Bexar County, TX - CEMETERIES - Salem Cemetery, Adkins, Texas **************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jimmie Scruggs Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************** Salem Cemetery Adkins, Texas In 1882 Mr. Ebon Von Roy deeded four acres on the Calaveras Creek to the trustees of Salem-Sayers Baptist Church to be used for a church site and a non-denominational school. In 1886 the Trustees of Salem-Sayers Baptist Church executed an exchange deed with C. C. Baker, trading the four acres on the Calaveras Creek for three acres west of the Chupederas Creek. This tract was evidently set aside to be used as a cemetery. Old maps have been destroyed, but existing records indicate the cemetery was laid out in about 130 family plots which contain approximately 1400 grave sites. The first recorded grave site used was for Elizabeth E. Saunders in 1893. Since that date, more than seven hundred burials have been recorded. In 1956 the Salem-Sayers Baptist Church passed a resolution declaring their intention of releasing responsibility for the cemetery and suggesting that an association be formed of lot owners. The church deeded the cemetery to the association in 1974. The association functioned until 1975 when a non-profit corporation was formed. The cemetery is now operated with a perpetual care and regular maintenance fund. In 2001 two acres were purchased to bring the cemetery to five acres. In 1974 Rebecca Travis and Clyde James did the groundwork to start the Salem Cemetery Association. Using charters from other cemeteries, they had a lawyer draw up our charter and establish the perpetual care fund. They used a large map of the cemetery provided by a surveyor, that showed where each family plot was located, to start mapping each lot. Rebecca and Clyde made individual maps of each family plot that showed the positions of each grave and who was buried there. These maps are in the book we still use today for new burials and plot information. They asked each family to contribute to the perpetual care fund. Each family that contributed was given a certificate showing their spaces. All new spaces are sold with the perpetual care fee included. This fund today is in excess of $50,000. The interest from this fund is used to maintain the cemetery. Prior to the formation of the Association, individuals would come to mow, trim and clean the grounds on their own. Frank Sligh served as our secretary-treasurer from 1993 to 2002. He added to the maps of our new property, did the books and sold spaces. His service is greatly missed. Frank was always cheerful and willing to help. Clyde passed away in October of 2002, just short of his 95th birthday. He was survived by his sons, Wayne K. James of Adkins, TX and Joe L. James of Granbury, TX; daughter Mrs. James W. Tudhope; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; and a sister Rebecca Travis. Frank passed away April 28th of this year. Frank was survived by his wife of 52 years, Patsy Engle Sligh; children and spouses, Melodye and Bernard Pieniazek, David and Rynda Sligh and Laura and Donald Aten; grandchildren, Megan and Stephen Dove, Erik Pieniazek, Spencer and Matthew Sligh, Kate and Kris Aten. Rebecca has retired from her cemetery work. She lives in Sayers and has two sons, Daniel and Richard Travis. Daniel and his wife Jackline have three girls, Danielle, Lisa and Jennifer. Richard and his wife have four children and three grandchildren. As a token of our thanks, we wish to honor their names and works with the plaque presented here today. This will be mounted at the entrance of the cemetery so all who pass by will be reminded of their service. Their families should be very proud of their works. Salem Cemetery Association Richard Travis, President Betty Lee, Vice President Gladys Scruggs, sec-treas Bryan Jordan, Director Robert Hasenbeck, Director