CHARLESTON CHURCH & CEMETERY: Charleston Cemetery is located on the relatively quiet highway of 179 on the west side of Charleston United Methodist Church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July of 2002. (NRHP No. 02000811)
Many of my family members are buried in this cemetery. They include the founder of Bozo’s Bar-B-Que, Thomas Jefferson Williams, along with his wife and children.
Below you will find a list of people buried in the cemetery.
| NAME | DOB | DOD | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, Ann J | 29 Mar 1910 | 24 Dec 1948 | |
| Archer, Daniel | 11 Apr 1838 | 5 May 1912 | |
| Archer, Frank B | 1897 | 1933 | |
| Archer, J M | 15 Jul 1846 | 19 Jul 1916 | |
| Archer, John Abner | 2 Apr 1865 | 2 Dec 1900 | |
| Archer, Joseph | 24 Aug 1925 | 24 Aug 2004 | |
| Archer, Josie Mai | 11 May 1889 | 07 Apr 1965 | Madien name: Carroll |
| Archer, Lillian | 24 Mar 1892 | 27 Dec 1896 | Daughter of W D & S E Archer |
| Archer, Lona Mildred | 27 Mar 1915 | 20 Aug 1913 | |
| Archer, Mary Alice | 1 Jun 1848 | 20 Aug 1913 | |
| Archer, Mary Ann | 20 Oct 1834 | 26 Oct 1922 | Wife of Dan Archer |
| Archer, Thomas W | 1 Jun 1861 | 8 Dec 1880 | |
| Archer, William Wiley Jr | 8 Jul 1917 | 12 Sep 2004 | |
| Archer, William W | 13 Feb 1871 | 9 Jul 1943 | |
| Atkins, Margaret R | 9 Jul 1920 | 20 Nov 1980 | maiden name: Selph |
| Baker, Thelma Easley | 21 Mar 1918 | 4 Jul 1988 | |
| Ballard, Helene Marie | 12 Oct 1919 | 24 Jul 1982 | Double stone with Thomas Woodrow Ballard |
| Ballard, Thomas Woodrow | 20 Jul 1918 | 9 Mar 1980 | Double stone with Helene Marie Ballard |
| Barron, J W | |||
| Baskin, Lillie Mae (Rose) | 15 Jan 1900 | 4 Jan 1980 | Double marker with Mattie Yount (Transcription: Rose Sisters) |
| Baucum, John Gilliam | 19 Jun 1854 | 25 Apr 1918 | |
| Baucum, Louisiana Caroline | 11 Sep 1861 | 20 Jan 1938 | maiden name: Pace |
| Baxter, Carl H | 18 Sep 1913 | 25 Oct 1963 | Double marker with Katherine S Baxter |
| Baxter, Gertrude Floyd | 5 Sep 1910 | 12 Jun 1986 | |
| Baxter, H W | 18 Aug 1899 | 22 Nov 1983 | Double marker with wife, Virgie Floyd Baxter |
| Baxter, Jessie Jewel | 6 Jan 1913 | 23 Feb 1997 | |
| Baxter, John Earl | 11 Sep 1918 | 14 Mar 1920 | Son of H W & Virgie Baxter |
| Baxter, John Samuel | 5 Apr 1908 | 25 Jul 1912 | |
| Baxter, Julie Virgie | 4 Sep 1892 | 29 Oct 1938 | Maiden Name: Floyd |
| Baxter, Katherine S | 7 Sep 1914 | 20 Oct 2000 | Double marker with Carl H Baxter |
| Baxter, Laura Y | 10 Dec 1866 | 23 Nov 1962 | Maiden Name: Yarbro |
| Baxter, Lena | 20 Aug 1886 | 6 Feb 1921 | Maiden Name: McDonald |
| Baxter, Lucy Katherine | 7 Sep 1914 | 20 Oct 2000 | Maiden Name: Shoaf |
| Baxter, Myrtle | 1898 | 1928 | |
| Baxter, R L | 14 Aug 1889 | 5 Apr 1981 | (Richard Lee) |
| Baxter, R S | 1860 | 1942 | (Richard Samuel) |
| Baxter, Susie F | 12 Jul 1891 | 7 Oct 1892 | Daughter of R S & L Baxter |
| Baxter, Vera V | 5 Dec 1931 | 11 Dec 1931 | |
| Baxter, Virgie Floyd | 4 Sep 1892 | 29 Oct 1938 | Double marker with husband, H W Baxter |
| Beaty, Lois | 30 Jul 1907 | 11 Apr 1997 | Maiden Name: Wright |
| Beaty, Rand M | 30 Nov 1894 | 5 Dec 1985 | |
| Birmingham, Clayti | |||
| Birmingham, Elizabeth Louise | 1912 | 21 Jul 2006 | Maiden Name: Wright |
| Birmingham, Patricia Louise | 26 Jul 1935 | 30 Jun 2014 | |
| Birmingham, Walter Angus | 8 Sep 1902 | 4 Apr 1962 | |
| Bishop, A K | 22 Jun 1888 | 13 Nov 1912 | (Arthur K) |
| Bishop, Elizabeth | 11 Jan 1832 | 30 Jan 1878 | Wife of Henry Bishop (Maiden Name: Early) |
| Bishop, Elizabeth Eugenia | 21 Jan 1923 | 24 Aug 2008 | Maiden Name: Evans |
| Bishop, Henry Edward, Jr | 20 Jun 1885 | 31 Dec 1887 | Son of GW & AC Bishop |
| Bishop, Henry | 22 Feb 1824 | 30 Jan 1878 | MN: Edward |
| Bishop, Hunter H, Jr | 27 Nov 1920 | 5 Feb 1976 | TSGT US Army World War II |
| Bishop, Jesse J | 31 Dec 1889 | 23 Jul 1919 | |
| Bishop, Magone Stull | 10 Jul 1899 | 19 Nov 1899 | Daughter of G W & A C Bishop |
| Black, Fanny E | 1879 | 1943 | Maiden Name: Fowler |
| Blalack, Doris Ray | 30 Sep 1922 | 7 Oct 1931 | |
| Blalack, George M | 7 Mar 1860 | 29 Jun 1931 | Double stone with Phinis Idella Blalack |
| Blalack, Phinis Idella | 27 Jun 1870 | 9 Mar 1948 | Double stone with George M Blalack |
| Bond, Andrew | 1870 | 1903 | |
| Bourne, Edna P | 24 Jul 1908 | 6 Nov 1993 | Double stone with Robert S Bourne |
| Bourne, Martha Frances | 1869 | 1944 | Double stone with William John Bourne |
| Bourne, Robert S | 22 Aug 1903 | 19 Mar 1981 | Double stone with Edna P Bourne |
| Bourne, William John | 1869 | 1928 | Double stone with Martha Frances Bourne |
| Brammer, Emma Ann | 9 Dec 1854 | 12 Jan 1928 | Double stone with Henry Brammer |
| Brammer, Emma Lou | 28 Jan 1895 | 23 June 1990 | Meemie |
| Brammer, Ferrell H | 1900 | 1945 | |
| Brammer, Henry | 3 Apr 1851 | 12 Aug 1900 | Double stone with Emma Ann Brammer |
| Brammer, Sallie F | 22 Dec 1877 | 11 Sep 1917 | |
| Brammer, Stella | 8 Aug 1900 | 22 Nov 1990 | |
| Brammer, Will | 8 Sep 1876 | 5 Oct 1971 | |
| Brammer, William E | 25 Nov 1928 | 25 Dec 2016 | "Bill" |
| Brasfield, Ronnie Leon | 16 Oct 1965 | 8 Aug 1982 | "Our Son" |
| Brigman, H.J. | 20 Jan 1859 | 5 Oct 1909 | (Henry Jerome) |
| Brigman, (Infant) | 9 Jul 1915 | 9 Jul 1915 | Son of D J & Nova Brigham |
| Brigman, (Infant) | 29 May 1914 | 29 May 1914 | Son of D J & Nova Brigham |
| Brigman, Nova | 1891 | 1964 | |
| Brigman, V Peete | 12 Jan 1884 | 7 Mar 1905 | Son of HJ & PA Brigman |
| Brown, Barbara Lee | 17 Apr 1916 | 30 May 1998 | Double HS with William Edward Brown |
| Brown, William Edward | 20 Jan 1914 | 6 Feb 1967 | Double HS with Barbara Lee Brown |
| Burk, Connie L | 30 Jun 1924 | 9 Apr 1982 | CPL US Army World War II |
| Burk, Patsy | 19 Apr 1952 | 2 Jan 1975 | |
| Burk, Timothy Allen | 8 Aug 1977 | 18-Sep-1977 | Son of Darrell and Angela Burk |
| Byars, A Jack | 14 Feb 1885 | 21 Jan 1917 | Son of W D Byars |
| Byars, Bertie A | 6 Mar 1884 | 20 Aug 1954 | Double HS with Walter C Byars |
| Byars, C W | 5 Feb 1929 | 18 Jan1935 | Transcription: "Bill Boy" |
| Byars, Charles N | 1896 | 1927 | Double stone with Edith L Byars |
| Byars, Clarance V | 25 Jan 1889 | 6 Jul 1898 | Son of W D & F S Byars |
| Byars, Dora | 1873 | 1955 | Double stone with James J Byars |
| Byars, Edith L | 1901 | 1935 | Double stone with Charles N Byars |
| Byars, Edwin | 28 Feb 1904 | 8 May 1907 | Son of A J & Susie Byars |
| Byars, Elizabeth | 1866 | 1943 | Elizabeth Alice Wright Byars |
| Byars, James J | 1854 | 1920 | Double stone with Dora Byars |
| Byars, John Calvin | 18 May 1912 | 19 Nov 1918 | |
| Byars, John T | 25 Aug 1894 | 23 Dec 1957 | Double marker with Robbie Wright Byars |
| Byars, Melissa O | 25 Sep 1895 | Aged 68 yrs 4 mos & 5 days | |
| Byars, P N | 28 Nov 1857 | 29 Aug 1916 | |
| Byars, Robbie Wright | 9 Oct 1901 | 10 Feb 1977 | Double marker with John T Byars |
| Byars, T D | 23 Mar 1824 | 22 Jul 1900 | Aged 76 years 3 months 29 days |
| Byars, Wm D | 15 Dec 1851 | 13 Mar 1927 | |
| Byars, Walter C | 13 Feb 1888 | 11 Apr 1925 | Double HS with Bertie A Byars |
| Byars, Wm D | 15 Dec 1851 | 13 Mar 1927 | |
| Byars, William F | 15 Dec 1885 | 1 Feb 1891 | |
| Campbell, Annie R | 16 Feb 1867 | 12 Oct 1901 | Wife of S E Campbell |
| Campbell, Eula B | 1892 | 1933 | |
| Campbell, Ewell | 1892 | 1921 | |
| Campbell, S E | 21 Apr 1863 | 19 May 1914 | |
| Chrisman, Cornelia | 15 Mar 1911 | 16 Jan 1991 | |
| Clawitsch, Verlene P | 30 Mar 1939 | 21 Dec 1996 | 1st LT US Air Force |
| Clayton, Barbara Blanton | 10 Dec 1936 | 22 June 2011 | Beloved Mother |
| Clayton, Marvin Neal | 23 Oct 1934 | 21 Jan 2010 | Beloved Father; Married 20 Mar 1955 |
| Click, Jane | 24 Sep 1827 | 5 Oct 1915 | |
| Click, William Eddie | 4 Dec 1909 | 11 Feb 1905 | Son of JS & SM Click |
| Cobb, Earl | 4 Jul 1895 | 10 Aug 1895 | Son of J L & M E Cobb |
| Cochran, Linda Jean Rickard | 20 Aug 1946 | 2 Nov 1989 | |
| Cody, William | 14 Sep 1913 | 29 Mar 1935 | |
| Coker, John T | 15 Feb 1846 | 4 Jul 1913 | |
| Coker, Mary E | 17 Jan 1847 | 18 Jul 1917 | Wife of J T Coker |
| Coker, T D | 4 Feb 1874 | 26 Feb 1921 | |
| Cole, Audrey Isome | 3 May 1919 | 16 Jul 1996 | Double marker with Clifton Roby Cole |
| Cole, Chesley W | 8 Nov 1917 | 22 May 1984 | SGT US Army World War II |
| Cole, Clifton Roby | 20 Dec 1914 | 10 Feb 1987 | Double marker with Audrey Isome Cole |
| Cole, Emmett P | 12 Jun 1883 | 7 Apr 1960 | Double marker with Mary Ida Cole |
| Cole, G W | 18 Oct 1830 | 31 Mar 1898 | |
| Cole, George W | 1880 | 1956 | Double marker with Maude F Cole |
| Cole, James Rudolph | 16 Aug 1905 | 20 Nov 1965 | Double marker with Pauline Hamby Cole |
| Cole, Jessie Irene | 9 Jan 1898 | 1 Jun 1987 | |
| Cole, Jimmie Lou | 9 May 1895 | 2 Mar 1988 | |
| Cole, Mary Ida | 3 Nov 1881 | 2 Jan 1961 | Double marker with Emmett P Cole |
| Cole, Maude F | 1878 | 1936 | Double marker with George W Cole |
| Cole, M Etta | 26 Dec 1876 | 18 Dec 1959 | Double marker with William H Cole |
| Cole, Mary Ida | 3 Nov 1881 | 2 Jan 1961 | Double HS with Emmett P Cole |
| Cole, Maude F | 1878 | 1936 | Double HS with George W Cole |
| Cole, Nellie Sue | 23 Aug 1896 | 21 Sep 1906 | Daughter of W H & M E Cole |
| Cole, Paul Ray | 12 Aug 1935 | 1 Feb 2002 | Beloved Father & Brother |
| Cole, Pauline Hamby | 02-23-1914 | No Date | Double marker with James Rudolph Cole |
| Cole, William H | 5 May 1855 | 3 Feb 1935 | Double marker with M Etta Cole |
| Cole, "Bill" P | 2 Jan 1928 | 8 Dec 1989 | Double HS with Betty M Cole |
| Combs, Nell Williams | 24 Sep 1899 | 4 Feb 1987 | |
| Cook, Beulah White | 1 Oct 1916 | 8 Mar 1999 | Mother; Married 10 Sep 1933; Double HS with Richard Cook |
| Cook, Richard | 6 Nov 1914 | 27 Apr 1994 | Father; Married 10 Sep 1933: Double HS with Beulah White Cook; Footstone: Richard Cook PFC US Army World War II |
| Cooper, William T | Co. B. 41 ALA. INF. O.S.A. | ||
| Cothran, Arthur B | 21 Feb 1880 | 30 Jul 1941 | Double HS with Jo Ella Cothran |
| Cothran, Etoil D | 1907 | 1959 | Etoil Ruth Deverell Cothran, Daughter of William Henry Deverell & Elizabeth Opie Bishop; Husband: Hersehell Boydin Cothran |
| Cothran, H. B. | 1904 | 1956 | Hershell Boydin Cothran; Husband of Etoil Ruth Deverell Cothran |
| Cothran, Jo Ella | Aug 1881 | Jan 1976 | Double HS with Authur B Cothran |
| Cottam, Dorothy Hogan | 23 Feb 1925 | 21 Aug 2013 | This is my cousin. Her mother was Dorris Williams Hogan. Raised working in Bozo's. |
| Craig, Annie Jane | 25 Oct 1943 | 26 Dec 2013 | Married 22 Feb 22 1962; Double HS with Earnest Paul Craig |
| Craig, Earnest Paul | 6 Jan 1942 | 26 Dec 2012 | Married 22 Feb 22 1962; Double HS with Annie Jane Craig |
| Cranford, George R | 5 Sep 1932 | Death 28 Sep 2007 but was not engraved; Double HS with Norma Jean Cranford | |
| Cranford, James Herbert | 19 Feb 1894 | 18 Aug 1960 | Double HS with Velma Lorene Lindsey Cranford |
| Cranford, James F | Jun 1946 | Jun 1946 | 12 Days; Our Baby |
| Cranford, John Edwards | 6 Feb 1897 | 25 Dec 1908 | |
| Cranford, John F | 4 Nov 1883 | 25 Apr 1914 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God |
| Cranford, John Robert | 11 Jan 1905 | 9 Sep 1987 | Daddy Rob; Double HS with Willie Elodie Cranford |
| Cranford, Julian Edgar | 1924 | 1848 | |
| Cranford, Mary Lois | 19 Jun 1904 | 10 Jan 1905 | |
| Cranford, Norma Jean | 29 Jun 1936 | 11 Jan 1995 | Double HS with George R Cranford |
| Cranford, Susan E. | 14 Aug 1840 | 24 May 1908 | |
| Cranford, Velma Lorene | 23 Mar 1904 | 21 Nov 1987 | "Mother", Double HS with James Herbert Cranford |
| Cranford, Wesley Augusta | 1871 | 1943 | |
| Creasy, Jessie Short | 4 May 1904 | 16 Sep 1938 | "In loving memory Mother"; with "infant sister Maggie Frances Creasy" |
| Crook, Nora Lee | 1911 | 1941 | "Mother"
|
| Cunningham, James H | 30 Jun 1893 | 18 Dec 1975 | |
| Cunningham, Lily Audrey | 6 Mar 1894 | 10 Dec 1926 | |
| Cunningham, Mary Sue | 21 Aug 1906 | 20 Jan 1970 | |
| Cunningham, Wilmer Russell | 10 Jun 1921 | 21 Apr 1928 | |
| Davidson, Rickey Lane Cole | 8 Sep 1964 | 29 Jan 2000 | Double HS with Vickie Rickard DOB 22 Sep 1950 |
| Davis, Agnes R | 15 Dec 1871 | 8 Nov 1963 | Double HS with William F Davis |
| Davis, Andrew Jackson | 7 Oct 1881 | 18 Jun 1923 | |
| Davis, Mazie | 8 Nov 1904 | 3 Feb 1989 | Double HS with Mickey Davis |
| Davis, Benjamin F | 9 Sep 1863 | 13 Jun 1939 | |
| Davis, Brent Lee | 21 Dec 1957 | 5 May 2007 | Davis Parents of: Anna Louise, Samuel Brent, Katherine Irene Shirley, & Abigail Irene; Double HS with Helen Gertrude Currie Davis; Married 16 May 1981; Lord take me up with Thee on high |
| Davis, Christena | 12 Feb 1852 | 21 Jan 1926 | Wife of J.E. Davis |
| Davis, Donald Terry | 31 Dec 1954 | 20 Jul 2007 | |
| Davis, Elias B | 1830 | 1911 | Confederate veteran, Company B 7th Tennessee Cavalry |
| Davis, Jessie Ursula Burleyson | 19 Jan 1888 | 13 Feb 1971 | |
| Davis, J.E. | 19 Feb 1853 | 9 Sep 1916 | John Emery spouse of Christena Shoaf Davis |
| Davis, Katherine Irene Shirley | 28 Dec 1996 | 28 Dec 1996 | Daughter of Bret & Helen Davis |
| Davis, Lancy Warren | 22 Oct 1904 | 16 Feb 1996 | Double HS with Molly Campbell |
| Davis, Louie Warren | 16 Oct 1933 | 25 May 2010 | Double HS with Theresa "Terry" Webster b. 27 Jul 1943; In God's Loving Care; SP3 US Army Korea |
| Davis, Mary Etta | 24 Jan 1888 | 14 Aug 1913 | |
| Davis, Molly | 20 May 1914 | 28 Nov 1992 | Molly Elizabeth Campbell Davis, Double HS with Lancy Warren Davis |
| Davis, Myrick E | 1826 | 1864 | Co A 42 NC Inf Confederate States Army |
| Davis, Nora Bell | 1871 | 1946 | Double HS with Robert B Davis, Maiden Name: Faulk |
| Davis, Peggy McDivitt | 2 Apr 1937 | 28 Dec 2015 | |
| Davis, Robert B | 1878 | 1953 | Double HS with Nora Bell Davis |
| Davis, Ruby | 20 Nov 1904 | 23 Nov 1904 | Infant Dau. of Will and Agnes Davis |
| Davis, Tammy Carol Smith | 21 Oct 1966 | 4 Jul 2010 | Double HS with Michael Keith Davis; Married 10 Aug 1985; our sons: Kyle, Skylar, Forest |
| Davis, William F | 20 May 1875 | 14 Sep 1950 | Double HS with Agnes R Davis |
| Dawson, Paul Buford | 26 Jan 1925 | 11 May 2010 | |
| Deverell, Albert H | 3 Apr 1900 | 17 Jan 1955 | Double HS with Sudie G Deverell; In loving memory |
| Devrell, A J | 20 Apr 1939 | 23 Jul 1887 | Althea Jane Jennings Deverell |
| Deverell, Aubrey Allen | 26 Dec 1921 | 9 May 1933 | NOTE: Child of Lewis A. Deverell & Rosa Pickens, killed May 1933 tornado. Died May 9, 1933 at 2:00 pm. A double funeral was conducted on Tuesday May 9th at 2:30 PM at Charleston Methodist Church for his sister Mildred and mother Rosa. |
| Deverell, Chester James | 10 Nov 1913 | 7 Jun 1974 | Killed 1974 tornado at Mount Carmel Gin. Son of Samuel Ozzie Deverell & Annie Lou Waddell. |
| Deverell, Cora L | 13 May 1870 | 3 Nov 1952 | Double HS with John L Deverell |
| Deverell, Bettie | 1873 | 1941 | |
| Deverell, Marie | 11 Mar 1908 | 17 Dec 1908 | Double HS with Rufus K Deverell |
| Deverell, Franklin K | 15 Oct 1879 | 16 Dec 1955 | Double HS with Mamie E Deverell |
| Deverell, Gladys | 19 Nov 1902 | 16 Mar 1998 | |
| Deverell, Hazel Bishop | 23 Oct 1912 | 19 Apr 1993 | Double HS with Robert L Deverell |
| Devrell, H J | 16 Feb 1831 | 8 Dec 1899 | |
| Deverell, Infant Daughter | 12 Sep 1902 | 28 Sep 1902 | |
| Deverell, Infant Daughter | 31 Oct 1894 | Nov 1894 | |
| Deverell, John L | 10 Dec 1864 | 16 Jan 1947 | Double HS with Cora L Deverell |
| Deverell, Katie | 13 Mar 1878 | 20 Aug 1903 | Dau of James Rufus & Nancy Amanda Sanders |
| Deverell, Larry V | 29 Dec 1934 | 11 Jul 2004 | Double HS with Carol Pope Deverell |
| Deverell, Lewis Aubrey Sr | 9 Mar 1901 | 23 Apr 1983 | |
| Deverell, Mamie F | 28 Jun 1880 | 19 Mar 1962 | Double HS with Franklin K Deverell |
| Deverell, Midred Nash | 10 Sep 1924 | 9 May 1933 | |
| Deverell, Robert L | 17 Sep 1904 | 7 Nov 1997 | Doube HS with Hazel Bishop Everell |
| Deverell, Rosa Pickens | 1902 | 1933 | |
| Deverell, Rufus K | 2 Jul 1911 | 29 Jul 1959 | Double HS with Marie W Deverell |
| Deverell, Samuel O | 25 Nov 1877 | 13 Feb 1958 | Double HS with Annie Lou Deverell |
| Deverell, Sophia Odell Wright | 12 Nov 1915 | 23 Jan 1982 | |
| Deverell, Stanley A | 12 Apr 1930 | 7 May 1933 | |
| Deverell, Sudie G | 12 Sep 1917 | 28 Sep 2011 | Double HS with Albert H Deverell |
| Deverell, W H | 1863 | 1935 | |
| Dowey, Herman Earl | 15 Mar 1908 | 20 Jan 1988 | |
| Dowdy, Herman E Jr. | 3 Jul 1939 | 31 May 1994 | |
| Dowdy, James Morgan | 16 Jun 1878 | 13 Dec 1957 | Double HS with Malissie Davis Dowdy |
| Dowdy, Melissie Davis | 6 Mar 1876 | 18 Oct 1931 | Double HS with James Morgan Dowdy |
| Dowdy, Mildred Stacey | 28 Jan 1922 | 11 Jun 2001 | |
| Dowdy, R D | 9 Dec 1856 | 5 Sep 1905 | |
| Easley, David Keith | 26 May 1971 | 3 Jul 1977 | |
| Faulk, Emma Waddell | 25 Aug 1865 | 24 Aug 1892 | Wife of J P Faulk; Spouse Name Joseph Peyton Faulk. Daughter of Albert Augusta Waddell & France E. Dumas. J. P. was the Sheriff of Tipton County at the time of her death. |
| Hadley, Martha Sims | 3 Mar 1853 | 22 Apr 1934 | |
| Yount, Mattie (Rose) | 26 Jun 1898 | 21 Apr 1980 | Double marker with Lillie M Baskin (Transcription: Rose Sisters) |
| Baker, Thelma Easley | 21 Mar 1915 | 4 Jul 1988 | |
| Elam, Everett Carl | 1930 | 1989 | CPL US Army Korea |
| Elzey, Paul Dewayne | 27 Apr 1961 | 27 Apr 1961 | Infant son of Paul and Shirley Elzey |
| Eubank, John Wesley | 14 Mar 1840 | 4 Jan 1926 | Company F 12 Regiment Tennessee Cavalry |
| Faulk, Corene | 16 Mar 1911 | 19 Oct 1912 | Dau of W.J. & Mattie Faulk |
| Faulk, Corrinne | 1904 | 1908 | Dau of W.J. & Mattie Faulk |
| Faulk, H H | 22 Nov 1866 | 19 Jul 1915 | |
| Faulk, Laverne | 18 Dec 1906 | 9 Oct 1914 | Dau of W J & Mattie Faulk |
| Faulk, Lester Raymond | 1901 | 1910 | Son of W J & Mattie Faulk |
| Faulk, Louisa Ellen | 1843 | 1878 | Maiden Name: Atherton |
| Faulk, Missouri Benton | 17 Nov 1844 | 26 Jun 1891 | Maiden Name: Deakens; Spouse of James Dennis Faulk |
| Faulk, R. W. | 22 Nov 1866 | 19 Jul 1915 | Robert Hamby Faulk; Spouse: Alma Kirk Faulk; son of Winston Carter Faulk and Louisa Ellen Atherson |
| Faulk, Ruby Jean | 13 May 1939 | 27 May 1940 | Infant child of Roy Edward Faulk |
| Faulk, Rudolph | 27 Jan 1909 | 10 Mar 1909 | Son of W J & Mattie Faulk |
| Faulk, Willie | 29 Nov 1892 | 29 Oct 1892 | Dau of j P & e E Faulk (Joseph Peyton Faulk & Emma Waddell) |
| Fields, Eugene W | 11 Jan 1918 | 29 Jan 1971 | Tennessee CWO US Navy World War II Korea |
| Fields, Sally Annette Littleton | 14 Jan 1957 | 19 Sep 2010 | |
| Faulk, Winston Carter | 1844 | 1891 | Spouse: Louisa Ellen Artherson Faulk |
| Fields, Sara Reba Richardson | 22 Oct 1923 | 9 Aug 2000 | Spouse: Eugene Willard Fields |
| Fleming, Floyd Baxter | 27 Feb 1937 | 18 Dec 2016 | Double HS with Shelby J Fleming |
| Fleming, Pearl Baxter | 11 Sep 1919 | 26 Jul 2004 | |
| Fleming, Michael David "Mike" | 21 Jul 1964 | 18 Oct 2010 | "In loving memory" |
| Fleming, Royce Alfred | 6 Ju 1914 | 31 May 1991 | Spouse: Jessie Pearl Baxter; Parents: Wm Robert Fleming and Emma Raynor |
| Floyd, Eliza E | 1870 | 1958 | Double HS with F C Floyd |
| Floyd, Frank C | 1859 | 1932 | Double HS with Eliza E Floyd |
| Floyd, Henry Oglesby | 5 May 1896 | 22 Jul 1918 | |
| Fowler, Charles K Fowler | 1 Apr 1873 | 14 Jan 1923 | |
| Fowler, Georgia "Babe" | 1874 | 1957 | |
| Fowler, John G | 24 Jul 1884 | 11 Dec 1913 | "John G. son of SW & MA Fowler"; "He took thee from a world of care. An everlasting bliss to share" |
| Fowler, M A | 17 Jun 1846 | 9 Apr 1919 | "M.A. wife of SW Fowler"; Gone from the sorrows here below, Gone home to God"; Martha Ann |
| Fowler, N O | First Name: Noble; Sone of William and Babe Fowler | ||
| Fowler, S W | 26 Aug 1844 | 7 Nov 1930 | Double HS with MA Fowler; Name is Sterlin Willis |
| Fowler, Thomas J | 29 Sep 1877 | 23 Dec 1913 | Thomas J son of Sw & MA Fowler |
| Fowler, William P | 1869 | 1947 | |
| Freeman, Meganah Hall | 1847 | 22 Jun 1891 | Maiden Name: Patterson; w/o William "Peg Leg" Freeman; No headstone; (great grandparents of ML Williams, Tipton County Host) |
| Freeman, William "Peg Leg" | 17 Jul 1841 | 29 Nov 1919 | h/o Maganah Hall Freeman; Confederate Veteran, Wren Bishop Knight Regiment, Lost leg in war (No headstone; great grandparents of ML Williams, Tipton County Host; MawMaw kept his leg in the closet it is now used to hold up a table) |
| Garrett, Sheila Nicole | 16 Apr 1986 | 11 Feb 1990 | "Jesus Loves Me"; Beloved Daughter" |
| Glass, Shelia M | 30 Jul 1952 | 19 Apr 2018 | Maiden Name: Williams |
| Glover, Sadie Williams Stewart | 7 May 1908 | 7 Feb 1966 | |
| Hall, Betty Ann | 29 Jan 1932 | Died 1 Aug 2014 | |
| Hall, Willaim Dee | 2 Nov 1921 | 6 Nov 1985 | Double HS with Betty Ann Hall |
| Hall, William Terry | 4 Sep 1949 | 8 Sep 1949 | Infant son |
| Hamby, Ollie D | 1891 | 1968 | |
| Harvell, Dr Calvin T | 8 Oct 1933 | 24 Nov 2000 | Double HS with Virginia Wright; Married 29 May 1955; "I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have dept the faith 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| Harvell, Virginia Wright | 7 Aug 1936 | 10 Jan 20013 | Double HS with Dr. Calvin T Harvell; Married 29 May 1955; "I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have dept the faith 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| Hawkins, Willie J | Nov 1864 | May 1913 | She died as she lived, trusting in God |
| Headen, John T | 1 May 1858 | 26 Jun 1923 | |
| Hignight, Charlotte Jo Yarbro | 12 Feb 1952 | 9 Apr 2013 | |
| Hogan, Dorris Williams | 8 Feb 1906 | 12 Sep 2001 | Parents: Thomas Jefferson "Bozo" Williams, Frances Cotton Richardson Williams; Spouse Olen Bailey Hogan; Child Dorothy Hogan Cottam; (great aunt of ML Williams, Tipton County host) |
| Hogan, Nina Archer Brigman | 10 May 1867 | 31 Aug 1939 | |
| Hollis, Loretta Ann | 23 Jun 1931 | 12 Feb 1977 | Maiden Name: Huggins |
| Howard, Ben V | 9 Aug 1943 | 19 Sep 2002 | |
| Hudson, Henry Roland | 12 Feb 1924 | 27 Dec 2003 | WWII US Army Air Corps |
| Huggins, C H | 16 Mar 1903 | 8 Feb 1985 | |
| Huggins, Ernest Edward | 13 Aug 1910 | 7 Apr 1995 | In Loving Memory |
| Huggins, Ethel | 11 Mar 1892 | 13 Jan 1982 | |
| Huggins, Ida Dell | 2 Apr 1876 | 8 Jan 1954 | |
| Huggins, James D | 19 Mar 1888 | 8 Dec 1916 | Age 28 Gone but not forgotten |
| Huggins, Lettie G | 1 May 1887 | 13 Feb 1971 | Mother |
| Huggins, Mary Lucille Moore | 22 Feb 1917 | 19 Sep 2004 | In Loving Memory |
| Huggins, O. A | 1882 | 1946 | Gone but not forgotten |
| Huggins, Raymond | 1921 | 1948 | |
| Huggins, Virgil O | 25 Feb 1918 | 3 Feb 1998 | |
| Huggins, W. J. | 1867 | 1941 | |
| Huggins, Willie D | 3 May 1923 | 14 Aug 1929 |
|
| Hutchison, Dale Baxter | 15 Dec 1956 | 13 Jul 1980 | In Loving Memory |
| Jackett, Julia Rose | 22 Sep 1897 | 17 Sep 1982 | Grandmother |
| Johnson, James Blueford | 2 Jul 1877 | 6 Apr 1952 | Our Dear Father |
| Johnson, Nancy Ida | 13 Feb 1875 | 6 Jul 1912 | |
| Jones, Elizebeth Paige | 7 Mar 1995 | 19 Sep 2015 | |
| Jones, Barbara Lee | 9 Oct 1964 | 24 Apr 2015 | You are our sonshine; "BJ" |
| Jones, Wilma Dianne | 18 Aug 1944 | 19 Mar 2017 | Covington Funeral Home |
| Jordan, Alice Archer | 2 May 1900 | 22 May 1965 | |
| Jordan, Lofton L | 1902 | 1972 | |
| Keltner, Mattie Williams Faulk | 11 Jan 1870 | 27 Dec 1941 | |
| Kinney, Annie Belle | 27 Jun 1909 | 21 Dec 1990 | Beyond the sunset; Double HS with Stanley Kinney |
| Kinney, Stanley | 28 Jun 1909 | 27 Mar 1989 | Beyond the sunset; Double HS with Annie BelleKinney |
| Latham, Kathy Sue Derry | 27 Aug 1951 | 2 Nov 2007 | |
| Marshall, Annie K | 8 Oct 1865 | 8 Sep 1936 | Double HS with Thomas H Marshall |
| Marshall, Thomas H | 29 Apr 1837 | 30 Jun 1921 | Double HS with Annie K Marshall |
| Martin, Jerry R | 5 Apr 1955 | 16 Oct 2008 | "PeeWee"; In Loving Memory |
| Maxwell, Zachary Thornton MD | 23 Sep 1976 | 26 Oct 2008 | Double HS with Melanie L Booker Maxwell b. 15 Jan 1976 |
| McDivitt, Gary Joe | 14 Jul 1952 | 15 Nov 2016 | Married 13 May 1972 |
| McFerrin, Rev James | 22 Mar 1784 | 4 Sep 1840 | |
| McIntyre, George "Boo" | 22 Feb 1930 | 28 Jul 1996 | Double HS with Caroly McIntyre b. 10 Nov 1934 |
| McIntyre, John Arnold | 21 Feb 1926 | 22 Apr 2010 | Double HS with Patty Jean Harden Mcintyre b. 17 Mar 1933 |
| McIntyre, John Winford | 15 Oct 1909 | 11 Jan 1975 | Double HS with Ruby Davis McIntyre |
| McIntyre, Ruby Davis | 9 Nov 1911 | 7 Mar 1998 | Double HS with John Winford McIntyre |
| Means, Patty Lynn | 9 Oct 1952 | 27 Aug 2009 | |
| Moore, Dellie Bolser | 29 Sep 1887 | 31 Oct 1967 | Double HS with Walter Lee Moore; Married 1 Apr 1906 |
| Moore, Walter Lee | 29 Jul 1872 | 4 Apr 1964 | Double HS with Dellie Bolser Moore; Married 1 Apr 1906 |
| Moore, Elsie M | 14 Se 1925 | 17 Apr 1988 | Double HS with James W Moore b. 2 Feb 1916; married 21 Apr 1956 32 Happy Years; maiden name: Hopper |
| Moucha, Walter C | 1872 | 1914 | |
| Myers, Jerry L | 1952 | 1996 | |
| Newman, Daniel Eugene | 9 Jul 1939 | 20 Nov 2015 | Double HS with Janice A Newman; Married 21 Apr 1962 |
| Newman, Janice A | 7 May 1945 | 5 Dec 2009 | Double HS with Daniel Eugene Newman; Married 21 Apr 1962 |
| Otto, Sheila Ann | 11 Apr 1962 | 1 Sep 2009 | |
| Patterson, Morris | 31 Dec 1932 | 7 Aug 2017 | Double HS with Yolande Faulk b. 13 Aug 1935; Married 12 Jul 1958; (Cousin of ML Wiliams Tipton County Host) |
| Pope, John Hickman | 5 Nov 1916 | 19 Jan 1981 | Single HS with two names: Amanda Louise Sanders |
| Pope, Amanda Louise Sanders | 24 Nov 1921 | 6 Sep 2001 | Single HS with two names: John Hickman Pope |
| Ray, Mary Joe | 25 Aug 1891 | 2 May 1946 | |
| Reed, Frederick T Corp | Co K 26 ALA Inf CSA; b. 22 Oct 1843 d. 19 Nov 1886 | ||
| Richardson, Blucher J | 8 Oct 1921 | Double HS with Irene E; PFC US Army World War II; DOD 1991 | |
| Richardson, Fannie | 6 Mar 1856 | 7 Jun 1992 | Wife of J M Richardson; She was a kind and affectionate wife, a fond mother and a friend to all |
| Richardson, J M | 20 Dec 1856 | 27 Mar 1950 | James Monroe was the son of William Asbury Richardson. Jim married Sallie Hudson on September 2, 1855. She died in 1892 and is buried a row up from him. In 1895 he married Fannie Cole, she is buried beside him. His sister Emma Jane Richardson Warf is buried on the other side of him. |
| Richardson, R M "Mutt" | 25 Nov 1911 | 2 Sep 1996 | Double HS with Jean E Esbrook Richardson |
| Richardson, Jean E Esbrook | 3 Jul 1915 | 14 Jan 1999 | Double HS with R M "Mutt" Richardson |
| Richardson, John D | 14 Mar 1925 | 5 Jun 2004 | Double HS with Lynne Price Richardson b. 24 Aug 1947; Sgt US Army Air Forces World War II |
| Richardson, Jno R | 23 Mar 1886 | 21 Sep 1961 | Double HS with Mattie Lou Richardson |
| Williams, Thomas Jefferson "Bozo" | 27 Oct 1876 | 26 Feb 1935 | Double HS with Fannie C Williams |
| Richardson, Mattie Lou | 13 Feb 1890 | 7 Oct 1974 | Double HS with Jno R Richardson |
Burials in Charleston Cemetery in Tipton County, TN Charleston Cemetery is located in Tipton County, Tennessee on the relatively quiet highway of 179 on the west side of Charleston United Methodist Church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July of 2002. (NRHP No. 02000811)
Old Charleston Cemetery in Tipton County, Tennessee
History of Charleston Cemetery
Charleston Cemetery is located in Tipton County, Tennessee on the relatively quiet highway of 179 on the west side of Charleston United Methodist Church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July of 2002. (NRHP No. 02000811)
Charleston is the original cemetery where the founder of the church is buried, as well veterans of the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The land for the cemetery was donated by Bill and Betty Deverell. (( Information from Connie Lambert, great niece of the Deverells, December 31, 2019. )) The cemetery is roughly rectangular, about 500 feet deep and 250 feet wide. It is bordered on the east side by the church, the west side by a tennis court, the south side by a line of trees and the north side by the highway.
Relief carving of Dove
Arrangement of Cemetery
Site contains approximately 600 gravesites, arranged in no definable order with the oldest identified grave marked 1836. The site is still in use and well kept. The monument shapes vary from simple arched headstones and footstones, to elaborate carved stone trees, obelisks, and pedestal-tombs, all with a variety of lettering styles. Similarly, there are relief carvings include a finger pointing heavenward, doves, clasped hands, gates of heaven, scrolls, flowers, decorative designs, Masonic symbols, and the Woodmen of the World emblems and more three-dimensional carvings include urns, trees, and open books or Bibles. Three of the graves have both headstones and ledgers.
Relief carving of finger pointing to Heaven
Headstones and Footstones
Three lectern-with-book type monuments stand together; however, there are many more scattered throughout the cemetery.
Elvra Inez
Elvra Inez, who was born July 24, 1895, died October 19, 1914, and daughter of G.A. and L.E. Spivey, has a monument with relief carving of the heavenly gates topped with a crown. The crown sometimes symbolizes the soul’s achievements or Christian righteousness. Inscription reads, “Thy Will Be Done” and the top of the “lectern” has a carved open book, presumably the Bible. The Bible symbolizes resurrection through the scriptures and the clergy.
J E Davis
J.E. Davis, who was born February 19, 1853 and died September 9, 1916, has a simpler lectern-style monument with the carving of three columns in front of a drapery, on the side of the monument. Draperies can symbolize the expression of mourning, since it was common to cover everything in black cloth during the time that the body lay in state in the parlor and on the top is the open book or bible.
Williams Infant Son
The infant son of H.H. and S.M. Williams has an unusual monument in that its stone surround still survives. Many surrounds, such as this one, have been removed or destroyed due to mowing. Much more common, this monument also includes the carving of a crouching lamb on top. The child buried here was one day shy of his first birthday. This lamb is a typical emblem used for the grave of a child and symbolizes innocence or Jesus.
Masonic Symbols
Masonic symbols are common in this cemetery. The grave of T.D. Byars, who was born March 23, 1824 and died July 22, 1900 is a simple arched headstone with a clear image of the Mason’s symbol at the top and Byars’ name below. Simple block letters are surrounded by a sawtooth pattern design. The rest of the lettering is in a script style and appears to be hand carved. This monument is one of two that is signed by the stone carver, “W. B. Bradeberry, Hollysprings, Miss” and inscription on this monument reads, “safely anchored in the harbor of eternal rest.”
Wife of JH McFerrin
The other monument signed by a stone carver is that of the wife of J.H. McFerrin. “J White, Memphis,” signs the ledger monument, which has a combination of script and block lettering and below the lettering is a simple line design with a diamond in the middle and stylized leaves at each end. Mrs. McFerrin was born April 29, 1820 and died July 30, 1841 and there is no other inscription.
Wife of J.H. McFerrin, b. 29 Apr 1820 d. 30 Jul 1841
Susan E Cranford
A very unusual yet simple monument is that of Susan E. Cranford, born August 14, 1840 and died May 24, 1908. The marker is a stone disc, just a few inches thick and around the outer edge of the disc is a floral vine. Her name and death date form a circle within the vine border.
Woodmen of the World
There are several graves for members of the Woodmen of the World. The monument of P.N. Byars is typical of their markers with a tall vertical tree stump with sawn off branches that rest on two horizontal logs and the Woodmen of the World emblem is at the top. Below that, in block lettering is “Byars” and below the name is an irregular shape, which reads, “P.N. Byars, November 28, 1857, August 29, 1916.” This shape also includes an inscription. At the bottom of the two horizontal logs begins a flower with long vines that reach up to the middle of the vertical stump. The vine could symbolize the embodiment of the deceased or the brevity of earthly existence. Behind Byars monument is a ledger with his name. The cemetery is a contributing site to the nomination.
Cemetery Monuments
The monuments in the church cemetery not only represent settlement in the community, but also hold clues to the culture and beliefs of the community, the deceased, and the deceased’s family. Monument shapes vary from simple arched headstones and footstones to elaborate carved stone trees, obelisks, pedestal-tombs, ledgers, and an unusual circular disc, all with a variety of lettering styles. Obelisks and pedestal-tombs are considered the 19th century’s most elite monuments in North Carolina. This is most likely true of Tennessee as well. Some of the stones are signed by the stonecutters, an unusual practice. J. White of Memphis signed a monument with a death date of 1841 and W.B. Bradberry, of Holly Springs, Mississippi, signed two monuments.
Susan Ellen Braden Cranford b. 14 Aug 1840 in Alabama d. 24 May 1908
Joseph Garland Barcus
Joseph Garland Barcus, a grandson of James B. McFerrin, arranged for a U.S. Government marker for McFerrin’s grave to be added in 1958 or 1959. The marker, which commemorates McFerrin’s service in the War of 1812 is placed at the foot of his grave. McFerrin’s original monument reads, “Rev. James McFerrin, born in Washington County, VA., March 22, 1784, Died Sept. 4, 1840. He served his country as a military officer, the Methodist Episcopal Church as an esteemed minister for twenty years and died in full hope of a blissful immortality. He was a noble specimen of human nature—of a Christian gentleman of a true minister of Christ, an instrument in the hands of God of the conversion of thousands. His reward is on High. By his children.”
In the same year, Barcus arranged for Granite Works to erect a “simple stone” to replace McFerrin’s son-in-law, Noah Smith’s, original stone. Smith’s grave lies to the north of McFerrin’s. The new monument reads the same as its original, “Noah Smith, Born May 12, 1809, Died August 4, 1836.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the varied designs of the cemetery monuments represent a shift in funerary customs, as seen in its range of funerary art from vernacular hand-carved markers to the industrialized high-style typical of the early 1900s. In spite of Charleston Cemetery’s age, it has not experienced theft, vandalism, or destruction of detail. Therefore, the church and cemetery retain their rural setting and have not experienced significant alterations.
Charleston United Methodist Church
Charleston United Methodist Church
The Charleston United Methodist Church is located on the relatively quiet highway of 179 and is just east of the Charleston-Mason Road intersection. The church is named for the nearby community, Charleston, which is in Tipton County. Large plantations once surrounded the church and still exist but as smaller farms. The county is largely agricultural because of its fertile soil and level land.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July of 2002. The church is also known as the First United Methodist Church. The church has a rich history because of the architectural design, its contributions to the community, and its circuit riders. (NRHP No. 02000811)
Background
Charleston United Methodist Church was established in 1823. Since it was common practice to conduct outdoor multi-denominational meetings, by circuit riders or town leaders, tent meetings were held before the actual church was built. A log cabin was the first multi-denominational meetinghouse in this community located on this site in 1833, and it was most likely on the northwest corner of the church property as evidenced by the oldest graves and trees in this area. The current building was built in 1917 due to the expanding Methodist community in Tipton County. Thereby, replacing a previous church which was in poor condition.
Other Churches in the Area
Charleston, and its neighboring small towns and communities, retain much of their historic integrity. Several other churches, like the Charleston Church, remain much as they did in their early years. Trinity Church (NR 2/13/84) built in 1870, is in Mason. The brick church building has Gothic Revival detailing, including Gothic arch windows. Old Trinity Episcopal Church (NR 5/8/97) is four miles northeast of Mason. The 1847 building is a simple frame church sided with weatherboards and with nine over nine windows. The 1854 Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church (NR 6/4/84) is four miles south of Covington. The frame church has Greek Revival and Gothic Revival influence in its design, such as the Gothic arch entry and windows. Charleston United Methodist Church, constructed later than the other National Register listed churches in the county, compares favorably with them in terms of architectural integrity.
Image from National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Charleston Church & Cemetery. The property is roughly a rectangular shape of 3.70 acres, marked as parcel number 38 on the attached Tipton County Tax Map number 75, which includes the church and the adjoining cemetery. The Covington-Stanton road borders the north side, a tennis court the west side, a line of trees and home on the east side and a line of trees on the south side.
Charleston UM Church
Interior of Charleston United Methodist Church
Description
The architecture of the church speaks to the beliefs of the Methodist Church in the 20th Century. Its design fits the early colonial, Anglican idea of the “Low Church”. Therefore, the floor plan has no separation between the altar and the main body of the church. Furthermore, the clear glass windows, as opposed to stained glass, are representative of the values of the Enlightenment. Likewise, simple, unadorned pews reflect a rural church of limited means and their uniformity in design, style, and location reflects the Anglican belief that all men are one in God’s eyes.
Materials
In 1917, the church built in 1876 was destroyed. As a result, the church had to be rebuilt many of the materials from the previous church were used in the reconstruction.
The current church is a one-story frame building sided with weatherboarding, and the gable roof is capped by an asphalt shingle. Stone piers and concrete block form the foundation of the church. Above all, the church’s most prominent exterior feature, influenced by the Greek Revival, is the recessed entrance with two square Doric columns and two Doric pilasters on either side. The original double wood panel doors have a single-light transom. Similarly, the church has its original double-hung wood sash windows; however, the glass panes had to be replaced in 1973 using textured glass. The congregation kept the exterior and the interior of the church extremely close to its original appearance.
Front
The gable front rectangular building faces Covington-Stanton Road (Hwy 179), and the church is roughly 56 feet long and 40 feet wide. Furthermore, the church is set back approximately 100 feet from the road. The landscaping is minimal; however, there are a few shrubs planted near the north side of the church building. The historic cemetery is on the west side of the church.
Exterior
There are five evenly placed double hung windows on each side of the building. The southern side of the building rest on a concrete block foundation and the northern side on a stone pier foundation. The rear of the church has two double hung windows and a small gable roof addition with a single leaf entry. This single leaf entrance leads into the basement, which was added in 1936.
Interior
The interior remains close to its original appearance with slight changes. For example, Sunday school rooms were added to the front of the church in 1936. Also, the two original wood stoves, which stood in the center of church, were replaced with gas heaters located in the rear of the church. The original light fixtures remain in the church as does the dark stained beaded board walls and ceiling, floor and pews. (NOTE: Dark stained beaded board became popular in the late 1800s as an alternative to plaster or pressed metal wall coverings.)
Sanctuary
The high ceiling is adorned with the six original Schoolhouse pendant light fixtures. Schoolhouse pendants were the most usual form of fixed lighting in the 1920s and 1930s. Simply designed poplar pews ranging in length from 7′ to 10′ fill the sanctuary. The altar chair, organ, and piano are located on the south wall. Above all, is the ornate lectern also located on the south wall. A 1980 wooden cross is centered on the wall behind the lectern.
Circuit Rider
James McFerrin was the first circuit rider for the church. He and his wife, riding the same horse, left Virginia for Rutherford County, Tennessee in 1784. McFerrin was a farmer, rifleman, Indian fighter and served with General Jackson in the War of 1812. After that he converted to Methodism. He spent some time in Alabama before returning to Tennessee in 1833 and establishing the church in Charleston. He died in 1840 and is buried in the Charleston churchyard.
The United Methodist Church erected an historic marker in front of the church in 1984 to honor Reverend McFerrin. It reads
Rev. James McFerrin, 1784-1840. Born the same year as American Methodism, this 1812 solider and farmer was converted at a camp meeting and was 20 years a Methodist preacher. He came to this community in 1834, became pastor of Wesley Circuit, and died the year the Memphis Conference was formed. He is buried hear near the site of the original Charleston church. His sons John B., A.P. and Wm. M. became prominent Methodist ministers in Tenn. Other family members carried Methodism to Ark. And Texas. One descendent is Bishop McFerrin Stow of Dallas. The influence of his life has spread worldwide and through 6 generations of American Methodism.
Dr. John B. McFerrin, Rev. James McFerrin’s oldest son, was also a well know preacher. His youngest child, Eliza, was married to Noah Smith, who is buried in the adjoining cemetery.
Church and Community
Charleston United Methodist Church was an integral part of the Charleston community.
Women Raised Money
In 1909, the women raised money for various endeavors, one of which included giving Miss Evie Waddell $10.35 to “assist her in preparing to enter the Methodist Training School at Nashville.” (Miss Waddell did attend the Methodist Training School in Nashville and went on to be a missionary in the coalfields.)
Moreover, the women of the church were influential in caring for the community. They raised money for fruit for the sick, items for the needy, and church needs with egg and chicken showers, ice cream socials, box suppers, election lunches, quilts, concerts, and banquets.
Supporting the War
During World War I and II, the community encouraged the purchase of bonds and collected metal.
Churches Helping Churches
The church was used by the Baptist congregation in 1933 after their building was destroyed by a tornado.
Church and School
Likewise, a school, which stood west of the church and burned in 1932, used Charleston Methodist until their school was rebuilt.
If you find that I have missed any burials for this cemetery, please contact me. I know with my family, there are a lot of burials that have not been marked.