MERIDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, UNION PARISH, LOUISIANA Submitted by James T. Ballard ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS IN THE MERIDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERIES UNION PARISH, LA OCTOBER, 1998 PART A: Introduction: The Meridian Baptist Church building is located in Union Parish, Louisiana. It is about 6 miles west of Marion, LA, on parish road 6616. This Missionary Baptist Church was organized in October, 1856 and closed in 1976. The church building is on the line between setions 14 and 15, township 22 north, range 1 east. In the west cemetery the latitude is north 32 degrees 53.805 minutes and the longitude is west 92 degrees 20.648 minutes. Church minutes indicate both white pioneers and a few slaves in attendance in this congregation prior to the civil war. This was a very active church until the fertile soil of the sandy-clay hills became depleted and the farms no longer were competitive. The minutes of this church are available in the special collections of the Louisiana Tech University library in Ruston, LA. Two separate fenced cemeteries are a part of the Meridian Church grounds. A total of 148 marked graves are in these enclosures. These cemeteries will be identified for this document as Meridian Baptist Church West Cemetery and Meridian Baptist Church South Cemetery. Both of these burial grounds are well maintained. The inscriptions from the monuments were copied in October, 1998 by James T. Ballard and Jerry D. Daniels. This document was compiled and prepared by Nancy Hall Ballard. PART B: MERIDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH WEST CEMETERY, UNION PARISH, LA, OCTOBER, 1998: This is the younger and larger of the two cemeteries located with the Meridian Baptist church. It is on Union Parish road #6616 and is due west of the church building. Residents of the community believe that this burial ground contains only the remains of persons of European ancestry. There are 103 marked graves in this cemetery. The inscriptions in the south(other) cemetery are presented later in this document. Entries are in the following format: Name; Birth date; Death date; Notes; Epitaphs or other inscriptions. * Corrections submitted March 12, 2000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALLARD, Annie Gooing; Aug 19, 1860; Feb 22, 1949; see also John Ballard. BALLARD, Collins; Nov 11, 1898; Sep 19, 1899; Son of John and Annie Gooing Ballard. BALLARD, Emest Edward; Mar 17, 1897; Nov 20, 1968; monument with Ossie Little Ballard. BALLARD, John; Nov 15, 1861; May 1, 1936; monument with Annie Gooing. BALLARD, Ossie Little; Jan 12, 1910; Sep 14, 1970; see also Emest Edward Ballard. BALLARD, Rosalie; see Rosalie Ballard Ingram White. BILBERRY, Henry; Apr 24, 1873; Sep 29, 1898; aged 25yrs 5ms 5ds; Husband of Bessie Bilberry. * BOOKER, Mae Ola; Nov 14, 1912; Jan 17, 2000, temporary marker. BRASHER, Mary J.; Aug 22, 1847; Jan 29, 1908. BRASHER, Mollie; Jul 16, 1870; Feb 2, 1936; In loving memory of our mother dear, she was the sunshine of our home. BRASHER, W. Y.; May 10, 1861; Dec 24, 1904; God's finger touched him and he slept. BURSON; no other inscription. COBB, Effie D., see Effie D. Cobb Moore. COBB, Emmett G., Mar 18, 1917; Aug 8, 1918; Asleep in Jesus. COBB, Ila G.; See Ila G. Cobb Phelps COBB, James A.; Feb 14, 1909; Mar 1, 1958. COBB, Leonard Columbus; 1877; 1943; monument with Odessa Moffeit Cobb; Rest is thine, sweet remembrance ours. COBB, Loy; 1908, 1910. COBB, Massa White; 1871; 1962. COBB, Maud; 1905, 1908. COBB, Odessa Moffeit; 1879; 1956; see also Leonard Columbus Cobb. COBB, W. W.; Oct 24, 1844; Jan 25, 1928. COLEMAN, Cascile O.; Oct 11, 1919; no death date; see also Velle G. Coleman. COLEMAN, Velle G.; Dec 30, 1912; Mar 25, 1997; monument with Cascile O. Coleman. COOPER, C. Marshal; 1835; 1903; monument with Mary Robinson Cooper. COOPER, Dexter; Apr 5, 1872; Oct 4, 1898; son of C. M. and Lizzie Cooper; Here lies one who in this life was a kind brother, a devoted son. COOPER, Mary Robinson; 1842; 1918; see also C. Marshal Cooper. COOPER, Sidney A.; 1867; 1953; monument with Zorelda Cooper. COOPER, Zorelda; 1884; 1905; see also Sidney A. Cooper. COX, Lucinda; died Nov 4, 1878; wife of W. R. Cox. DANIEL, Andrew Jackson; Oct 12, 1850; Mar 2, 1903; monument with Cora Ann Daniel. Remember friends as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now you soon will be, prepare for death to follow me. DANIEL, Cora Ann; Dec 1, 1851; Apr 1, 1889; see also Andrew Jackson Daniel. DANIEL, Guthrie; Jun 21, 1885; Mar 7, 1907; Son of Richard and Mamie Daniel; killed in Little Rock, Arkansas. DANIEL, Lovie; Dec 8, 1914; Oct 18, 1915; Daughter of David Richard and Mary Daniel; From mother's arms to the arms of Jesus. FRISBY, Viola May; Macy 23, 1879; Jan 21, 1913; age 32 yr 7ms 29 ds; In memory of Viola May wife and twin daughters of G. L. Frisby; She was the sunshine of our home. GANDY, Cleo; Oct 22, 1885; Jan 15, 1899. GANDY, Lizzie; 1867; Apr 14, 1909. GOOING, Annie; see Annie Gooing Ballard. GREEN, Jesse A.; 1879; 1966; monument with Lenora A. Green. GREEN, Lenora A.; 1875; 1959; see also Jesse A. Green. HAIR, Fannie Bell; Dec 16, 1880; Mar 16, 1881; suffer little children to come unto me. HOWARD, Fob Ed; died Jan 17, 1909. HOWARD, John B., Sr; Sep 19, 1868; Feb 21, 1914; Rest is thine, sweet remembrance ours. INGRAM, Rosalie; see Rosalie Ballard Ingram White. James B; Feb 7, 1880; Jul 13, 1880; see also Minnie. LITTLE, Ossie; see Ossie Little Ballard. MCNEIL, Elesie (Mac); Dec 17, 1904; Jan 11, 1988; monument with Myrtle Taylor McNeil. MCNEIL, Myrtla Taylor; June 7, 1924; see also Elesie McNeil. MILSTEAD, James A.; June 12, 1912; July 8, 1912; Son of J. A. and Amelia Milstead; Asleep in Jesus. MILSTEAD, Joseph N.; Jan 23, 1858; Sep 30, 1934; monument with Maud C. Milstead. MILSTEAD, Maud C.; Nov 22, 1869; Feb 24, 1952; see also Joseph N. Milstead. Minnie; Feb 9, 1878; Aug 24, 1879; monument with James B.; no last names; Gone to be an agel, gone to a better land. MOFFEIT, Odessa; see Odessa Moffeit Cobb. MOORE, Effie D. Cobb; Apr 12, 1884; Dec 16, 1980; see also Louia Thomas Moore. MOORE, G. M.; Sep 5, 1849; Aug 20, 1916; at rest. MOORE, James C.; Aug 8, 1871; Dec 5, 1900; Husband of Marrie Moore. MOORE, Little Olive Lee; Jul 4, 1910; Oct 24, 1912; daughter of Louia and Effie Moore; Budded on earth to bloom in heaven. MOORE, Louia Thomas; May 13, 1875; Oct 30, 1939; monument with Effie D. Cobb Moore; They gave their today for our tomorrow. MOORE, Mattie; Sep 23, 1951; May 15, 1922; wife of George Moore; We miss dear mother's face while here these few years we remain, then we shall see through eternity thy lovely face again. MOORE, Mollie O.; Jul 19, 1876; Feb 13, 1926; wife of J. M. Oliver; Rest mother, rest in quiet sleep. While friends in sorrow o'er thee weep. MOORE, Roxie E.; Aug 10, 1882; Jan 15, 1900; daughter of ? and M. S. Moore; aged 17 yr 9 mo 5 ds. NELSON, Theola; see Theola Nelson Taylor. OLIVER, Cascile; see Cascile O. Coleman. OLIVER, Chester D.; May 27, 1893; Feb 10, 1982; monument with Lorena R. Oliver; married Mar 4, 1914. OLIVER, Infant; 05 Aug 1924; son of J. M. And Mary Oliver; Gone to be an angel. OLIVER, Infant; Sep 6, 1902; Oct 5, 1902. Daughter of J. M. and W. C. Oliver; A little flower of love that blossomed our today. Transplanted now above to bloom with God on high. OLIVER, James M.; Feb 1, 1867; Nov 10, 1935; Woodmen of the World tree stump monument. OLIVER, Lorena R.; Aug 19, 1895; Dec 12, 1984; see also Chester D. Oliver. OLIVER, Mollie O. Moore; See Mollie O. Moore. OLIVER, Willie C.; Oct 2, 1871; Sep 17, 1907; Wife of J. M. Oliver; age 36 yrs 11ms 15 ds; Here lies one who in this life was a good mother and true wife. She was by many virtues blest, and piety among the best. PERKINS, Elder; 1919; 1920. PHELPS, Ila G. Cobb; Jan 5, 1903; Mar 6, 1995; Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. PLATT, Ophelia Taylor; March 23, 1919; Jul 1, 1992; see also William Arthur Platt. PLATT, William Arthur; Feb 20, 1913; Oct 1, 1983; monument with Ophelia Taylor Platt. ROBINSON, Mary; see Mary Robinson Cooper. SIMS, B. K.,; Apr 12, 1828; Nov 20, 1911; monument with Mary J. Sims; Yet why should we grieve when in death a reward we receive. SIMS, Mary J.; Mar 29, 1839; Jul 9, 1900; see also B. K. SIMS. SMITH, Ezro; Feb 21, 1900; Oct 12, 1925; Gone but not forgotten. SMITH, Ezzie; see Ezzie Smith TAYLOR. SMITH, Hettie M.; Dec 7, 1890; Nov 24, 1918; Sleep on dear wife and take thy rest, for we know what God appoints is best. SMITH, Infant; Feb 5, 1906; Feb 13, 1906; daughter of S. B. and Amelia Smith; A little flower of love that blossomed but to die, Transplanted now above to bloom with God on high. SMITH, Infant; Jul 26, 1912; Aug 3, 1912; daughter of J. P. and H. M. Smith. SMITH, Irline; Jan 7, 1899; Oct 3, 1906; daughter of S. B. and Amelia Smith. SMITH, Jimmie C.; Oct 23, 1909; Mar 25, 1910; son of J. P. and H. M. Smith; Our loved one. SMITH, Jimmie F.; Oct 30, 1854; Oct 8, 1977; Daughter of Samuel and Martha Smith. SMITH, Little Sam; Nov 25, 1907; Dec 24, 1907; son of S. B. and Amelia Smith; Sleep on little babe and take thy rest. God called thee home He thought it best. SMITH, Louisiana; Aug 20, 1856; Apr 20, 1893; Wife of Maurice Smith; Greave not for me my loved ones, dream, I am not dead but sleeping here, I was not yours but Christ's alone, He loved me best and took me home. SMITH, Martha; May 1, 1830; March 14, 1902; see also Samuel Smith. SMITH, Samuel; Mar 27, 1824; Jul 2, 1890; monument with Martha Smith; A precious one from us is gone, a voice we love is stilled, a place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled. SMITH, Verdie O.; May 6, 1898; Oct 30, 1898; daughter of Rev. W. T. and A. Smith; Gone but not forgotten. SMITH, William B.; Jul 26, 1862; Nov 25, 1899; husband of Mattie E. Smith; Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep. STANCIL, Elmer; Sep 10, 1894; Dec 17, 1900; Son of Jessee W. and Laura B. STANCIL. STANCIL, Gladney; Oct 4, 1897; Jun 17, 1898; Son of J. W. and L. R. Stancil. * TAYLOR, Cindy D.; Oct 26, 1961; Feb 14, 2000, temporary marker. TAYLOR, Clara; Mar 25, 1921; Dec 28, 1921; Only sleeping. TAYLOR, Ezzie Smith; Feb 21, 1900; Mar 30, 1959; see also Marion Taylor. TAYLOR, Frances P.; Jul 3, 1847; Apr 19, 1924; see also James H. Taylor. TAYLOR, James H.; Jan 14, 1859; Mar 4, 1934; monument with Frances P. Taylor. TAYLOR, Marian (Newt); Feb 3, 1889; Oct 29, 1940; monument with Ezzie Smith TAYLOR; Tender mother and faithful friend, Gone but not forgotten. * TAYLOR, Fred Marion; Jun 30, 1937; Jun 25, 1992; monument with Theola Nelson Taylor; married Mar 12 1965; daughters Tina and Amanda; also marked with government bronze plaque SFC US Army, Christian faith. TAYLOR, Mrs. J. D.; Jan 8, 1845; Mar 7, 1920; mother; sweet be thy sleep. TAYLOR, Myrtle; see Myrtle Taylor McNeil. TAYLOR, Ophelia; see Ophelia Taylor Platt. TAYLOR, Richard; Dec 30, 1930; Jan 23, 1931; Only sleeping. TAYLOR, Theola Nelson; Jun 30, 1932, no death date; see also Marion Fred Taylor. THOMPSON, Eddie; Sep 6, 1892; Jun 24, 1893; Son of Dr. O. H. And Mollie Thompson. THOMPSON, Oliver R.; Apr 21, 1905; Jul 21, 1906; Son of Dr. O. H. and Mollie Thompson. WALKER, Charlie M.; Oct 2, 1866; May 14, 1951; monument with Nannie B. Walker. WALKER, Frances E.; Nov 12, 1829; Aug 7, 1908; see also Wesley W. Walker. * WALKER, John Ashley; Nov 3, 1905; Jul 09, 1999; monument with Selma T. Walker. WALKER, Nannie B.; Mar 13, 1882; Aug 29, 1978; see also Charlie M. Walker. WALKER, Onie; Sep 6, 1888; Mar 30, 1889; daugher of W. W. and E. L. Walker; Our darling sleeps sweetly here. WALKER, Selma T.; Mar 31, 1907; Feb 28, 1979. See also J. Ashley Walker. WALKER, Wesley W.; Feb 16, 1859; Mar 31, 1897. WALKER, Wesley W.; Jan 6, 1825; Apr 17 1914; monument with Frances E. Walker (his wife); The dead in Christ are surely blest for they passed his heavenly test. WALLACE, Mary B.; May 12, 1823; May 11, 1875; wife of Rev. John B. Wallace; As a wife, devoted, as a mother, affectionate, as a friend ever kind and true. WHITE, Rosalie Ballard Ingram; 1889; 1968; wife of 1) Burl T. Ingram; 2) William M. White. WHITE, William Murphy; Dec 31, 1880; Mar 9, 1957; husband of Rosalie Ballard Ingram White. End of the list for Meridian Baptist Church West Cemetery. PART C: Meridian Baptist Church South Cemetery, Union Parish LA, October, 1998: This is the older and smaller of the two cemeteries around Meridian Baptist Church. It is on Union Parish Road #6616 and due south of the church building. The remains of non-slaveholders, slaveholders and descendents of slaves are all buried in this cemetery. One could use the church minutes and local census, succession and conveyance records to establish the ethnic origins of them. No attempt is made here. There are 45 marked graves in this cemetery. Unmarked graves have been reported. Entries are in the following format: Name; Birth date; Death date; Notes; Epitaphs or other inscriptions. ARCHER, Little Brock; Aug 5, 1887; Dec 18, 1912; age: 25 yrs, 4 mo 3 ds. BAKER, Iro; 1867; 1908; monument with Martha Baker; father. BAKER, Martha; 1875; 1945; mother; see also Iro Baker, BENSON, Octavia; 1900; 1951; age 51; Beloved wife of Henry Benson. At rest. BILBERRY, Eliza B. Jr.; Dec 9, 1856; Aug 25, 1887; on south side of a spire inscribed BILBERRY. BILBERRY, George W.; Oct 27, 1858; Nov 8, 1884; on south side of a spire inscribed BILBERRY. BILBERRY, James M.; Jun 24, 1854; Sep 10, 1862; on north side of a spire inscribed BILBERRY. BILBERRY, Louisa; May 10, 1862; Oct 11, 1862; on north side of a spire inscribed BILBERRY. BILBERRY, Mahala; see Elisha Bilberry. BILBERRY, Mary J.; Jul 24, 1835; Mar 2, 1865; Wife of E. B. Bilberry; on west side of a spire inscribed BILBERRY. BRASHIER, Elisha; 1827; Dec 14, 1852; age 25; Husband of Mahala Bilberry. BRUTON, Wm. David McM., Dr.; died Aug 30, 1877, Aged 49 yr, 10 mo. BURCH, Dettie; see Dettie Burch Sawyer. BURCH, Edward; Jul 2, 1909; Feb 2, 1986; monument with Odessa E. Burch; Rest is thine and sweet rememberance ours. BURCH, Hannah; Jan 1, 1883; May 31, 1968; next to Rodell Burch; wife of Rodell Burch; She was the sunshine of our home. BURCH, Jesse; Mar 31, 1917; Mar 31, 1986; Brother; He was beloved by God and man. BURCH, Lorenza; Dec 12, 1923; Dec 15, 1996; Brother; US Army Korea; I have finished my course I have kept the faith. BURCH, Loties; Mar 2, 1913; Jan 11, 1996; US Army World War II. BURCH, Odessa E.; Aug 12, 1917; Jan 29, 1990; see also Edward Burch. BURCH, Rodell; Apr 25, 1875; Apr 6, 1939; next to Hannah Burch; husband of Hannah Burch; father; Gone but not forgotten. CLARK, Eliza F.; Dec 18, 1853; Aug 10, 1900; wife of T. W. Clark; My wife's grave; O 'twill be sweet to meet on that blest shore, all sorrows past, all pains forever o'ere. CLARK, James G; Jul 27, 1941; Louisiana; Pvt 137 Spruce SQ. COOPER, Anna; Apr 6, 1798; Dec 11, 1857; Aged 58 yrs. 8 mos, DOUGLAS, Angeline; Died Dec 18, 1969. DOUGLAS, Grady; Feb 14, 1917; Jun 9, 1994; TEC 5 US Army. DOUGLAS, Ike; 1895; 1958; age 63; Our beloved husband and father; Asleep in Jesus. ELLIS, Claude; Mar 13, 1906; Oct 22, 1976; next to Lottie Wayne Ellis; Rest is thine, Sweet remembrance ours. ELLIS, Elsie Mae; see Elsie Mae Ellis Jackson. ELLIS, George; Dec 2, 1883; Apr 8, 1909; son of Rance and Georgean Ellis; May the resurrection find thee on the bosom of thy God. ELLIS, Georgia Ann; Dec 18, 1866; Jan 26, 1958. ELLIS, Henry; May 8, 1818; Jan 8, 1911; next to Judia Ellis, age 93 yrs., 4 mos., 8 dys., born in Nashville, TN; He died as he lived a Christian. ELLIS, James; Jun 14, 1885; Sep 10, 1900. Son of Rance and Georgean Ellis; O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory. ELLIS, Jess; Jul 6, 1887; Aug 7, 1966; monument with Rosetta George Ellis; A life like theirs has left a record sheet for many to dwell upon. ELLIS, Johnnie H.; Mar 14, 1903; Nov 28, 1990; monument with Sarah M. Ellis; I have kept the faith. ELLIS, Judia; born 1826 in GA; Jul 18, 1900; next to Henry Ellis; age 74 years; wife of Henry Ellis. A member of the Missionary Baptist church for 50 years, farewell faithful loved one. ELLIS, Lorenzo; Oct 17, 1854; Jul 29, 1917; Father; Farewell my wife and children all from you a father Christ doth call. ELLIS, Lottie Wayne; Nov 11, 1909; Jun 15, 1993; next to Claude Ellis; In his will our peace. ELLIS, Otis, Sr.; Apr 2, 1900; Jul 10, 1965; Gone but not forgotten. ELLIS, Rosetta George; Mar 12, 1899; Jun 25, 1981; see also Jess Ellis. ELLIS, Sarah M.; March 15, 1911; Jul 21, 1986; see also Johnnie H. Ellis. FINDLAY, H. J.; Mar 12, 1845; Feb 13, 1853; Daughter of ??y Findlay (monument broken). GEORGE, Rosetta; see Rosetta George Ellis. JACKSON, Elsie Mae Ellis; Feb 14, 1893; Jun 14, 1978; see also Robert Jackson. JACKSON, Robert; Jul 5, 1889; no death date; monument with Elsie Mae Ellis Jackson. REAVES, Emma L.; died Dec 17, 1887; Aged 17 yrs; 8 ms, 14 ds,; A precious one from us is taken, a voice we love is stilled, A place is vacated in our home which never can be filled; Rosebrough. RHODES, Mary I.; Jan 22, 1820; Aug 12, 1851 wife of John B. Robinson; The pains of death are past, labor and sorrow cease, And life's long warfare dead at last, her soul is found in peace; On the bottom 1/4 of this monument is the inscription: In memory of Sidney son of J. B. And Mary I. Robinson born Oct 14, 1844; lost his life Dec 27, 1861 in defence of Vicksburg, Mississippi. ROBERTS, Nellie Mae; 1924; 1952; age 28; beloved daughter of Ike Douglas; At peace with Jesus. ROBINSON, Mary I. Rhodes; see Mary I. Rhodes. ROBINSON, Sidney; See Mary I. Rhodes. SAWYER, Dettie Burch; Feb 2, 1906; Jan 27, 1994; A loving mother and a faithful friend. SHOOTS, Ethel; My beloved daughter at rest. St Louis. WAYNE, Lottie; see Lottie Wayne Ellis. End of the list for Meridian Baptist Church South Cemetery. # # #