TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS FROM BLACK CEMETERIES IN MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, compiled by Jonathan K. T. Smith
COPYRIGHT, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995
Special thanks go to Jonathan K. T. Smith for his work to preserve and share this information about black cemeteries in Madison County and for giving permission to convert this work to web pages.
BERRY ZION CEMETERY
Located about 12½ miles east of Jackson, Tennessee, off U. S. Highway 412-E. Many unmarked graves, numerous funeral home markers illegible.
Page 139
East of Cemetery Driveway
R. D. RODGERS, Tennessee PFC 923 AAF AB SCTY BN, June 10, 1922-Aug. 2, 1952
VERA N. SHARP, Oct. 5, 1905-Feb. 15, 1985
WALTER SHARP, U.S. Army, World War II, Oct. 29, 1890-May 13, 1976
ARVIE DAY, S1, US Navy, World War II, Mar. 18, 1925-Mar. 10, 1974
LUTHER DAY, Tennessee PVT US Army, World War I, March 5, 1897-June. 9, 1989
CONNIE WILLIS, 1881-1959, At Rest
ANNIE PEARL WILLIAMS CORBITT, July 21, 1927-Aug. 25, 1981
C. W. MAY, Died ___28, 1973(?), Aged 85
BERNERT WATSON, 1904-1925, Stephenson Funeral Home Marker
MARSHALL P. COX, Tennessee PVT, 802 Pioneer Inf. World War I, Feb. 2, 1898-May 21, 1949
MARY E. SISTRUNK, 1909-1943, Stephenson Funeral Home Marker, Jackson
JAMES CURTIS WARD, III, Mar. 28, 1979-Mar. 30, 1979
Double tombstone: REACIE M. RODGERS, Feb. 14, 1890-Nov. 10, 1960, In Loving Memory\DANIEL C. RODGERS, Jan. 1, 1881-Aug. 30, 1966, In Loving Memory
CHARLES EDWARD JORDAN, Dec. 8, 1932-Feb. 5, 1939
MAGGIE HUTCHERSON DAY, July 28, 1898-June 5, 1959, Rest in Peace
Double tombstone: Mrs. NORMA D. FEATHERSTON, Oct. 10, 1907-Mar. 18, 1994\WILLIE MAE D. MASON, May 22, 1909-Dec. 22, 1989
IDA GODWIN, 1885-1970, At Rest
ROBERT L. CORBITT, Tennessee SGT, US Army, World War II, August 12, 1917-February 19, 1971
Mrs. ANNIE MAE BARNETT Died May(?) 28, 1973, a funeral home marker
Mrs. WILLIE ANN WILSON, Died Dec. 4, 1974, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker, Jackson
MAE BELL HAYES GRAHAM, Nov. 6, 1927-Feb. 23, 1944
JOHN J. MAY, Dec. 25, 1870-Mar. 8, 1946
SID WATSON, Born June 10, 1888, Died Aug. 26, 1926, Theus Temple 930, Jackson, Tenn.
DANIEL WATSON, Died May 20, 1913, Weep not, he is at rest.
Page 140
South and Southeast Sections of Cemetery
LITTLE J. T., Son of Floyd & Cora PYLES, Born in 1912, Died in 1913, Gone but not forgotten
Double tombstone: ROBERT F. ESTES, Apr. 7, 1873-Mar. 7, 1959\ADA C. ESTES, Oct. 19, 1883-no death date
S. FENNER, Died July 12, 1976, Aged 50, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
ROY HORTON, Illegible funeral home marker
MARGARET MARIE ANDERSON, Died April 17, 1969, Aged 33 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
Double tombstone: ANNIE M. WILLIAMS, March 20, 1909-____\JOHN WILLIAMS, May 5, 1907-Sept. 24, 1977
ELIJAH HAYES, Tennessee PVT US Army, World War II, July 27, 1886-December 19, 1973
WILLIE HOWARD McHANEY, Oct. 9, 1939-Oct. 6, 1963
Mr. HOWARD McHANEY, Died October 1, 1976, Aged 63, Ford Funeral Home Marker, Jackson
EMMETT HAYES, PVT, US Army, World War II, Oct. 27, 1926-Jan. 27, 1978
JOSEPH SWIFT, PVT, 804 Pioneer Inf., World War I, (Died) September 13, 1936
LULA MAE SWIFT PICKENS, Apr. 21, 1919-Dec. 19, 1986
J. C. BRITT, US Army, World War II, Dec. 29, 1916-Feb. 25, 1977
ANNIE RODGERS, Died June 18, 1945, Age 85 Years
EDD ESTES, 1883-1964 (Masonic Emblem)
Mr. JAMES ISAAC HORTON, Died August 26, 1989, Age 42 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
Ms. ALICE JEAN HORTON, Died Oct. 13, 1991, Age 46 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
Mrs. LIZZIE MAE BARNETT, Died Dec. l, 1975, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
MOLLIE, wife of D. RODGERS, Born 1861, Died April 13, 1913, Gone but not forgotten
H. B. MAY, 1843-Dec. 1915, At Rest
BELL McHANEY, Died Apr. 16, 1953
ALBERTA HAYES, Feb. 2, 1903-Jan. 5, 1955
LIZZIE B. SPENCER, June 20, 1918-Mar. 6, 1963
NEWTON WATSON, Nov. 15, 1883-Apr. 25, 1967
DORIS SNIPES, (Died) Feb. 24, 1992, A funeral home marker
CORA MOORE H. WATSON, Aug. 5, 1869-Dec. 22, 1963, Gone but not forgotten
ODIE BLAIR, Illinois, 809 Pioneer Inf. World War I, (Died) September 12, 1941
HERRON tombstone: ROBERTA HERRON, Oct. 10, 1914, Departed this Life Dec. 16, 1961; on east side inscribed:Your Loving Daughter Cora C. Gillard & Family
Page 141
H. J KEY, Tennessee PFC 4341 QM SVC Co. World War II, January 8, 1913-January 1, 1954
Mrs. DORA L. TOMLINSON, Apr. 8, 1927-June 15, 1976
SIDNEY WILLIAMS, Mar. 30, 1927-June 23, 1959
TILLIA HUSLEY ESTERS, 1908-1987
ERNEST TATE, A funeral home marker
ARLINE ESTES, Died Mar. 3, 19?, 37 Years, Ford Funeral Home Marker
Double tombstone: RUBY ESTES, June 19, 1894-no death date\YOUNG ESTES, Sept. 7, 1883-Aug. 13, 1958, Gone but not forgotten
WILL TALLY, Mar. 27, 1877-Jan. 11, 1924 (a broken stone)
EVA MAE SWIFT, Feb. 3, 1917-May 11, 1975
IVA BROWN, Oct. 25, 1887-Apr. 5, 1964
Mrs. ANNIE ESTES, Born September ?, ?, Died Feb. 2, 1964, Bledsoe Funeral Home Marker, Jackson
BLANCHE BROWN, Nov. 29, 1892-Aug. 21, 1961
RUFUS WADE FRANKLIN, Tennessee PFC 308 AAF Base Unit World War II, Aug. 9, 1925-Oct. 3, 1950
West Section of Cemetery
Double tombstone: SAMPSON WILLIS, Died Apr. 19, 1889\HARRIETT WILLIS, Died Sep. 23, 1906, A loving Father, A Mother Dear Lie Buried Here
SHELBY BLACK, Feb. 13, 1937-Apr. 13, 1937
SYLVESTER NEAL, June 9, 1921-June 24, 1954, In loving Memory
SARAH, wife of Paul PERSON, Died Feb. 4, 1902, Died in full triumph of faith. Sleep on dear Mother.
MIDDLETON F. WILLIS, Born Feb. 23, 1888, Died Mar. 14, 1905, Jesus loves the pure and holy.
We love Our Mother, O. D. WILLIS, Nov. 4, 1902-Aug. 24, 1926
Mr. D. L. SWIFT, 1921-1987, Peoples Funeral Home Marker, Lexington, Tennessee
Double tombstone: CLARA E. BLACK, 1911-____\R. D. BLACK, 1906-1993, His Funeral Home Marker dates: Feb. 12, 1906-April 9, 1993, Bledsoe Funeral Home Marker, Jackson
Double tombstone: EMERSON NEAL, 1881-1967\RAYMEL NEAL, 1889-no death date, In loving Memory
PRENTICE E. WILLIS, Born Mar. 15, 1895, Died Feb. 23, 1914, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
LEROY WILLIS, PFC, US Army, World War II, Apr. 6, 1926-Dec. l, 1991
Page 142
* * * * *
Enclosed in concrete border:
SHALLIE B., Dau. of A. H. & M. L. PEARSON, May 28, 1902-Mar. 30, 1920
CLEOFARD, son of Shellie B. PEARSON, Born & Died 1920, Gone to live with Jesus
Footstone inscribed M. W. marks grave
* * * * *
LEROY CURTAIN, Apr. 14, 1959-Mar. 6, 1975
MILTON WILLIS, 1863-1927, Gone but not forgotten
Double tombstone: L. V. CLIFTON, 1901-1983\Helen L. DESARZANT, 1921-no death date
Double tombstone: LEVI WILLIS, 1861-1940\SUSIE WILLIS, 1863-1946
Double tombstone: WILLIAM WILLIS, Nov. 12, 1899-Dec. 2, 1971\GUY EULA WILLIS, Feb. 7, 1902-grave filled but no death date, Together Forever
W. V. SWIFT, Apr. 3, 1911-Feb. 13, 1981, In loving Memory, Katherine
LIZZIE ESTES, June 9, 1872-Aug. 27, 1969, At Rest
Double tombstone: JAMES U. MAYS, Aug. 30, 1900-no death date\MAGGIE W. MAYS, Nov. 28, 1900-Jan. 24, 1969
MABLE JANICE JENKINS, Apr. 29, 1925-Oct. 20, 1956, At Rest
LOUISE BARNETT WILLIAMS, 1985
SARAH E. REID, 1900-1973
Double tombstone: D. L. SWIFT, 1921-1987\LAURA B. SWIFT, 1923-no death date, In God’s Care
Mrs. CANZADIA THOMAS, Died December 10, 1992, Aged 77 Years, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker
DERSIE SANDLIN, 1882-1932
J. D. DONNELL, Mar. 21, 1900-Jan. 19, 1971
Double tombstone: DERSIE L. SANLIN, June 30, 1881-May 3, 1932, Mother\CHARLES W. SANLIN, Aug. 7, 1880-June 24, 1956, Father
GRAICE M. CLARK, Oct. 26, 1923-Sept. 11, 1968
Double tombstone: JOSEPH BEARD, Aug. 7, 1901-Aug. 30, 1977\MAPLE BEARD, Jan. 13, 1902-no death date
DOROTHY MAE SWIFT, May 2, 1931
Double tombstone: HARFORD JORDAN, 1911-Nay 3, 1998\EUNICE JORDAN, 1914-no death date, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Marker indicates that she died Mar. 13, 1990
EMMA NEAL, 1890-1928, At Rest
ASBERRY WILLIAMS, Mississippi PVT 816 Pioneer Inf., July 7, 1942
ARVIE DAY, May 22, 1915-Oct. 18, 1946
Page 143
ELLA DIGGS, wife of C. W., ANDERSON, Born Aug. 17, 1857, Died Apr. 4, 1916, Aged 57 Years 8 Mos. & 17 ds.
Double tombstone: NATHAN DAY, July 14, 1871-no death date\JESSIE DAY, Mar. 7, 1880-June 28, 1935
Double tombstone: ERVIN CATHEY, Nov 9, 1964\KATIE CATHEY, Jan 9, 1962, In Loving Memory
Double tombstone: GENNIE W. BARNETT, Sept. 1, 1916-Dec. 7, 1965\M. LOUISE BARNETT, May 18, 1918-Nov. 30, 1986, In Loving Memory
* * * * *
Concrete enclosure:
MILTON WILLIS, May 26, 1945-June 21, 1984
SAMUEL GARFIELD WILLIS, Michigan, PVT US Army Vietnam, July 4, 1945-March 8, 1972
DENNIS WILLIS, Oct. 4, 1909-Mar. 8, 1972
JAVAN WILLIS, Tennessee PVT, US Army, World War II, June 21, 1910-December 18, 1971
An unmarked grave except for footstone reading "Son."
* * * * *
Double tombstone: KERMIT W. WILLIS, Dec. 12, 1916-(December 27, 1996)\EVA NELL WILLIS, Mar. 11, 1919-Nov. l, 1988
JENNIE, wife of E. C. DAY, Feb. 28, 1869-Apr. 3, 1916
Double tombstone: SAM ANDERSON, Husband, Mar. 25, 1869-no death date\EARMER ANDERSON, Wife, Feb. 6, 1899-Nov. 11, 1945
Double tombstone: JAMES I. DAY, SR., Apr. 22, 1912-Sept. 5, 1983\SALLIE F. DAY, Oct. 31, 1915-no death date
Double tombstone: HATTIE F. BARNETT, 1884-1970\JAMES M. BARNETT, 1868-1939, Love Made Us One
GUY WILLIE DONNELL, SR., Apr. 25, 1896-Mar. 19, 1957
VELMA MAY DONNELL, Apr. 8, 1895-Feb. 2, 1948
Rev. ANDREW ADAMS, Died July 4, 1937, Aged 80 Yrs. 11 mos., A funeral home marker
Double tombstone: SAMMIE WILLIS, Mar. 4, 1871-March 20, 1958\LULA WILLIS, Aug. 4, 1881-May 30, 1972, When They Ring Those Golden Bells
Double tombstone: ESTER ANDERSON, Sept. 13, 1914-Aug. 14, 1939\MARY D. ANDERSON, Dec. 13, 1887-no death date
CARENT WILLIS, no visible dates
SAMMIE C. ESTES, 1883-1939
GROVER C. CLIFTON, PVT US Army, World War I, July 5, 1886-Jan. 5, 1979
Death Certificate indicates buried here also:
ALFRED ROGERS, 1847-May 22, 1917. Son of Emanuel Rogers and Mary Rogers.
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