HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC - CEMETERIES - Rocky Branch Baptist Church Cemetery Part 1 of 2 ===================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca Howell [DERWYDN@aol.com] on September 5, 2001 ===================================================== Rocky Branch Baptist Church Cemetery Rocky Branch Allens Creek Waynesville Haywood County, NC Surveyed on August 27, 2001 by Rebecca Howell Rocky Branch Baptist Church is located at the end of Allens Creek Road. There is a sign at the turn off for the church. The cemetery is on the hill beside the church. Rocky Branch Baptist Church was established in 1888 and the cemetery is at least that old. The middle part of the cemetery, from bottom to top, is apparently the oldest part of the cemetery. Most of the graves in this part are marked only by a cement brick which has been placed there in later years. These bricks have no form of identification on them, they merely mark the site of a grave. In other parts of the cemetery, cement slabs have been hand-painted with the name or initials of the deceased. It would appear that every effort has been made to mark every gravesite and identify as many as possible. This cemetery is well maintained and cared for. Decoration at Rocky Branch is the last Sunday of every August and I was there the day after Decoration. The cemetery was beautiful. Almost every grave was covered with flowers. This cemetery is still in use. The oldest readable marker in this cemetery is the marker for Thomas, son of E. L. & P. Rhinehart, died October 25, 1898, aged 3 years. No person is ever truly dead until the last person forgets to remember them. Conard--double headstone Roy S. Conard May 12, 1915 January 4, 1988 Katie M. June 7, 1916 January 3, 1998 footstone Roy S. Conard May 12, 1915 January 4, 1988 Hayden Caldwell July 29, 1913 June 30, 1978 Military marker Hayden Caldwell PVT US Army World War II 1913--1978 Ruby L. Caldwell May 27, 1919 May 10, 1973 Minnie R. Wright August 18, 1889 ?? ??, 1946 **The information on this marker has been hand painted.** John R. Wright December 15, 1898 December 14, 1925 **The information on this marker has been hand painted.** Swanger--double headstone Myra Crawford May 27, 1882 February 28, 1963 William L. February 19, 1879 August 30, 1956 Swanger--double headstone Parolee Swanger Ellison November 5, 1911 February 24, 1973 Martha Belle Swanger April 20, 1913 March 15, 1990 Double headstone Myra Nell Metcalf January 7, 1938 December 13, 1974 Shelba Paxton Rice March 18, 1954 February 15, 1975 Swanger--double headstone William C. 1924--1982 Thelma V. 1913--1981 married May 8, 1948 Infant marker Cagle no other information on marker Infant marker Cagle no other information on marker Infant marker Cagle no other information on marker Infant marker Cagle no other information on marker Cagle--double headstone A. Z. August 7, 1921 January 28, 1970 Ruth B. December 31, 1920 January 24, 1995 Finney--double headstone Bert F. October 4, 1900 March 24, 1972 Nora C. July 14, 1901 June 25, 1993 Military marker Bert Finney North Carolina PVT US Army World War II October 4, 1900 March 24, 1972 Military marker Jack Odell Chapman PVT US Army World War II 1911--1980 Frank Chapman August 4, 1903 December 18, 1980 John D. Chapman April 17, 1932 January 14, 1999 Military marker John David Chapman SGT US Army Vietnam April 17, 1932 January 14, 1999 AMADA ANDREA Bobby Gibson Kim Gibson Sarah Gibson Grady Gibson Barbara D. Gibson **The 7 markers above are hand painted on a cement slab with no other information on them.** Lawrence K. Bumgarner May 16, 1903 January 22, 1902 Pauline Sisk Bumgarner January 11, 1918 May 14, 1983 Stokes Bumgarner December 14, 1890 July 14, 1964 hand painted on cement slab Funeral home marker Wells Funeral Home Waynesville, NC Joan R. Ketcherside January 22, 1941 May 3, 2001 Billy Joe Gibson July 21, 1967 February 8, 1977 Infant marker Baby Bumgarner no other inforamtion on stone Wright--double headstone Bill C. May 11, 1912 July 1, 1977 Elizabeth C. March 5, 1924 no death date Military marker Bill L. Wright PFC US Army World War II 1912--1977 Conner--double headstone Mark S. April 25, 1881 February 23, 1943 Mintie W. October 8, 1887 May 17, 1973 Infant marker Lesley Matthew Davis infant son of Robert & Brenda February 26, 1980 March 4, 1980 Conner--double headstone Burlin A., Sr. April 29, 1916 September 5, 1984 Betty M. February 6, 1922 December 31, 1999 Military marker Burlin A. Conner, Sr. PVT US Army World War II April 29, 1916 September 5, 1864 Mull--double headstone & infant marker Steven Henry August 12, 1952 August 12, 1952 son Sarah Georgia Mull July 1, 1915 February 22, 1986 mother Infant marker Linda Lee Riddle daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Roy L. August 31, 1946 October 24, 1946 Riddle--double headstone Roy L. February 24, 1927 September 23, 1991 Beryle M. May 29, 1930 no death date Military marker Roy L. Riddle PVT US Army World War II February 24, 1927 September 23, 1991 Infant marker Dorothy daughter of C. B. & A. A. Daves January 22, 1917 July 15, 1918 Martha Mull Plemmons October 19, 1887 August 14, 1970 Mull--double headstone Loretta Wyatt December 27, 1896 October 26, 1978 Mack Raymond June 7, 1892 March 2, 1945 W. H. Watson 1838--1951 **Hand carved in poured cement.** Watson--double granite column headstone George W. Watson 1851--1917 Nancy Hawkins Watson 1839--1919 Betty Ann Watson Earley October 1, 1878 December 25, 1950 Margrett Watson Huffman August 9, 1878 December 25, 1950 Zilla R. Huffman April 11, 1911 December 4, 1957 Infant marker Elizabeth McGinnis Huffman September 16, 1920 Namon Waldroup November 15, 1852 April 8, 1940 Lands--quadruple headstone & infant marker Pearl L. Jones September 15, 1898 November 5, 1961 Flora May 15, 1907 June 20, 1908 Julia November 7, 1874 November 5, 1941 Beaulah May 5, 1905 March 11, 1967 Infant marker Mary Rebecca Mashburn June 9, 1964 Watson--double headstone Elihu Bazz Watson December 23, 1882 April 11, 1949 his wife Ada Shepard Watson January 30, 1894 February 28, 1978 Infant marker--twins Infants of Mr. & Mrs. Bazz Watson 1916 Military marker Loranzo E. Parker North Carolina Wagoner 1 NC Infantry NC November 2, 1918 Larry Bruce Bumgarner May 17, 1939 April 19, 1900 Bumgarner--double headstone Willis July 1, 1891 October 18, 1972 Pauline F. (**Frady**) June 23, 1906 October 13, 1959 Wright--double headstone Annie Mae November 2, 1914 January 25, 1957 Columbus April 24, 1907 December 9, 1948 Amanda C. Wright October 20, 1876 January 12, 1946 Burress--double headstone Frank Weaver Burress April 22, 1888 August 27, 1960 Emma Conner Burress August 7, 1891 January 23, 1947 Infant marker Thomas G. son of M. E. & M. J. Frazier November 16, 1896 2 yrs, 4 mos, 21 days Infant marker Ollis Burress July 10, 1914 September 1, 1914 Fred Burress August 22, 1917 May 22, 1931 Harriett Hendrix February 14, 1867 September 6, 1942 H. M. Hendrix June 8, 1845 January 25, 1919 Malinda A. wife of H. M. Hendrix February 12, 1846 February 12, 1916 Davis--double headstone Henry W. September 13, 1925 December 21, 1986 Veteran US Navy World War II Florence C. January 20, 1928 no death date Military marker Henry Willaim Davis US Navy World War II September 13, 1925 December 21, 1986 Charles T, Huffman October 15, 1893 March 17, 1927 Infant marker Mattie L. Huffman June 26, 1931 June 5, 1935 Janie daughter of F. L. Golden February 25, 1875 October 15, 1911 Infant marker B. C. Infant son of Ed & Adeline Collie January 5, 1903 Sara Ellen Ball 1906--1947 Infant marker Little Fred son of F. R. & L. V. Huffman July 20, 1906 November 7, 1906 Huffman--double headstone F. Riley 1869--1947 Melvina M. 1869--1947 Sarah wife of E. J. Huffman April 2, 1882 September 16, 1902 E. J. Huffman April 2, 1827 April 11, 1915 John H. Huffman January 3, 1866 August 21, 1925 Thomas Marion Huffman December 11, 1853 May 23, 1931 Infant marker Bobby Joe son of Mr. & Mrs. Z. R. Huffman July 23, 1937 September 30, 1937 Huffman--double headstone Bessie Phillips October 11, 1911 February 23, 1984 Felton Herbert April 13, 1913 October 13, 1983 Military marker Felton H. Huffman CPL US Army World War II April 13, 1913 October 13, 1987 **Year of death is different on stone & military marker.** Infant marker Infant Henry Conner In the 1900's Infant marker Infant Pearl Conner In the 1900's Infant marker Infant Arrey Conner In the 1900's Hendrix--triple headstone Jean November 10, 1880 May 17, 1912 Ernest February 7, 1906 July 20, 1925 Leila Norman Hendrix Rhinehart August 9, 1885 December 18, 1972 Infant marker Frank son of Jean & Leila Hendrix February 5, 1909 May 3, 1909 Infant marker Numa daughter of Jean & Leila Hendrix September 9, 1904 February 3, 1905 Alice Rhinehart May 5, 1907 age 30 yrs. G. W. H. Hendrix December 3, 1909 July 31, 1949 Randy Howard Hill October 10, 1957 April 13, 1978 Thornton William Messer April 14, 1913 March 9, 1998 Mills--double headstone Edna W. 1924--1974 James L. 1921--no death date Mary Jane Mills Riley April 22, 1926 March 8, 1985 Mills--double headstone Rosa Williams Mills May 6, 1903 April 30, 1983 William Shuford March 27, 1903 March 1, 1957 Military marker Harry Lawrence Mills PVT US Army World War II March 17, 1909 May 17, 1985 Robert Sitton no other information **Scratched in cement slab.** Lucille Hoyle November 1, ???? ???? ??, ???? **Scratched in cement slab.** ?? Sitton no other information **Scratched in cement slab.** ???? October 6, 1854 December 16, 1919 Infant marker Thomas son of E. L. & P. Rhinehart October 25, 1898 aged 3 yrs. Infant marker Mary A. Davis July 18, 1902 August 20, 1902 Infant marker Vidie Chandler infant daughter of Jeff & Helen Chandler October 5, 1917 January 11, 1919 Infant marker Harlie Chandler infant son of Jeff & Helen Chandler October 11, 1921 December 31, 1922 Conner--double headstone Gilbert Pink April 8, 1855 May 5, 1929 Minerva C. July 3, 1861 September 7, 1929 Vickie Renee Hedden August 4, 1861 July 11, 1932 Estes Henry Wyatt September 15, 1896 August 31, 1965 Atlas Anders Wyatt June 25, 1902 June 25, 1932 Little Dallas daughter of Mark & Mintie Conner September 19, 1907 March 16, 1914 Joe Conner October 2, 1921 October 8, 1937 Bumgarner--double headstone J. Pinkney September 19, 1869 February 17, 1949 Julia Lanning September 9, 1881 January 3, 1935 Martha Lanning Hopkins January 3, 1871 June 12, 1913 William C. Laning March 10, 1839 March 15, 1910 **Laning is the spelling on the stone.** Rachel Smith Lanning October 12, 1845 March 5, 1923 Infant marker John son of D. L. & M. E. Hopkins June 8, 1907 November 8, 1907 Hester wife of C. W. Lanning August 9, 1872 June 11, 1923 C. W. Lanning April 10, 1871 August 14, 1929 Rogers--double headstone Milburn, Jr. February 4, 1927 December 20, 1998 Nellie S. November 4, 1931 no death date Setzer--double headstone Claude E. November 1, 1935 no death date Dorothy B. September 20, 1921 no death date W. E. Humphrey December 14, 1870 June 28, 1910 Levisa Massey McMahan May 10, 1865 January 27, 1953 William M. Massey December 6, 1836 July 31, 1903 William Burton Lanning September 1, 1880 April 11, 1945 Elizabeth Wright Lanning June 26, 1870 October 30, 1945 Lanning--double headstone Sam Ervin June 26, 1908 November 25, 1979 Hannah Phillips March 5, 1916 July 4, 1990 married November 18, 1934 Wyatt--double headstone John Cling December 17, 1872 September 24, 1959 Rebecca Ogle April 6, 1885 June 22, 1923 Wyatt--double headstone Reverend Manuel C. November 26, 1906 July 3, 1997 Pearl Sprinkle June 24, 1908 no death date George Wyatt January 22, 1878 February 21, 1908 Elisabeth wife of C. L. Estes May 12, 1887 March 18, 1907 Kathleen McClure Davis September 11, 1927 May 10, 1995 McNabb--double headstone Mack November 11, 1870 November 28, 1928 Sarah Crawford October 7, 1870 May 26, 1961 Infant marker Infant of Mr. & Mrs. Will Norman 1924--1924 Bessie McNabb July 22, 1895 February 2, 1914 Mary M. Massie 1868--1959 Vinnie Jackson September 1, 1846 July 8, 1908 Gabe Jackson 1858--1928 Jackson--double headstone Fred June 3, 1887 January 25, 1951 Nora July 3, 1897 April 13, 1985 Rogers--double headstone J. L. June 27, 1928 no death date Nettie M. May 2, 1933 May 7, 1981 Rogers--double headstone R. Milburn October 7, 1901 September 11, 1968 Annie Mae September 10, 1909 February 20, 1987 Gilmer "Dick" Massie May 14, 1919 February 7, 1985 Elizabeth wife of J. M. Wood August 18, 1847 January 30, 1909 J. M. Wood March 22, 1845 May 12, 1945 **100 years old** Infant marker Clyde Wood September 3, 1916 September 6, 1916 Maud Raines Wood July 5, 1890 July 16, 1921 Infant marker no name on marker June 17, 1904 June 17, 1904 **Legend on marker reads "From mother's arms to the arms of Jesus"** Infant marker Laura Belle Queen June 23, 1903 October 14, 1903 James B. Wyatt Veteran of Civil War April 5, 1842 February 17, 1938 Mary Wyatt September 22, 1847 February 11, 1913 Rachel E. Bumgarner January 21, 1863 April 3, 1939 Juvernia Green September 6, 1907 December 9, 1983 Green--double headstone George Taylor July 10, 1877 September 10, 1964 Mattie Wilson March 28, 1882 February 5, 1957 Infant marker Jody Lee Coward May 2, 1969 May 2, 1969 Helen Belt no other information on marker Rith C. Belt no other information on marker Infant marker Little Margueret daughter of W. G. & N. L. Belt May 4, 1907 August 28, 1912 Infant marker Little William son of W. G. & N. L. Belt August 30, 1901 September 9, 1901 Annie Wilson March 25, 1899 aged 54 yrs, 10 mos. Jordan--double headstone Abe Hoyatt April 29, 1909 October 5, 1973 Jessie Wilson October 5, 1911 August 14, 2000 married November 30, 1932 Military marker Abe H. Jordan North Carolina PVT US Army World War II April 29, 1909 October 5, 1973 Infant marker infant son of Mr. & Mrs. A. H. Jordan born & died July 29, 1933 Edward R. Wilson June 14, 1906 December 4, 1940 Infant marker Lucy Lorain daughter of Rufus & Vady Mull September 3, 1920 June 16, 1921 Rhinehart--double headstone Nathan 1880--1922 Addie 1878--1946 Banks--double headstone Nellie R. August 1, 1908 March 4, 1998 Monroe May 26, 1917 November 15, 1996 Norman--double headstone Glenn (Dock) August 3, 1925 December 4, 1995 Mildred Muse December 22, 1929 no death date married August 30, 1947 Norman--double headstone Nathan N. February 13, 1858 May 2, 1934 Mary Watson August 1, 1872 March 9, 1925 Military marker Steven Leonard Rabb SGT US Army Vietnam 1948--1991 Norman--double headstone Derry June 16, 1900 May 17, 1985 Jessie Kuykendall February 21, 1901 May 7, 1979 McClure--double headstone Oma Rhinehart November 12, 1883 November 24, 1962 Lucious Gaither November 4, 1881 January 29, 1953 Samuel E. Cunninghaam 1903--1948 **Hand carved in cement.** Vivian daughter of K. M. & E. C. Cunningham April 23, 1900 July 6, 1935 Rhinehart--double headstone Thomas P. 1844--1919 Angeline M. 1840--1918 Military marker Dewey Edward Rhinehart US Army World War II October 5, 1907 August 27, 1989 HM **hand painted on cement slab** Norman--triple headstone & infant marker Marion 1893--1922 Chester 1921--1938 Rowena 1917--1918 **Legend on marker reads: "Blessed are the early dead."** McClure--double headstone Norman G. April 28, 1916 July 31, 1984 Mattie R. August 1, 1919 February 10, 1987 Military marker Norman G. McClure PVT US Army World War II April 28, 1916 July 31, 1984 Polley Mull March 8, 1871 October 15, 1939 Jerry Mull Januaary 11, 1854 October 8, 1938 Infant marker John H. son of Virginia Hendrix February 15, 1916 November 28, 1916 Norris--double headstone E. Walker August 8, 1922 April 26, 1982 Almarie B. May 10, 1928 March 18, 1994 Tall granite column Hugh Buchanan 1910--1928 Wilson--double headstone Bonner R. November 5, 1927 January 27, 1999 Virginia H. August 13, 1927 no death date Mack E. Constant June 2, 1935 October 18, 1953 Gladys Stalworth Constant April 25, 1911 December 30, 1982 Claude Rhinehart September 8, 1892 December 9, 1979 Lou Annie Green Rhinehart August 10, 1892 November 21, 1956 Joseph William Rhinehart September 11, 1868 November 20, 1949 Rhinehart--double headstone Polly M. August 21, 1866 February 18, 1937 E. L. Sonny August 22, 1865 June 13, 1944 Robinson--double headstone Arthur Earl March 11, 1882 July 2, 1968 Minerva Mull January 8, 1888 July 26, 1969 Mary Mitchel Wyatt December 31, 1905 March 19, 1934 **Died in childbirth of infant below.** Infant marker Geneva Wyatt March 19, 1934 May 13, 1934 Herman Jesse Wyatt November 26, 1900 March 5, 1979 erected by Ethel Wyatt continued in part 2