Memory Garden Cemetery, Jackson County, Arkansas *********************************************************** Submitted by: Mead B. Camp Date: Nov 2001 Copyright 2001 Mead B. Camp. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/jackson/jackson.html *********************************************************** Mr. Mead B. Camp has graciously given permission to publish his inventory of Memory Garden Cemetery in the USGenWeb Archives. A copy of this inventory was also given to the W. A. Billingsley Library, Newport, AR for their genealogy collection. Formatted for submission into the USGenWeb Archives by Mark Williamson. Birthdates of those individuals whose names are engraved on double stones, yet are still living, have been removed from this inventory. ************************************************************************ MEMORY GARDEN CEMETERY OF JOHNSTOWN Memory Garden Cemetery is located in the rural community of Johnstown, nine miles east of Newport, and is the extension of the Martin Cemetery about 200 yards southwest. The site was once the schoolyard of the Martin Common School of the community. The Martin Schoolhouse stood on the northwest side of the school ground from about 1879 until 1924, but was no longer used for school after 1912. A large oak tree, once used as first base marker for ball games played during recess, still grows at the southern end. The tree is more than 100 years old, and survives all the school children who played there. The cemetery's first burial was on the school ground in 1923 around the time the old schoolhouse was torn down. Mrs. Ada Kirksey and her stillborn baby were buried a few yards east of that oak tree. The marker for her grave is missing today, but others of the Kirksey family were buried near her in later years so it is assumed she rests near their graves. As in the Martin Cemetery, the graves were intended to be in rows, but some are not exactly in line. The identities and locations of a few graves have been lost due to the disappearance of metal markers and years of neglect during the 1930s through the 1950s. The "New Cemetery", as it was first known, had no organization or individual responsible for its administration and upkeep in its beginning. In fact, both the "Martin" and the "New" Cemeteries were on the private property of the Estate of James Martin and John Cook. The heirs of the Estate allowed free burying through the years without ever expressing a complaint. People buried their relatives and friends without permission from anyone. Gravesites were selected at the discretion of the volunteer gravediggers, usually made up of friends and relatives. No one gave thought to the purchase of a plot or permission to bury in the earlier days when times were hard and money was scarce. Mrs. Blanche Sink Camp, wife of William Jesse Camp, recognized the growing problems, literally and figuratively, of the two cemeteries after she retired from public school teaching in 1960. She asked for volunteers in Johnstown community to help with the cleaning and mowing of the grounds. The response was gratifying but she recognized something needed to be done about the business and administration of the cemeteries in order to keep the work an ongoing project. Mrs. Blanche established the "Johnstown Cemetery Association" and was accepted by the Government as a nonprofit organization in the early 1960s. She gave the name "Memory Garden Cemetery" to the New Cemetery and left the Martin Cemetery's name unchanged. Both Cemeteries were placed under the auspices of the Johnstown Cemetery Association. She contacted the heirs of Babe Martin and John Cook, the Rutherfords of Batesville, and they generously donated the properties of the two cemeteries to the Johnstown Cemetery Association. The cemeteries have been cleaned and cared for since that time. They are both classified as PERPEUTUAL CARE CEMETERIES today. In 1998, J. G. Rutherford, the grandson of Babe Martin, gave additional land between the two cemeteries and on the west boundary of Memory Garden for expansion. The JOHNSTOWN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION sells grave plots and accepts "memorial" donations. The proceeds are deposited into a PERPETUAL CARE FUND that is used for the administration, care, and upkeep of the grounds. The relatives of those who have passed on no longer need to fear that their loved ones will ever be neglected as they once were. Blanche Sink Camp inventoried the cemetery in 1968 and the Jackson County Historical Society published the list. The following list is an update with a comment column suggested and contributions made by Bobby Huey. A few of the many individuals who have helped with this revision include Bobby Huey, Angela Tate, Lucille Cooper, Jessie Mae Rutledge, Woodrow Long, Bobby Camp, and M. B. Camp. [Birth/death data for W. H. "Pete" and Alice HELMS added by Mark Williamson and more corrections are at the bottom.] INVENTORY OF BURIALS IN MEMORY GARDEN CEMETERY, Updated October 31st, 2001 Name Birth Death Row Comment Addington, Alice 09-23-1877 11-23-1973 16 Spergeon's mother Addington, Eugene E. 08-24-1910 09-21-1965 16 Nona's husband Addington, Iler E. 03-13-1902 02-24-1993 16 Spergeon's wife Addington, Joe Cephus 03-16-1875 02-06-1959 16 Alice's husb., J. C. Addington, Nona 04-27-1914 2000 16 Eugene's wife Addington, Loney 1891 1960 16 Addington, Woodrow 03-23-1914 04-17-1993 16 Alice & J.C.'s son Addington, Spergeon G. 03-26-1896 06-19-1971 16 J. C.'s son Altom, Maxine M. 1925 1966 11 Bise, Emmer L. 12-18-1907 12-22-2000 7 Leonard's wife Bise, Leonard A. 02-18-1908 01-27-1986 7 Emmer's husband Bonner, Albert Reed 11-30-1875 09-21-1954 8 Rachel's husband Bonner, Rachel Ann 11-17-1872 06-06-1932 8 Albert's wife Bonner, Stella M. 01-16-1911 11-10-1999 8 Earl's wife Bonner, Thomas Earl 03-03-1912 10-12-1965 8 Stella's husband Brown, Bill ? ? 11 Buried near L. Largent Brown, Lillie ? ? 11? Bill's wife Brown, Infant ? ? 11? Daughter of Bill Buck, Faye Stone? 01-21-1900 01-24-1984 8 Loys Rutledge's G-Ma Brumley, Martell Deroice 1937 1937 6 Clarence's son Calkin, Clara 03-27-1915 08-15-1991 11 John's wife Calkin, John 02-18-1911 11-05-1991 11 Clara's husb Camp, Alice Felts 02-18-1910 10-10-1995 3 Jay's wife Camp, Blanche Sink 04-20-1894 10-27-1983 7 Jessie's wife, Teacher Camp, Brian H. 1961 1961 7 Lance's infant son Camp, Cora Howard 1908 1944 15 Norman's wife, twin Camp, Daniel Lee 1868 1931 7 Maud Lowery's father Camp, Glader Mae? 1909 1991 15 Camp, Herman G. 1909 1982 15 Pfc US Army WWII Camp, infant 1947 1947 7 Jay & Alice's son Camp, John H. "Jay" 07-29-1913 12-15-1999 3 Alice's husband Camp, John Kenneth 11-01-1923 03-27-1993 7 Ruby's husb. Camp, Larry W. "Bo" 08-29-1936 07-20-1972 7 Norman's son Camp, Norman 02-06-1910 11-14-1957 7 Cora's husband Camp, Ruby Lee 02-19-1922 09-19-1979 7 Kenneth's 2nd wife Camp, William Jessie 08-05-1892 05-10-1971 7 Blanche's husband Campbell, Aubry E. 11-18-1923 05-15-1983 16 Jack's son Campbell, Clemins A. 07-28-1916 09-09-1996 9 Cpl US Army WWII Campbell, O'Neal Commie 1909 1991 17 Jack Campbell's son Campbell, Devin 10-19-1971 11-14-1992 18 Linnie Kirksey's bro. Campbell, Kenneth Neal 1940 1970 17 Campbell, Opal C. 1915 1984 10 Linnie Kirksey's sis. Campbell, Ressie J. 10-24-1901 12-09-1983 9 William's wife Campbell, Vernon Lee 02-07-1917 02-13-1986 17 Commie's wife Campbell, William C. 04-22-1896 03-30-1990 9 Ressie's husband Connor, Albert S. 11-30-1936 11-15-1990 13 Margarett's husband Connor, Margarett A. living 13 Albert's wife Cooper, Austin 04-25-1914 01-20-1964 3 Ruth's husband Cooper, Bobby 01-26-1938 09-20-1997 3 Austin & Ruth's son US Navy Cooper, Charles W. 01-19-1890 11-06-1963 2 AR Sgt Flying School Det Air Svc WWI, Betty Foster's 2nd husband Cooper, Ethel S. 09-02-1918 09-04-1990 9 Ressie Campbell's dau. Cooper, Fannie L. 06-21-1881 04-05-1967 3 Beede's 2nd wife Cooper, Greg Alex 09-07-1967 12-24-1997 4 Son of Andrea Cooper Cooper, George P. Sr. 05-31-1892 10-31-1968 9 CM 2 US Navy WWI Cooper, George P. Jr. 12-13-1925 05-26-1999 9 CPO US Navy WWII Cooper, Henry H. 02-28-1904 07-24-1971 2 Cooper, Jesse James 09-06-1911 01-30-1993 9 Ethel's husb. WWII Cooper, John Kelly 08-19-1933 01-14-2001 9 Son Cooper, Lucille M. 11-07-1915 09-20-2001 3 Fannie Cooper's dau. Cooper, Ruth Fisher 07-05-1915 04-02-1986 3 Austin's wife Cooper, Ruth Honey 12-25-1903 08-30-1972 9 George's wife Cooper, Ophelia G. 02-04-1920 05-19-1991 3 William T.'s wife Cooper, W. L. 08-01-1889 03-06-1995 3 Cooper, William T. 05-13-1913 11-05-1973 3 Ophelia's husband Cordell, Edward Lee 02-04-1961 11-04-2000 1 Charles & Norma's son Cornwell, Carrol Dean 01-27-1931 06-07-1995 15 Lexie's husband Cornwell, Lewis "Buck" 08-13-1906 08-14-1982 15 Ruby's husband Cornwell, Lexie V. living 15 Carrol's wife Cornwell, Melvin Leon 11-11-1929 01-10-1997 Son of Ruby & Buck Cornwell, Ruby Lowery 08-08-1907 01-06-1981 15 Buck's wife Cummings, Roxie Long 01-05-1915 01-16-1998 3 Willie's wife Cummings, Willie N. 12-13-1913 10-01-1997 3 Roxie's husband Dalton, Melvin Leon 11-11-1929 01-10-199 1 Davis, Bernice Wagner living 18 Amos & Callie's dau. Davis, Curtis 03-03-1925 03-13-1992 18 Bernice's 2nd husband Davis, Henry 04-16-1887 03-27-1953 12 AR Pvt Co B 153 Inf Div WWI Davis, Ronnie Camp 08-24-1948 06-13-1988 17 Bernice's son Dougan, James D. 1887 1961 2 Sadie's husband Dougan, Sadie 1897 ? 2 James's wife Fife, Connie 1958 14 Ford, Betty H. ? ? ? Mother of Alma Ball Foshee, Jack 07-27-1950 09-07-1997 2 Willie's son Foshee, Mildred J. living 2 Willie's wife Foshee, Willie L. 05-19-1914 12-03-1992 2 Mildred's husband Foster, Betty Cooper 07-17-1891 06-08-1985 2 Bill's wife Foster, Mary Anna Lorton 1894 1984 1 Oscar's wife Foster, Oscar A. 1892 1976 1 Anna Lorton's husb. Foster, William Jr. 1915 1924 ? Bill's & Betty's son Foster, W. L. "Bill" 08-01-1889 03-06-1955 2 Betty's husband Franklin, Ray V. 08-14-1899 10-05-1984 17 Beulah's husband Franklin, Beulah B. 04-03-1908 1992 17 Earl Mullen's sister Furnotter, Eliza Miles 12-11-1959 08-28-1941 11 Rosa Honey's mother Gillette, Charles W. 1925 1997 1 Willene's husband Gillette, Willene J. 1926 1995 1 Charles' wife Green, Dan ? ? 4 Griffin, Claude ? ? ? Bessie Mankey's hus. Hackney, Alta R. "Jim" 06-07-1932 06-06-1959 13 Hackney, Cora L. 10-05-1898 03-29-1991 13 Hackney, S. W. "Sam" 1884 1969 13 Helms, Alice 09-08-1889 03-30-1949 4 No marker; Pete's wife Helms, James 01-16-1973 01-13-1979 13 Ralph's son Helms, W. H. "Pete" 11-02-1880 10-20-1955 4 No marker; Alice's husband Helms, Malissa 11-17-1969 01-13-1979 13 Ralph's daughter Helms, Orvil ? ? 4 Pete's son Helms, Ralph J. 08-13-1925 02-19-1977 13 Pvt US Army, Korea Henderson, Mildred 06-19-1952 08-23-1995 1 Lived in Amagon Hickman, June 05-05-1934 05-17-2001 18 Waborn's wife Hickman, Waborn 02-28-1931 07-21-2001 18 June's husband Hodge, Berlie F. 08-15-1906 11-06-1980 9 Jewel's husband Hodge, Eugene Earl 03-13-1943 07-19-1964 9 AR MT 2 US Navy Hodge, Eva Jewel 07-12-1909 08-18-1991 9 Berlie's wife Hodge, Eula G. Morris 03-28-1924 02-21-1999 9 Henry's wife Hodge, Henry L. 07-25-1918 06-20-1998 9 Eula's husband Hodge, Homer 08-11-1911 09-14-1987 10 Margie's husband Hodge, John C. 1878 1944 9 Hodge, Marcus Dwayne 1968 8 Hodge, Margie ? 1947 10 Homer's wife Hodge, Mary Ellen 1940 1951 9 Hodge, Ruben Gerald 09-15-1925 09-26-1982 13 USAF WWII, Korea Hodge, Rufus Andy 05-09-1921 10-19-1968 9 AR Sgt Co H 185 Inf WWII Hodge, Sallie F. 1882 1959 9 Amber's mother Hodge, William Ambers 02-05-1914 04-21-1992 9 Sallie's son Honey, Anderson 1891 1957 10 Jim & Nannie's son Honey, Clarence 1894 1964 1 Pallie's husband Honey, Charles 08-27-1923 03-28-1984 10 Delois' husband Honey, Darren Ray 12-27-1981 11-28-1997 4 Marian's son Honey, Darrel Q. 06-26-1933 06-25-1934 12 Honey, Delois living 10 Charles' wife Honey, Fannie Largent 09-06-1905 12-08-1993 10 Lenzie's wife Honey, Fanny S. 05-18-1908 09-01-1989 4 Sylvia's wife Honey, James William 05-10-1912 03-22-1950 11 Pernnie's husband Honey, J. W. 1894 1950 10 Honey, Kambi ? ? ? Infant daug. of Terry Honey, Kathryn E. 12-15-1918 01-23-1993 10 Woodrow's wife Honey, Lenzie W. 03-16-1908 04-22-1979 10 Fannie's husband Honey, Nannie 06-01-1861 12-12-1938 11 Jim's 2nd wife Honey, Opal C. 15 Opal C. Campbell? Honey, Pallie Roden 10-01-1900 02-17-1983 1 Clarence's wife Honey, Pernnie Vera 03-03-1918 09-05-1973 11 James W.'s wife Honey, Rance D. 11-15-1875 02-05-1962 10 Honey, Robin Lynn 10-25-1964 01-21-1965 11 Honey, Rosa 1884 1956 11 Willie's wife Honey, Ruben Gerald** 09-05-1925 09-26-1982 13 USAF WWII Korea Honey, Sylvia L. 10-14-1905 10-28-1993 4 Husband of Fanny S. Honey, Thana 08-20-1911 01-19-1927 11 Honey, Vivian 11-13-1928 06-22-1934 12 Lenzie's daughter Honey, Willie W. 1880 1960 11 Rosa's husband Honey, Woodrow C. 08-18-1917 11-06-1976 11 Kathryn's husband Howard, Alice Camp 07-05-1906 01-01-1994 15 Cecil's wife Howard, Bettie Jane 1872 1937 16 Howard, Cecil 12-28-1901 06-20-1967 15 Alice's husband Howard, Floyd ? ? ? Buried near Big Oak Howard, Martha Camp 02-08-1880 04-17-1959 6 Russell Ed's wife Howard, Nellie 07-29-1926 09-16-1927 10 Howard, Robert H. 02-05-1880 01-31-1964 15 Cecil's father Howard, Robert A."Pete" 02-23-1922 05-20-1974 15 Cecil & Alice's son Howard, Rosa M. Davis 10-14-1923 06-15-1947 15 Pete's wife Howard, Russell Ed. 01-28-1872 03-30-1959 6 Martha's husband Howard, Sarah Frances 05-09-1878 07-19-1952 15 Robert H.'s wife Jensen, Phillis I. 03-02-1962 04-02-1997 11 Jones, Henry (Jack) 1885 1960 11 Odie Bell's husband Jones, Odie Bell 1895 1976 11 Jack's wife Joplin, Wanda Y. Honey 11-12-1934 02-02-1985 11 J. W.'s wife, cancer Kent, Gladys Mae Mullens 1909 1991 17 Herman's wife Kent, Herman E. 1909 1982 17 Pfc US Army WWII King, Donnie Lane 01-12-1953 12-13-1999 11 King, Edgar William 03-25-1900 07-26-1966 11 Lorene's husband King, Lorene Modie 08-04-1901 05-19-1977 11 Edgar's wife Kirksey, Mrs. Ada ? 1923 ? First burial in cem. Kirksey, Infant 1923 1923 10? Buried with mother Kirksey, Harvey S. 04-20-1912 04-06-1972 11 Moody's brother Kirksey, Linnie Mae 03-08-1905 11-08-1989 10 Moody Lee's wife Kirksey, Moody Lee 10-24-1901 01-17-1974 10 Linnie M.'s husband Kirksey, William Jackson 1945 1981 10 US Army Vietnam Kirksey, Lewis 05-19-1923 05-21-1933 10 Koontz, Lucy Cooper 1908 1988 2 Willie's wife Koontz, "Willie" William A. 1901 1970 2 Lucy's husband Lackey, Evelyn Reams 06-09-1920 2000 17 Oscar's wife Lackey, James Oscar 1914 1992 17 Evelyn's husband Largent, Lula 03-07-1883 12-18-1954 12 Luther's wife Largent, Luther 05-19-1874 07-09-1948 12 Lula's husband Lewis, baby 05-19-1923 05-21-1923 10 Concrete marker Littlejohn, Patsy Ann 06-11-1938 01-18-1972 14 Milas Wagner's dau. Long, Amos M. 02-14-1888 09-07-1935 2 Rachel's husband Long, B. W. "Dub" living 14 Lois's husb., WWII Long, Lois Wagner 09-08-1931 06-13-1998 14 B. W.'s 1st wife Long, Mary Geneva 04-04-1921 07-19-1997 1 Woodrow's wife Long, Rachel Cooper 11-08-1898 01-10-1988 2 Amos Long's wife Long, Woodrow living 1 Geneva's husband Lowery, C. C. "Buck" 10-08-1921 07-17-1999 7 Gatha Lee's husband Lowery, Gatha Mathis living 7 Buck's wife Lowery, Grover C. 05-20-1889 12-05-1955 7 Maud's husband Lowery, Maude 09-11-1889 12-27-1970 7 Grover's wife Lowery, R. Woodrow 06-21-1912 05-03-1993 7 "Woody", Buck's bro. Lowery, William Lee 05-11-1917 05-21-1935 7 Grover & Maud's son Lystad, Dora Howard 1908 1960 15 Twin sister of Cora Mankey, Emma ? 1970 ? Mother of Alfred Martin, Wanda Ann 12-24-1949 12-18-1982 1 Charles Cordell's dau. McDaniel, Lela L. 02-01-1911 06-05-1978 14 Luster's wife McDaniel, Luster 08-04-1906 09-06-1988 14 Lela's husband McDonald, Robert W. 5 Exie's child McDonald, Exie Ward 01-10-1907 11-10-1929 5 Died in childbirth McKee, James W. "Dub" 1918 1982 7 Sarah's husband McKee, Sarah L. Camp 1922 1985 7 Jesse Camp's daug. Metcalf, Lucy 1893 1948 5 Ethel's mother Moore, Ada Simons 06-30-1915 07-17-1943 12 Calvin's wife Moore, Calvin O. 05-18-1914 07-26-1943 12 Ada's husband Pasley, John S. 03-10-1870 12-24-1936 7 Ben's father Pasley, Lorena 04-12-1868 03-10-1937 7 John's wife Pennington, "Will" Joseph 1866 1940 6 Grandfather Pruett, Annice 1891 1965 14 No marker Pruett, Mardis 1889 1967 14 No marker Redd, A. J. "Jack" 1887 1950 4 Laura's husband Redd, Laura B. 1889 1964 4 Jack's wife Ritter, Alonza L. 11-18-1937 09-31-2001 5 Carolyn's husband Ritter, Carolyn O. 02-01-1939 06-01-1991 5 Alonza's wife Robinson, William Jesse 1854 1930 7 Lee Camp's half bro Rogers, John H. 03-07-1887 08-25-1972 11 Rogers, Lee Anna 06-02-1907 10-09-1940 11 Mother Rutledge, Jessie Mae living 7 Leon's wife Rutledge, Leonidas C. 01-15-1947 10-28-1947 7 Jessie M.'s son Rutledge, William Leon 01-23-1921 07-20-1998 7 Jessie Mae's husb Rutledge, W. Leon Jr. 06-11-1943 06-11-1943 7 Leon's son Simons, Blanche B. living 11 Simons, Carl Vestal 04-06-1917 01-05-1969 11 US Army WWII Simons, Sennie 1892 1972 12 W. H.'s wife Simons, W. H. 1884 1959 12 Sennie's husband Starr, Nadine Wallis 09-26-1930 04-20-1977 2 Authur Wallis's dau Stevens, Donald ? 1960 12 No marker Stevens, Michelle Marie 10-08-1983 10-16-1983 1 Terry Gillette's dau Stevens, Makenzie J. 07-14-1986 11-21-1986 1 Terry Gillette's son Stickel, Betty Fay living 11 George's wife Stickel, George 12-02-1925 04-22-1992 11 Betty's husband Swaffar, Alfred 06-10-1897 11-23-1984 12 Clara's husband Swaffar, Clara 03-03-1902 04-03-1983 12 Alfred's wife Swaffar, Claud 11-18-1921 08-08-1986 12 Alfred & Clara's son Swaffar, Elsie R. living 12 Swaffar, Maxine 10-26-1925 04-22-1966 12 Clara's daug. Tate, Dora Lowery living 7 Burl's wife Tate, William Burl 09-24-1914 08-07-1989 7 Dora's husband Taylor, John Larry 02-19-1969 05-18-1997 4 Johnnie Camp's son Tims, Charlotte 1968 11 Tims, Troy Lee 1920 1980 12 US Army WWII Vanorman, Mary E. 1855 1936 1 Gertie Sink's mother Waddle, Aubre 1923 1983 1 Ivory's brother Waddle, Ivory E. 03-02-1913 02-25-1990 16 Pfc US Army WWII Waddle, Susie living 16 Wagner, Alfred 1869 1938 14 Lucy's husband Wagner, Amos A. 10-25-1911 05-10-1983 18 Callie's husband Wagner, Callie Cooper living 18 Amos' wife Wagner, Eunice K. 1927 1969 14 Milas' daughter Wagner, Lucy 1879 1938 14 Alfred's wife Wagner, Milas Andrew 04-24-1900 04-07-1966 14 Rachel's husband Wagner, Rachel Green 02-24-1908 02-06-1972 14 Milas' wife Wallis, Authur W. 06-29-1900 07-20-1973 2 Louise's husband Wallis, Billy D. 09-03-1941 10-08-1980 2 Cpt. US Army Wallis, Louise Roberts 07-05-1906 01-30-1986 2 Authur's wife Ward, Kayria 05-24-1964 03-31-1994 17 Zelda Howard's dau White, John A. 10-02-1938 04-27-1997 4 Sgt US Army Whiteside, Edna 1921 1979 5 Lucy's daughter Wilson, Barbara L. living 6 Carl's wife Wilson, Carl L. 05-27-1941 02-24-1991 6 Barbara's husband Wilson, H. A. 03-11-1877 06-05-1961 13 Father Yancey, Ruby Jewell 1932 1980 16 Metal marker *********************************** ** Ruben Gerald HONEY died 23 Jan 2022, the referenced death date is for Ruben Gerald HODGE. [noted 2 Mar 2022 by Kathy Otiker] Poorly Marked Graves: Kirksey, Mrs. Ada, row 10 No name, concrete marker, row 4 Alice & Pete Helms, no marker, row 4 Cotton But?, 1870-1894, row 5 Nellie, metal marker, row 8 No name, Hodge baby?, row 9? No name, concrete marker, row 10 No name, flat rock, row 10 Sci??, Jesse, flat rock, row 11 No name, rock painted purple, row 11 No name, rock, row 11 Donald Stevens, no marker, row 12 McCustim?, ?, row 13 No name, concrete block, row 13 ??rrow, Lynn, row 14 Annice & Mardis Pruett, no marker, row 14