LIBERTY COUNTY, GA - CEMETERIES Bethany (Todd-Ray) White (Ft. Stewart) Page 33 edited dh 8/22/03 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Wyman May Ft. Stewart Cemeteries published 1993. (No longer available for purchase) Copyright Wyman May Thank you to Dorothy Hope for scanning this for our use. Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY - (White) SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS TODD-RAY Fort Stewart Cemetery Number 16, sometimes listed as Todd-Ray Cemetery. Ft Stewart Area: E-8. Land Tract Number: 1043. Acreage: 1.00. Former Property Owner: Bethany Church & Cemetery. Map Grid Coordinates - Vertical: 40.2, Horizontal: 32.6. North on GA-119 to GA-129 (dirt road). Left on GA-129 to cemetery on left, at intersection of GA-129 and Fort Stewart Road 23. Survey made June 12, 1990 by Wyman May, H. L. Neal, Jr., Charles Zoucks, Hugh Gayler and Harry Henderson. ***Permission MUST BE requested at Range Control. They will outline a route based on road conditions and training in the area. *** This history of Bethany Baptist Church is found in THE WILLIE COMMUNITY, a book compiled and edited by Mary Effie Darsey Smith. In the early 1890’s the people who lived in the Ray settlement of northwest Liberty County, relized there was a need for a church in that area. Mr. Richard Ray, Mr. John Mobley and a Mr. Curry secured enough land for a church and a cemetery from Mr. Whitten. In fact, Mr. Whitten gave them the land for that purpose. Before the church was built, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ray died. The child, Darling Ray, age two, died of diphtheria in 1895. His grave was the first to be put in Bethany Cemetery. The land was cleared and in due time work was begun on the church building. When finished the first pastor to be called was Rev. J. A. J. “Ganos” Smith from Daisy. Georgia. Then Rev. Reuben Johnson from Glennville served for several years. The Reverend Benton was the next pastor. During this time baptism was held at Tan Trough Lake at the Richard Ray Landing. Mister Ray’s daughters, Bessie and Minnie, were baptized there by Reverend Benton in 1909. Other ministers who served the church were Rev. Joe Scarbrough, Rev. J. J. Edwards, Rev. Charles Scarbrough, Rev. Wesley DeLoach, Rev. Swindell, Rev. Guest, Rev. Davis and Rev. Joel Smith. Preaching services were held every Sunday. There were revival meetings each quarter and at that time communion was observed by the members. Deacon and Mrs. John Mobley or Deacon and Mrs. Richard Ray were responsible for preparing the bread and wine for this service. As the church membership grew, other deacons were ordained. Among them were Ben Ray and William Ray. For several years the church had no organ or piano. During special meetings the organ from the Richard Ray home was taken to the church. Zilphia Ray played the organ until her death in 1918. Then Bessie Ray became organist. Later a piano was bought for the church. The membership of Bethany Baptist Church has been estimated at about one hundred to one hundred fifty. The church was disbanded in 1941 when the federal government acquired the land for Camp Stewart Military Reservation. 1 Burch, A. B., March 6, 1873-Sept 1, 1926. Father. 2 Infant dau of William M. Cowan. born & died Jul 4. 1935. 3 Unknown - Marble marker with the word “Junior”. 4 Mobley, Clara M., wife of J. H. Mobley, June 22, 1887-Aug 11, 1910. 5 Mobley, Vincy, Apr 11, 1892-Jan 22, 1926. 6 DuBose, Junius Campbell, June 12, 1874-Feb 10, 1925. 7 Brown, Donnie E., Jul 20, 1927-Jun 12, 1937. 8 Unknown - Wooden Post. 9 Unknown - Wooden Post. 10 Mobley, William Johnie, 1875-1930. 11 Mobley, MaudE., Jan 11, 1908-Mar 27, 1908. 12 Infant son of Mr & Mrs W. J. Mobley, May 16, 1909-May 25, 1909. 13 Bacon, William J., Father, Apr 15, 1860-Sept 2, 1918. 14 Bacon, Mary Jane, wife of W.J. Bacon, Apr 27, 1870-Mar 25, 1918. 15 Ray, Richard D., Father, Mar 28, 1866-Feb 26, 1936. 16 Unknown - Concrete block foot marker, no identification. 17 Ray, Rebecca A., wife of R. D. Ray, May 21, 1867-Apr 15, 1916. 18 Ray,Minnie,dau of Mr & Mrs R. D. Ray, Feb 14, 1898-April, 1918. 19 Unknown - Concrete block marker, no identification. 20 Unknown - Grave marked with bricks. 21 Infant dau of Mr & Mrs B.F. Ray, born & died Jun 16, 1902. 22 Infant son of Mr & Mrs B. F. Ray, born & died Jun 15, 1901. 23 Unknown 24 Ray, Dollie May, dau of J.H. & Martha Ray, Feb 13, 1913-Aug 10, 1913. 25 Mobley, Grace, 1927-1932. 26 Mobley, Elizabeth, wife of James E. Mobley, Sept 5, 1854-Sept 1, 1912. Note: “The Willie Community” book lists her as Elizabeth Swindel. Her maiden name was Joicie Elizabeth Swindle. 27 Infant dau of Mr & Mrs W.B. Ray, born & died Sept 6, 1901. 28 Infant dau of Mr & Mrs R.D. Ray, Apr 20, 1904-May 20, 1904. 29 Ray, Anna, May 18, 1894-May 25, 1894. 30 Ray, Zola, Nov 20, 1892-Sept 20, 1893. 31 Ray, Darling, Jan 20, 1893-Apr 18, 1895. 32 Ray, Bulah, Feb 10, 1903-Mar 10, 1903. 33 Ray, Mary M., dau of E.S., Jr. & S. I. Ray, Apr 15, 1885-Jul 13, 1886. 33A Todd, Allen Richmond, Father, Feb 13, 1891-May 31, 1980. 34 Todd, Maybe!!, Mother, Feb 29, 1892-Apr 11, 1953. 35 Todd, Laura Laverne, dau of Maybell & A.R. Todd, Jan 11, 1925-May 4, 1928. 36 Todd, Charles Newten, Father, Sept 23, 1858-May 31, 1935. 37 Todd, Laura A., Jul 8, 1862-Jul 20, 1938. 38 Todd, Charles Truet, son of C.N. & L.A. Todd, Oct 29, 1889-May 22, 1936. 39 Altman, Mary Rebecca Todd, Mother, Feb 26, 1894-Nov 27, 1980. 40 Minnie Lee Todd Butler, Oct 3, 1895-Aug 5, 1982. 41 Ray, Frank, died Jan 24, 1938. 42 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 43 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 44 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 45 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 46 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 47 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 48 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 49 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 50 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 51 Unknown - Previously found, but no sign of grave 6/12/90. 52 Unknown - Marble marker, no inscription. 53 Wallace, Theron - Marble marker, no dates. 54 Mobley, Mavis, dau of Coy & Elene Mobley, Feb 22, 1934.