1880 - 5/1968 (Only the months and years were listed.) (Charles Thomas and Lillie Kierce Brunson are buried side by side.) Brunson, James Reuben 2/15/1892 - 5/24/1965 Brunson, Sarah Thompson w/o James R. Brunson 6/8/1896 - 2/2/1965 Kierce, William Walton, II 7/16/1948 - 5/30/1974 Brunson plot, second row, left to right: Brunson, Benjamin Henry 8/7/1886 - 10/10/1918 He is not dead, but sleepeth. Brunson, James S. 12/18/1853 - 3/7/1939 Brunson, Martha M. Perry Wife of J.S. Brunson 1/4/1854 - 9/1/1936 Kierce, William Walton 1/25/1879 - 4/26/1952 Kierce, Mary Ellen Brunson w/o William Walton Kierce 6/16/1884 - 8/25/1964 Brunson plot, third row: Kierce, Joseph F. Son of W.W. & M.E. Kierce 12/3/1907 - 5/6/1908 Safe in the arms of Jesus. Kierce plot, first row, left to right: Kierce, James Brunson 10/28/1904 - 6/21/1980 Kierce, Virginia "Jennie" Gates 9/14/1912 - 11/30/1987 (James Brunson Kierce and Jennie Gates Kierce were buried side by side.) Kierce plot, second row: Kierce, James Brunson, Junior Son of Jennie Gates Kierce & J. Brunson Kierce, Senior 10/24/1939 - 7/9/2000 Amazing Grace ------- Pollard, Mary A. 12/28/1841 - 8/20/1897 Mother In loving memory. (There was an epitaph on the back of Mary A. Pollard's marker, but it was eroded and hard to read. Also, Mary A. Pollard is buried in close proximity to the Brunson and Kierce family plots and appears to possibly be buried in the following Pierce family plot.) ------- The following are buried in what appears to be a family plot, left to right in the order listed. Perry, Lucinda 5/7/1826 - 2/8/1907 Pierce, John Kendrick Son of Geo. W. & S.P. Pierce 7/21/1899 - 8/5/1899 A little time on earth he spent, Till God for him His Angels sent. Pierce, Susie Perry Wife of Geo. W. Pierce 5/18/1859 - 8/12/1899 Mother Thou art gone from a world of care, the bliss of Heaven to share. Pierce, Geo. W. 4/21/1853 - 3/18/1914 Father (Susie Perry Pierce and Geo. W. Pierce share a double headstone.) Phelps, Carrie Pierce 3/8/1892 - 8/31/1914 Pierce, S.B. 4/15/1862 - 8/7/1922 Having finished life's duty, he now sweetly rests. (Masonic emblem on S.B. Pierce's marker.) ------- The following were buried in a family plot: First row, left to right: McBride, Robert J. 7/3/1911 - 7/25/1929 McBride, Lilla S. 8/7/1885 - 5/13/1921 (Robert J. McBride and Lilla S. McBride share a double headstone, but judging by the dates, this is most likely not husband and wife, but possibly mother and child?) Smith, Robert E.V. 1/15/1888 - 8/10/1917 My husband. Smith, Betty P. 3/29/1849 - 10/11/1937 Mother Smith, R. Jeff 1/1/1853 - 5/26/1947 Father (Betty P. Smith and R. Jeff Smith share a double headstone.) Second row, left to right, Smith, Rosa Lou 10/30/1880 - 10/17/1966 Rosa ("Rosa" was engraved on the slab, near the bottom.) Smith, Mary Elizabeth 12/17/1882 - 12/3/1964 Lizzie ("Lizzie" was engraved on the slab near the bottom.) Smith, Sara Frances 2/4/1884 - 11/29/1978 Frankie ("Frankie" was engraved on the slab near the bottom.) (Mary Elizabeth, Rosa Lou, and Sara Frances were unmarried sisters and were buried in a row, in front of their parents, Betty P. Smith and R. Jeff Smith.) ------- The following share a family plot: First row, left to right: Dollahite, Ruby Pierce 5/25/1888 - 2/2/1966 Dollahite, Bernard Aubrey 2/7/1884 - 3/5/1924 (Ruby Pierce Dollahite and Bernard Aubrey Dollahite share double headstone.) Second row, left to right: Carr, Margaret Dollahite 2/22/1910 - 11/17/1990 Carr, Edith Margaret 12/10/1950 - 12/10/1950 -------- The following share a family plot: First row, left to right: Searcy, Eugene 9/19/1888 - 2/28/1961 Searcy, Mary Elizabeth Thagard 5/9/1892 - 12/26/1965 Searcy, Robert Reese 5/25/1912 - 6/16/1929 Searcy, Sarah Frances Wife of S.J. Searcy 12/28/1864 - 6/24/1925 She was a kind and affectionate wife, a fond mother and a friend to all. Searcy, Samuel James 9/26/1861 - 7/13/1949 Second row, left to right: Searcy, Mabel Burnett 10/7/1926 - 8/5/1986 Searcy, Wilmer Creech 6/14/1918 - 10/25/1969 Searcy, George Robert 8/14/1890 - 8/14/1930 CAP (The all capitalized letters "CAP" were on George Robert Searcy's headstone.) Searcy, Roby Ollie 10/12/1893 - 6/21/1962 Sutliff, Lucile Searcy 9/12/1895 - 1/23/1989 Sutliff, Harry Sidney 5/22/1894 - 3/27/1938 ------- The following are buried in a family plot: First row, left to right: Dean, Marvin E. 7/5/1917 - 11/5/1974 US Navy Dean, Robert J., "Bobby" 8 - 18 - 36 2 - 8 - 98 (We assumed this is 8/18/1936 - 2/9/1998 ??) Sidney, Dean, Jr. 8/13/1926 - 4/5/1942 Not dead but sleepeth. Bell, Trudie Iline 1/5/1917 - 3/24/1951 Second row, left to right: Dean, Bill 5/1/1930 - 11/3/1992 Dean, Sidney J., Sr. 3/25/1890 - 6/25/1950 At rest. Dean, Ethel M. 2/27/1899 - 1/25/1973 In peace. (Sidney J. Dean, Sr. and Ethel M. Dean share a double marker.) ------- The following are buried in a family plot: First row, left to right: Perry, James Robert 11/19/1875 - 4/5/1956 Perry, Glennie Roach 6/30/1883 - 2/4/1951 (Glennie Roach Perry was the daughter of Henry Thomas Roach and Sarah Ida Summerford Roach, both buried at Damascus Cemetery in Butler County.) (James Robert Perry and Glennie Roach Perry share a double headstone.) Parrish, Howard Haywood 12/21/1906 - 1/2/1987 Parrish, Ida Kate Perry 11/5/1918 - 12/18/1997 (Ida Kate Perry Parrish was the daughter of James Robert Perry and Glennie Roach Perry and the wife of Howard Haywood Parrish.) Second row, left to right: Higgins, Myrtle S. 1867 - 1959 Higgins, Edwin A. 7/25/1892 - 8/27/1976 US Navy, WWI (Edwin A. Higgins was the son of Myrtle S. Higgins.) Higgins, Edna Lane Perry 9/11/1903 - 5/12/2002 (Edna Lane Perry Higgins was the daughter of James Robert Perry and Glennie Roach Perry and the wife of Edwin A. Higgins. Edna Lane and Edwin A. Higgins had no children.) ------- The following share a family plot: First row, left to right: Raybon, Levy Leonard 12/28/1917 - 1/26/1981 Father He gave, he took, he doeth all things well. ACM US Navy WWII Raybon, Kate Howard 9/22/1910 - 5/16/1984 Loving mother, faithful friend. Howard, Russell B., Jr 8/4/1943 - 1/4/1944 Gone to be an Angel. Second row, left to right: Howard, Russell B. 1914 - 1986 Howard, John Wilson 3/25/1873 - 11/13/1948 Father An honest man is the noblest work of God. Howard, Jennie V. 11/6/1876 - 6/10/1965 Mother Thy life was beauty, truth, goodness and love. ------- The following are buried in the Thagard / Moody family plot: First row, left to right: Tutchtone, Minnie Mae Simmons Thagard 4/13/1921 - 10/9/1983 (Minnie Mae Simmons married 1st William James Thagard, then after his death, she married 2nd Philip Tutchtone, who was still alive as of 7/2002.) Thagard, William James 4/17/1922 - 9/15/1975 (William James Thagard was the son of Vernon and Sarah F. Thagard.) Thagard, Vernon R. 3/17/1895 - 10/21/1939 Thagard, Sarah F. 6/7/1895 - 10/24/1970 (Wife of Vernon R. Thagard.) Thagard, Vernon Roach 3/3/1932 - 8/26/1991 US Army Korea (Vernon Roach Thagard was the son of Vernon and Sarah F. Thagard.) Second row, left to right: Thagard, James Lee 6/14/1870 - 11/30/1963 Thagard, Minnie Roach Wife of James Lee Thagard 9/25/1871 - 1/17/1962 Thagard, "Dock" Albert Lee 3/27/1898 - 2/29/1964 ("Dock" Albert Lee Thagard never married.) Thagard, Judge Thomas Werth, Sr. 4/10/1902 - 2/8/1975 (Judge Thomas Werth Thagard, Sr. was the son of James Lee and Minnie Thagard.) Thagard, Beverly Preuit 11/25/1909 - 2/23/1979 (Beverly Preuit Thagard was the wife of Judge Thomas Werth Thagard, Sr.) Third row, with a Moody marker: Moody, Sarah E. Thagard 2/16/1929 - 12/3/1991 A loving mother. (Sarah E. Thagard Moody was the daughter of Vernon and Sarah Thagard.) Moody, Calvin C. 11/25/1926 - 1/28/1999 (Calvin C. Moody was the husband of Sarah E. Thagard Moody.) Thagard, George R. Son of J.L. and M.L. Thagard 2/17/1894 - 4/20/1894 (George R. Thagard was not buried in the Thagard plot, but several yards away.) ------ Thompson, Dan Cecil 10/18/1910 - 1/9/1922 Thompson, Lute Malcolm 2/6/1906 - 1/30/1961 Veteran of World War II (Dan Cecil Thompson and Lute Malcolm Thompson were buried to the left of the Thompson / Dorton plot listed below.) ------- The following are buried (left to right) in a family plot: Thompson, James Alfred 11/9/1862 - 1/19/1949 Father Thompson, Ella Sheffield 8/1/1877 - 7/1/1956 Mother Dorton, Nora Thompson (The marker and slab beside Horace Edward Dorton had recently been removed, but it is believed that his wife, Nora Thompson Dorton, is buried there.) Dorton, Horace Edward 1/13/1917 - 6/25/1993 US Navy WWII -------- (The following three markers were badly eroded and most of the info was barely legible. We used Elizabeth Blackwell's survey to determine who the following three markers were for.) Keith, Grover Cleveland (No dates. The name "J.C. Croley" was clearly legible and was written at the top of the slab, just below the marker.) Keith, Elizabeth Rhae (No dates.) Keith, Isaac A., Sr. (No dates.) ---------- The following are buried (left to right) in the Thagard family plot: Thagard, Wm. Creech 5/8/1895 - 2/9/1968 William C. Thagard, Alabama F3 USNR, WWI Thagard, Willie Lee P. 3/2/1901 - 7/12/1983 Thagard, Mary E. Reese Wife of T.S. Thagard 9/12/1837 - 7/23/1892 Mother, thou hast from us flown to regions far above, we to thee erect this stone consecrated by our love. Thagard, T.S. 1/23/1831 - 9/21/1899 An amiable father here lies at rest, as ever God with His image blest. The friend of man, the friend of truth, the friend of age, the guide of youth. (There is one tall marker, with Mary E. Reese Thagard shown on one side and T.S. Thagard shown on the other side.) -------- Varner, Mazie W. 7/6/1907 - 12/7/1984 Varner, Alvin S. 8/14/1908 - 2/19/2002 -------- The following are buried in what appears to be a family plot: First row, left to right: Lowe, Minnie Creech 9/27/1890 - 3/12/1955 Creech, Hettie 1851 - 1923 (These were the only dates listed.) Creech, Mollie E. Phelps Wife of Henry C. Creech 2/11/1860 - 3/22/1926 Mother Creech, Henry C. 12/22/1843 - 10/18/1921 Father Creech, Josephine 11/15/1840 - 2/22/1920 (The stone is eroded. Most of the info is no longer legible, but was taken from Elizabeth Blackwell's survey.) Creech, Margaret ?/1848 - 1/21/1920 (The stone is badly eroded. Most of the info - including the name - is no longer legible, but was taken from Elizabeth Blackwell's survey.) Creech, Amanda 9/?/1820 - 9/27/1909 (The stone is badly eroded. Most of the info is no longer legible, but was taken from Elizabeth Blackwell's survey.) Creech, William C. 1/14/1810 - 2/23/1892 Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Second row, left to right: (There was an unmarked grave to the left of Jerre B. Creech, possibly for his wife. Elizabeth Blackwell's survey reads: "Drucilla Phelps Thrower Creech. No marker, but known to be wife of Jerre B. Creech and dau. of Lorenzo Dow Phelps and Margaret Herndon. She died after Jerre B. Creech.") Creech, Jerre B. 1859 - 1937 Husband Creech, W.J. 1/11/1855 - 5/2/1930 -------- Johnson, Annie Mae 10/8/1892 - 8/28/1969 Johnson, Rufus C. 8/22/1895 - 11/17/1949 ALA PVT 46 Infantry World War I Johnson, Helen Ruth 8/10/1929 - 6/10/1932 (Annie Mae Johnson is buried on the left side of Rufus C. Johnson and Helen Ruth Johnson is buried on the right side of Rufus C. Johnson.) ------ Foster, Robert B. "Bobby" 2/20/1937 - 6/6/1996 We love you Deddy. Maleisa, Stephanie & Holly. (Spelling was "Deddy") Foster, Barbara Fitts 1/2/1938 - 2/28/1981 ------ Wright, Guy W. 11/23/1896 - 12/7/1986 Wright , Mary Lowe 9/3/1912 - 12/6/1975 (Guy W. Wright and Mary Lowe Wright share a double headstone.) Wright, Guy W., III 7/28/1967 - 9/20/1989 Wright, Melissa Ann 8/28/1965 - 11/15/1985 (Guy W. Wright, III and Melissa Ann Wright were buried side by side in front of Guy W. Wright and Mary Lowe Wright.) ------- Bender, Wilbur Bruce 1/15/1899 - 12/27/1966 Bender, Mamie Arant 5/25/1900 - 5/2/1994 (Wilbur Bruce Bender and Mamie Arant Bender share a double headstone.) ------- Sexton, G. L. 3/30/1924 - still alive as of 7/2002 (G. Lee Sexton) Sexton, Doris D. 2/20/1924 - still alive as of 7/2002 (G. L. Sexton and Doris D. Sexton share a double headstone.) ------- Adams, Sula D. 3/12/1919 - still alive as of 7/2002 Mom Going Home. Unmarked grave, recent burial - 7/2002. Buried directly in front of Sula D. Adams' marker. ------- Dean, Guy Elias 9/20/1903 - 3/30/1986 Dean, Ethel Beatrice Cobb 12/15/1905 - 5/26/1987 Guy Elias Dean and Ethel Beatice Cobb Dean share a double headstone that reads: Married 5/28/1927.