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The Charleston Baptist Church as it appeared prior to the tornado of May 1933. Many of the church members were killed during the tornado and the church was completely demolished. CHurch members and volunteers worked diligently and rebuilt the church in a short time. Services were held in the church before the end of the year.

Charleston Baptist Church

Posted on November 11, 2020July 29, 2022 by ML Williams

…..A rich heritage of history combines to establish new hopes for the future. Celebrating their 130th year…..

Tay Lachance, Editor
Baptismal for Charleston Baptist Church on Hatchie River 1922

PHOTO CAPTION: The BAPTISMAL for Charleston Baptist Church members took place at the Hatchie River in 1922. The members included (l to r) Cathleen Cothran, Edna Cole, Etta Earl Smith, Cornelia Brammer, Nettye Wright, Leta Waddell, Greta Johnson, Gertrude Floyd, Elizabeth Williams, Elaie Smith, Elizabeth Jacques, Ada Combs, unidentified, Mrs. Waddell E. Smith, Vivian Byars, Willie Richardson, Carrie Campbell, Paul Wright, Ernest Huggins, Elbert Waddell, Farris Waddell, Paul Davis, Otha Huggins, unidentified, Carol Bourne, Sadie Smith, Alline Cole, Fay Morrisett(?), (first name not given) Davis, J(?) Deverell, Roy Morrisett, Virge Williams, Bill Boarne, Franke Boarne, John Alfred Williams [my grandfather!], Sam Archer, John Wesley Glover, Reginal Huggins, Herman Dowdy(?), Leslie Wright, Brook Faulk, Grady Williams, Rob Bourse, Robert Jesse Williams, Embry Davis, Hubert Cothran, Garl Byars, Bladyes Davis, Richard Deverrell, Herschel Cothran, Mayberry Waddell, Morgan Lee Dowdy, Lancry Waddell, Mack Smith, Rob Cranford, unidentified, Jim McIntyre, Madison Campbell, Bob Bourne, Jess Sanders, Morgan Dowdy and O. A. Utley, pastor.

Charleston Baptist Church celebrates 130 years!

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the Charleston Baptist Church family! as our 130th anniversary approaches. I have been increasingly aware of how the past and the future are meeting to create a dynamic present for our congregation. The rich treasury of experiences that make up the history of our church has shaped us and given us a heritage of strong values that we can celebrate and God can use. The hope that God is giving us for the future of His church in this community is a powerful force moving us to pray and take steps of obedience that will make our ministry purposeful and effective in our unique setting. As we worship God as a family of faith committed to a life of integrity and compassion, God will open doors to new opportunities, meaningful relationships, and a bright future.”

—- Pastor Paul K. Moore

Charleston Baptist Church
The MOORE family members are (l to r) Laura Lee, 21, Pastor Paul, Linda, Davie, 23, Johnathan, 16, and (front, right) Cannon, 13. Pastor Paul Moore has been with the church since 1985.

The Charleston Baptist Church will celebrate its 130th year this Sunday. There will be many special activities to enjoy and members, former members and the entire community is invited to attend. Jerry McDivitt will be the guest speaker. After the 11 a.m. service and dinner, the choir will give a special musical presentation.

Rev. Moore has been the pastor at Charleston Baptist Church since 1985. He and his wife, Linda, have four children, Davie, Laura, Jonathan and Cannon.

Other staff members are Reed Fleming, music director, Lynn Sorrell and Mary Bacca, pianists, and Curtis and Amy McCoy, co-youth directors.

Past History

The Charleston Baptist Church had its origin in the early 1800’s, three miles from its present location. It was discovered by one source that the original church had been named New Bethel. The first written membership roster was recorded in 1868, and showed a membership of 90 persons. In 1872, a church was built at the present location.

The Charleston Baptist Church as it appeared prior to the tornado of May 1933. Many of the church members were killed during the tornado and the church was completely demolished. CHurch members and volunteers worked diligently and rebuilt the church in a short time. Services were held in the church before the end of the year.
The Charleston Baptist Church as it appeared prior to the tornado of May 1933. Many of the church members were killed during the tornado and the church was completely demolished. Church members and volunteers worked diligently and rebuilt the church in a short time. Services were held in the church before the end of the year.

In 1922 a total of 65 persons were baptized that year in the nearby Hatchie River.

As with the rest of the nation, Tipton County suffered immensely during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. It was at this time that Pastor J. E. Bell volunteered to work for a while without the benefit of salary. Many of the church members showed their appreciation to him by sharing the meager goods they had, such as chickens, homegrown vegetables and livestock.

On May 7, 1933, a tornado ripped through the small community, killing many residents of the area as well as Church members. The church itself was completely destroyed by the devastating tornado. The members rose to the occasion with much determination and rebuilt the church with volunteer labor. Church services were held in the building that same year.

In 1937, electric lights were installed and in 1949, the first Vacation Bible School was held. Rob Bourne was contracted to build the present church building and several members of the church volunteered to help. Dedication of the building took place Nov. 25, 1951.

Present happenings

Charleston Baptist Church offers a myriad of activities for children, youth, and adult women and men.

Charleston Baptist Church as it appears today.
Charleston Baptist Church as it appears today.

the missions program has taken many members to all parts of the world as well as travel in the United States. In 1997 several church members traveled to Mexico where they built a playground for the community children. In 2000, Pastor Paul Moore traveled to Portugal and in 2001, Laura Lee Moore traveled with the Tennessee Baptist Commission to Brazil. This summer, Miss Moore went to St. Louis, Mo., where she had the opportunity to do missionary work with AIDS patients and inner city children. On Sept. 20, 2020, a lady’s prayer retreat was held at Paris Landing, offering more opportunities for the church members to share their faith.

Missions at the church include Baptist Men, Baptist Women, Teen Missions and Mission Friends. Hettie Rice is the WMU president and Neal Clayton is the Brotherhood director.

The youth at Charleston Baptist Church have many exciting activities being presented. The co-directors, Curtis and Amy McCoy, have established a Wednesday night worship and prayer time. On Friday nights the activities include fun and games as well as Bible study and worship. A youth praise team has been developed that often lead worship in music for the youth group. They have performed at Sunday morning services as well as Sunday night.

The youth group has done several community service projects and will assist with the Senior Kaleidoscope Health Fair on Oct. 18 at the Senior Center in Covington. Other activities have included ministry and witness work on Beale Street, they lead a youth revival in Ripley, and ministered through music at an assisted living center and at the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Bartlett. In the community, they planned a community wide celebration which included “mud-volleyball” as one of the activities.

In 1998 and 2000, the Tennessee Baptist Convention State Speakers Tournament had winners from Charleston Baptist Church. Each year the church has had Bible drill winners in the Children’s State Tournament or the Youth Regional competition.

Children’s ministry has “Terrific Tuesday” during the summer months and the group enjoys water play and field trips to the zoo and other interesting places. Recently, they participated in a Sept. 11 remembrance service and dressed as American characters such as Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross and others.

The women’s ministry group has been participating in Bible Studies, Prayer Partner events and a quilting group.

Future has opportunities

Charleston Baptist Church continues to grow and thrive in its ministry. Last summer, they had the largest attendance at Vacation Bible School in 20 years. Their attendance at church services has increased over 14 percent in the last year.

Mrs. Moore, the pastor’s wife, added her summation of the church and its invigorating efforts in the community, as well as with their own church family, and said, “God is pouring out his blessings in our church. We are seeing prayers answered every week.”

Revival begins on Sept. 29, 2002

A revival will be held at the Church beginning with the 130th Anniversary celebration this Sunday.

Morning worship at 9:45 a.m. and again at 11 a.m.

A group photograph will be made after the 11 a.m. service and then members are encouraged to have dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Afterward, the Choir will make a special musical presntation.

Revival will be Monday, Sept. 30 – Thursday, Oct. 3 and will begin at 7 p.m. Jerry McDivitt will deliver the message and Reed Fleming will lead the music.

There will be no 6 p.m. service on Sept. 29, due to the Great Commission Rally which will be held at First Baptist Church in Covington.

[The Covington Leader, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002, Section B, Family Living]

Baptismal for Charleston Baptist Church on Hatchie River 1922
Charleston Baptist Church
Charleston Baptist Church as it appears today.
The Charleston Baptist Church as it appeared prior to the tornado of May 1933. Many of the church members were killed during the tornado and the church was completely demolished. CHurch members and volunteers worked diligently and rebuilt the church in a short time. Services were held in the church before the end of the year.
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Welcome!

Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018
Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018

My name is ML Williams. I am a hiking, fossil hunting, God loving, coffee drinking, hot fries eatin' middle school math teacher! I love researching my family history and, since my family is from Tipton County, I love researching the people and areas of Tipton.

Thanks for visiting my site and good luck in your quest!

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© 2018-2021 Tipton County, Tennessee
Mary Lynne Williams

Shelley, Barbara June Abbott

BARBARA JUNE ABBOTT SHELLEY | 52, of Drummonds, Tenn., clerk for Abbott Jewelry, died Thursday at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Tipton in Covington, Tenn. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Munford (Tenn.) Funeral Home with burial in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Drummonds.  She leaves a daughter, Kimberly Ann Douglas, and a son, James D. Shelley, both of Atlanta; her parents, John and Reamonia Millican Abbot of Drummonds; a brother, Paul Abbott of Memphis, and five grandchildren.

[Barbara June Abbott Shelley; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 14 Dec 2003; Pg 29]

Janie Reamonia Rann

JANIE REAMONIA RANN, 17, of Drummonds, Tenn., clerk for Abbott Diamond Enterprises, died Thursday at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Munford (Tenn.) Funeral Home with Burial in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Drummonds. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. She leaves her great-grandparents who raised her, Reamonia and John Abbott of Drummonds; a half-brother, John Abbot Peak of Texas, and her grandmother, Barbara Shelley of Drummonds.

[Janie Reamonia Rann; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 20 Sep 2003; Pg 15]

John A Murrell Death

Lillian Oreed Smith

Lillian was born August 22, 1903, in Tipton County, Tennessee and died June 22, 1992, in Covington, Tennessee.  She married William Austin Rhodes, May 25, 1924.  William was born July 18, 1894, and died September 17, 1980.  Lillian taught school in the schoolhouse at Bethel as a very young woman.  Then she went to Memphis where she met and married Austin.  They operated drug stores, sometimes one and sometimes two, in north Memphis most of their adult lives.  One of the stores was on Leath Street very near Humes High School and the other was on Manassas Street.  Rather late in life, they bought the old Smith family house and four acres from Lillian’s mother, Della, and moved back to Tipton County.  They put in a hen house for laying hens and sold eggs until retirement.  Austin and Lillian never had any children.  They both are buried in the “New Part” of Bethel Cemetery.

[ from An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County, page 178]

Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes Obituary

ATOKA – Lillian Smith Rhodes, 88, retired merchant, died Monday at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton after a long illness.  Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Munford Funeral Home with burial in Bethel Cemetery.  She was a member of Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Home Demonstration Club.  Mrs. Rhodes, the widow of Austin Rhodes, leaves a sister, Carmen Smith of Memphis, and two brothers, A. T. Smith of Atoka and Richard Smith of Gautier, Miss.

[Rhodes, Lillian Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 24 Jun 1992; Pg 11]

Delayed birth certificate Lillian Oreed Smith
Delayed birth certificate Lillian Oreed Smith
Lillian Oreed Smith and W A Rhodes Marriage License
Lillian Oreed Smith and W A Rhodes Marriage License
Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes
Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes
Richard Arnold Smith

Richard was born on June 29, 1912, and died in Pascagoula, Mississippi on June 3, 1994.  He married Zelma Wright on October 19, 1940.  Richard attended college at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.  I do not know if he got a degree or not.  After college, he went to work for Continental Gin Company as a sales engineer in Birmingham.  He and Zelma lived there for a long time.  He finally did transfer to Memphis and lived there for several years.  During his years with Continental Gin Company, he traveled a lot, even to India for several months to install a cotton gin there.  After a long career with Continental, they bought a small tourist court in Pascagoula and moved down there to operate it.  This facility consisted of several individual cottages scattered through a pine grove.  They did most of the work themselves, just hiring people to supplement in areas that they could not see after twenty-four hours per day.  Most of their clientele were extended stay types who worked on the shrimp boats that fished out of the Pascagoula harbor and construction workers who were there for several months at a time.  Of course, they did do some overnight business, too.  Later in life, when the work became too difficult, they sold the tourist court and retired to Dolphin Island where they lived until Richard died.  It is assumed that both Richard and Zelma are buried in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

[An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County]

Jackson County Memorial Park

Iva Electa Smith

Iva Electa was born April 20, 1901, and died December 24, 1991, in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee.  She married Lenvil Gordon Beaver on March 30, 1925.  He died February 21, 1949.  They lived in the community that was named after his family, Beaver, or sometimes referred to as Beaver Town.  There was a store and cotton gin, both of which he owned.  They lived in a house that sat across the road from the store.  They had five children: Lenvil Oneda, Iva Shirley, Steve, Carmen Theo, and Lemuel Gordon Beaver.  Gordon and Iva Electa are buried in Ravencroft Cemetery in Tipton County, Tennessee.

[An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County, page 178]

After the death of Gordon in 1949, Iva Electa married Jesse Ray Blakey on 21 Aug 1970.  Both the bride and the groom were 69 years of age.

Iva Electa passed away on 24 Dec 1991.  Her obit is below:

BRIGHTON – Electa Smith Beaver Blakey, 90, former teacher, died Tuesday at Hardin County General Hospital in Savannah.  Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Munford Funeral Home with burial in Ravenscroft Cemetery.  She was a member of Beaver Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and the Women’s Bible Class.  Mrs. Blakey, the widow of Gordon Beaver and J. R. Blakey, leaves three daughters, Lenvil Leadbetter of Savannah, Shirley Dyer of Clinton, Ill., and Carmen Harshfield of Somerville; a son, Gordon ‘Lem’ Beaver Jr. of Brighton; two sisters, Carmen Smith of Memphis and Lillian Rhodes of Savannah; two brothers, A. T. Smith of Atoka and Richard Smith of Gauthier, Miss., 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Electa Smith Beaver Blakey; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN; 26 Dec 1991; Pg 29
Electa Smith Beaver Blakey; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN; 26 Dec 1991; Pg 29

 

Gordon and Electa Beaver's Headstone in Ravenscroft Cemetery
Gordon and Electa Beaver’s Headstone in Ravenscroft Cemetery
Delayed Birth Record Iva Electa Smith
Delayed Birth Record Iva Electa Smith
Electa Smith marriage to Lenvil Gordon Beaver
Electa Smith marriage to Lenvil Gordon Beaver
Electa Smith Beaver Marriage to Jesse Ray Blakey
Electa Smith Beaver Marriage to Jesse Ray Blakey
Carmen Theo Smith

Carmen was born on 24 Oct 1898 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  After graduating high school, Carmen moved to Memphis where she was a bookkeeper and secretary for William G. Smith.  William owned a refrigerator business.  They soon fell in love and where married on 24 Jun 1927.  William had three children from a previous marriage, and he and Carmen did not have any children.  They lived on E. Cherry Circle in Memphis.  According to Wayne Smith, their house was very nice and sat on about two acres of land.  Carmen died on 6 Feb 2000 in Shelby County, Tennessee.  Both William and Carmen are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

Obituary for Carmen Theo Smith

Carmen T. Smith, 101, of Bartlett, retired bookkeeper for Smith’s Refrigeration Co., died of heart failure Sunday at Ave Maria Nursing Home.  Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Park.  She was a choir member at Broadmoor Baptist Church, taught Sunday school, and was a charter member at Sunset Baptist Church.  Mrs. Smith, the widow of William G. Smith, leaves a brother, A. T. Smith of Atoka, Tenn. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Churchin Atoka.

Carmen T Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 8 Feb 2000; Pg 14
Carmen T Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 8 Feb 2000; Pg 14

 

Delayed Birth Certificate
Delayed Birth Certificate
1910 US Census
1910 US Census
1920 US Census
1920 US Census
1940 US Census
1940 US Census
1950 US Census
1950 US Census
Allie Perry Smith

Allie was born about 1865 and died on 10 Aug 1911.  Allie worked as a clerk in  a store in Randolph, Tennessee.  He never married.

There is an old rumor that Allie was shot and killed.  The suspect, a jealous husband, but no one was ever charged with the crime.  It seems, although an interesting story, this cannot be true as his death certificate states he died of Typhoid Fever.

Fannie Smith

Fannie was born in 1867.  She married John W Reeves (1862-1945) on 7 Feb 1889 in Tipton County, Tenn.  The couple had two children:  Baudine and Finis Henry Uric.  The Reeves family was instrumental in the growth of business and church affairs in Atoka.  John was a merchant for many years and he was very active in the civic projects of the town.  They were members of the Methodist Church, where Fannie taught Sunday school.  Their son, Finis, born 6 Aug 1895, was confined to a wheelchair because of a spinal injury he received as a child.  He died on 28 Jan 1924, at the at of 29. Fannie, John and Finis are buried in Bethel Cemetery.  Baudine, who was born 19 Nov 1893, married James C Smith (1891-1981) on 3 Sep 1916 in Tipton County, Tenn.  Baudine died in Dec of 1981 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery.

 

William Richard Smith

William was born February 16, 1863, and died 22 Oct 1900.  He married Lula Victoria Aycock.  The couple farmed between Tipton and Bethel on land they had purchased.  William and Lula had two daughters, Dorcas Smith and Gladys Smith, and one son, William R Smith who was born 16 Feb 1901, and died 25 Feb 1902.  William and Lula are buried in Bethel Cemetery in unmarked graves.  Their son, William, is buried in part “C” of the cemetery.  They are probably buried in that vicinity.

After William’s death, Lula married Walter Lyles. Walter had a child from a previous marriage named Helen.  Walter and Lula did not have children.

Edward Scott Smith

Edward was born 1860 and died in 1932.  He married Laura McCormick who was born 1859 and died in 1945.  They lived in Shelby County near the Tipton County line just south of Bethel Road.  They farmed, but the land was very poor and they did not do very well.  After their children were grown, Ed and Laura moved into a house located on Tipton Road between Tipton and Munford.  They are buried in the “C” section of Bethel Cemetery.  The children of Edward and Laura McCormick were daughter Myrtle and twins Roger B. and Rodney.

John Alexander Smith

John Alexander married Jarusha Dorcas Walker Oct. 28, 1959 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of John and Frances Walker.  Jarusha was born July 20, 1842, and died April 24, 1917.  John and Jarusha are buried in the “B” section of Bethel Cemetery.

Arthur Theophilus Smith said that he always heard that John and Jarusha did not own the house and property where they were living when John died.  This property was located in Shelby County between Tracy Road and Mudville Road.  Today the road is known as Mulberry Road.  Somehow, Jarusha managed to raise seven children and purchase a portion of the property, at least the house and maybe some land.  The children of John A. and Jarusha Walker Smith were:  Edward Scott, William Richard, Allie, Fannie, Auther Theophilus, Wyatt Andrew and Johnny LeAndrew.