Joseph W. Rudisill, Vernon Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Jane P. McManus
Date: October 23, 2008

************************************************** 
Copyright. All rights reserved. 
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm 
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm 
************************************************** 

RUDISILL, Joseph W. (Elder) was born 24 Aug 1848 Geneva AL and died 26 
Jun 1926 LA. He married Miranda Maddox who was born 1838 or 1844 AL 
(census records list 1844 as birthdate as she was 5 years older than 
her husband while a handlettered tombstone lists birthdate as 1838 or 
10 years older than her husband). Miranda (Maddox) Rudisill died 1915 
LA. They are buried in Blue Branch Cemetery, Pitkin (Vernon) LA. 

Elder Rudisill was an early minister at Walnut Hill Baptist Church, 
Laurel Hill Baptist Church, both in Vernon Parish. He also served many 
other churches in the Central Louisiana area. His obit was entered in 
the LA Baptist Associational Meeting in 1926.

“Rudisill, Elder Joseph W. departed this life June 26, A.D. 1926 at his 
late residence near Pitkin. Brother Rudisill was born August 24, 1848 at 
Geneva, Alabama, was at his death 77 years 10 months and 2 days. Moved to 
this parish as a small boy, was ordained to preach December 25, A.D. 1881, 
by Elder B.O. Owens and Mike Smith. Brother Rudisill preached for 45 years, 
in the Association, pastoring many churches. He attended every session of 
Missionary Baptist Association having attended 54 annual sessions. Brother 
Rudisill leaves a devoted wife, 3 sons, and 7 grandchildren. One brother 
kept a record by him showing 5,785 brought into the Church, preached 655 
funerals, marriages performed 457.”  

On the 1880 census, there were 3 children listed: 
(1) William Green (born ca 1868 LA & died 1939 LA), married to Ida Jackson, 
daughter of Henry I. Jackson & Fannie Mason; both buried Hemphill Star 
Cemetery, Hot Wells (Rapides) LA; (2) James O. (1869 LA); (3) Joseph W. 
Rudisill Jr. (born 1871 LA), married 26 December 1895 to Clara Alva Carruth 
(22 August 1876/9 March 1911).  
 
Sources:
1880 US Population Schedules, LA (Vernon), Household # 127.

McManus, Jane P. & Parker, Essie T., Laurel Hill Missionary Baptist Church 
Vernon Parish, Louisiana 1869 – 1920, Its People and Its History, Parker 
Enterprises, Englewood CO, 1988.

McManus, Jane P., Walnut Hill Church, Vernon Parish LA (book from June 23 
1866 to March 19, 1893), unpublished manuscript, Alexandria LA, 1995.

McManus, Jane P., Pioneers West of Appalachia (Revised), Parker Enterprises, 
Ball LA, 1984.