SALEM C.M.E. CHURCH CEMETERY
(Morning Star Cemetery)Salem C.M.E. Church Cemetery, August 2003
Salem C.M.E. Church Cemetery is located in northeast Madison County on Ashport Road just over two miles from U.S. Highway 70. The cemetery is kept mown. There are many, many unmarked graves.
David Donahue recorded this cemetery on August 10, 2003 based on earlier work by Jonathan K. T. Smith. Mr. Smith's 1995 record appears in his Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries in Madison County, Tennessee and a 2000 update appears in his Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries in Madison County, Tennessee, Volume 2. These works are referred to collectively as Smith in the notes below. Mr. Smith notes that this cemetery is also known as Morning Star Cemetery.
______, Lue Annse, June 5, 1906-Nov. 6, 1920 (eroding concrete marker) [dates are unreadable in 2003 and are those reported by Smith in 1995]
Anderson, Georgia, Mrs., d. July 21, 1943 [unreadable in 2003 but reported by Smith in his 1995 supplement; this is grave covered by broken, grave-length concrete slab]
Anderson, Gilbert, 1900-1947, "Brother"
Anderson, Willie B., May 5, 1919-Nov. 8, 1998
Anderson-Chears, Chris, Nov. 12, 1878-Aug. 23, 1942, "Father"
Anderson-Chears, Eliza, May 11, 1880-June 13, 1955, "Mother"Askew, Emma Lee, 1901-1928 (disintegrating concrete marker)
Askew, Man, Dec. 12, 1861-Apr. 3, 1955
Askew, Mariah Fly, 1872-1917
Askew, Mary E., Feb. 16, 1886-June 10, 1940, "Mother"
Askew, Henry, Sept. 10, 1887-Oct. 18, 1923, "Father"
"Given by Daughter Altha Cathey April 1977"Askew, Mary, Dec. 25, 1873-Sept. 29, 1942 [adjacent to marker for Man Askew]
Askew, Mary, May 22, 1902-July 29, 2000
Askew, Joe H., Aug. 14, 1898-Oct. 9, 1970Askew, Sue Willis, May 8, 1936-____, "Mama"
Askew, Charles W., Aug. 11, 1935-May 5, 1984, "Daddy"
"Our Children Diane and CharliseAskey, Murphry, Oct. 14, 1878-Oct. 8, 1918 [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]
Autry, Irene, Mrs., Apr. 22, 1919-Apr. 24, 2003, temporary marker, Stephenson-Shaw, 2 yards north of marker for Russell Lee Autry
Autry, Russell Lee, May 31, 1923-Mar. 29, 1973
Barham, Mattie R., Apr. 8, 1904-Oct. 6, 1994, "Our beloved mother"
Beard, Andra Earl, Sept. 13, 1961-Feb. 9, 2001
Bills, Frank, July 20, 1945-Mar. 23, 1999, military marker "SP4 US Army"
Blair, James Ivy, June 29, 1914-Aug. 30, 1970
Bobo, Anthony, Sept. 9, 1949-Feb. 26, 1988, military marker "PFC US Army Vietnam"
Boone, Essie Mae, Feb. 14, 1915-Mar. 4, 1989
Boone, Willie B., Mar. 10, 1911-Feb. 15, 1992
"Married Sept. 2, 1933"Boyd, Mary [see Forbes, Mary Boyd]
Boyd, Willie, no dates
Brown, Arthur B., Nov. 10, 1913-____, military marker as footstone "Arthur Barley Brown" "Pvt US Army World War II"; dates on military marker Nov. 10, 1913-Nov. 8, 1993
Brown, Amanda G., Oct. 15, 1918-Feb. 14, 1970Brown, Erma Erzel, Mrs., Oct. 28, 1913-Mar. 18, 2003, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 2½ feet north of marker for O. B. Brown
Brown, Lizzie, Feb. 9, 1880-Oct. 22, 1974
Brown, O. B., Mar. 12, 1909-June 14, 1977
Brown, Ocie Bell, July 16, 1912-____, also temporary marker, Stephenson-Shaw, d. Mar 13, 2001
Brown, Willie T. "Pete," Mar. 8, 1905-Feb. 22, 1980
"Married Aug. 1, 1928"Butler, Endia Sandelin, Dec. 1880-May 6, 1942 [replacement]
Carpenter, Elizabeth W., 1896-1979
Carter, Eddie Mae, Jan. 1, 1921-May 28, 1994, unplaced "Mother" footstone
Carter, Clifford, Oct. 12, 1909-____, unplaced "Father" footstone
"Married Nov. 21, 1942"Cathey, Altha M., Dec. 12, 1903-Dec. 13, 1991 [she was an Askew per double marker for her parents, Mary E. and Henry Askew]
Cathey, A. Z., Apr. 25, 1905-Feb. 14, 1983
"Beloved parents"Cathey, William, d. Feb. 10, 1999, Aged 78 Yrs., temporary marker, Stephenson-Sgaw Funeral Home, 5 feet north of double marker for Julie and Mattie Horton
Clanton, Nathaniel, May 10, 1898-Nov. 5, 1968, "Father" footstone
Clanton, Rader, Feb. 9, 1901-____, "Mother" footstoneClark, Mary L., 1898-1913, "Dau. of Silas & Sarah Clark"
Collins, Arlean, Oct. 19, 1902-Sept. 27, 1984
Collins, Will, Mar. 7, 1884-Mar. 10, 1961
Conley, David S., Feb. 12, 1896-Dec. 29, 1968, military marker as footstone "Tennessee PFC 368 Infantry World War I"
Conley, David Sylvester, 1896-1968
Conley, Henrietta Godwin, 1908-1982Conley, Minnie A., 1898-____
Conley, James R., 1894-1966, military marker as footstone "Tennessee PFC Co L 802 Pioneer Inf World War I"; datse on military marker: July 4, 1893-Jan. 8, 1966Curry, Ophelia A., Mrs., d. Oct. 19, 1994, Age 91, temporary marker, Stephenson-Shaw, 6 feet north of marker for Willie B. Anderson
Daniels, Mattie Lee, Jan. 13, 1921-Feb. 1, 1984
Darnell, Alexander, 1887-1932
Darnell, Delia, 1894-1980Darnell, Brooks, Feb. 26, 1917-Oct. 24, 1987, military marker "PFC US Army World War II"
Darnell, Chest, May 11, 1909-Oct. 7, 1941
Darnell, Harriett, Died Dec. 26, 1915, Aged 75 Years, "Wife of Calvin Darnell"
Darnell, Joe Henry, Oct. 1, 1908-Apr. 5, 1980, "Father"
Darnell, Mamie Lue, July 3, 1897-Dec. 30, 1964
Darnell, John Henry, Sept. 7, 1896-June, 24, 1986Darnell, Sedia Erma, Dec. 10, 1914-Jan. 25, 1990, "Wife of J. H. Darnell" "Mother"
Darnell, Seronie, Jan. 1, 1890-July 31, 1966
Darnell, Eli R., July 10, 1880-Mar. 9, 1957Darnell, William, 1860-1928
Darnell, Esther, 1885-1927Day, Georgia, 1890-1969, "Grandchildren" [adjacent to marker for Jule Day]
Day, Jule, 1889-1970, "Grandchildren"
DeBerry, Lizzie, no dates
Donall, Violet, 1844-1917 (badly eroded concrete marker)
Dornell, E. M., May 7, 1912-Feb. 18, 1914, "Son of W. M. & E. N. Dornell" [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995; might be one of the disintegrating concrete markers]
Elgin, Betty, Mrs., d. Mar. 28, 1993, temporary marker, Stephenson Shaw, along southern fence opposite gate
Fly, Mariah [see Askew, Mariah Fly]
Forbes, Mary Boyd, Feb. 28, 1923-May 6, 1999
Forbes, Thomas O. W., Jan. 13, 1919-June 1, 1981, military marker as footstone "PFC US Army, World War II"Forbes, Rebecca Ann, June 10, 1943-Feb. 17, 1997, "Loving Sister" [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 2000]
Givens, Willie T., d. Apr. 23, 2003, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 5 feet south of double marker for Arthur B. and Amanda G. Brown
Godwin, Birdie, Dec. 31, 1894-July 25, 1977, "Mother"
Godwin, Wonner, July 22, 1889-June 3, 1971, "Father"
"Married July 17, 1910"Godwin, Earline, Dec. 6, 1924-____\Godwin, Prentiss, Sr., Dec. 13, 1916-Dec. 3, 2002, "Married June 10, 1939"
Godwin, Elizabeth, 1875-1952
Godwin, Dorsey, 1879-19__Godwin, Emerson, 1874-1912, "Father" (disintegrating concrete marker) [2 feet north of marker for Matilda Godwin]
Godwin, Eugene H., Aug. 25, 1919-Dec. 14, 1990 (homemade) [3 feet north of double marker for Birdie and Wonner Godwin]
Godwin, Florence, Oct. 21, 1914-May 3, 1998
Godwin, Geneva, 1921-1997 (homemade); also temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, d. Nov. 29, 1997, 2nd grave, 7 feet north of double marker for Birdie and Wonner Godwin
Godwin, Grace W., Oct. 21, 1909-Ju1y 22, 1985
Godwin, Willie C., Sept. 20, 1904-Mar. 6, 1980Godwin, Henrietta [see Conley, Henrietta Godwin]
Godwin, Henry, 1821-Mar. 31, 1925, "Beloved father grandfather great grandfather" [replacement]
Godwin, James H., Feb. 20, 1905-Dec. 22, 1969, "Brother"
Godwin, Leroy "Dike," Jan. 17, 1935-Apr. 1, 1986
Godwin, Maggie, 1899-1917 (fallen, disintegrating concrete marker) [adjacent to marker for R. L. Godwin]
Godwin, Mamie S., July 1, 1882-Aug. 26, 1978
Godwin, P. H., Aug. 31, 1883-Mar. 2, 1974Godwin, Matilda, Oct. 10, 1876-Jan. 26, 1953, "Wife" [adjacent to marker for Emerson Godwin]
Godwin, Paul, Jr., Mar. 25, 1958-June 14, 1983
Godwin, R. L., 1889-1913 (disintegrating concrete marker)
Godwin, Thelford, July 19, 1914-August 7, 1996, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 6 feet north of double marker for Mamie S. and P. H. Godwin
Godwin, Virginia, 1911-Oct. 24, 1949, "Wife"
Godwin, Dorsey, 1900-Apr. 16, 1967, "Husband"Goodwin, M. L., 1907-1915 [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in his 1995 supplement; Smith notes that his death certificates shows that this male child was born in 1908 and died Feb. 26, 1916]
Hall, Amanda, Apr. 24, 1931-Dec. 11, 1988
Herron, Milton Louis, Apr. 11, 1957-July 8, 1997
Hilliard, George Amos, Sept. 19, 1950-Oct. 6, 1993, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]
Hilliard, Joe W., July 31, 1913-Mar. 3, 1990
Horton, Jule, 1918-Dec. 21, 1969
Horton, Mattie, 1894-Dec. 15, 1951Hunt, Karen Cynthia, Oct. 26, 1959-Sept. 12, 2003, "Heidi"
Karen Cynthia Hunt
Hutcherson, Edgar, 1889-1962
Hutcherson, Lydie, 1896-1947
"Beloved parents"Hutcherson, Ella, 1864-Aug. 18, 1928, Pettigrew Rising Star Chamber 2680 Jackson, Tenn. (fallen)
Hutcherson, Eunell, B., Sept. 22, 1934-Oct. 9, 1999
"Wed Oct. 15, 1962" [only name on double marker]Hutchin, Sim, 1888-Feb. 6, 1920, "F. C. B."
Hutchison, Martin, 1861-1924, "Rev."
James, Robert S., Jr., Oct. 27, 1949-Nov. 19, 1982, "Beloved son"
Jones, Edd, Jul. 6, 1919-Oct. 16, 1978, military marker "PFC US Army"
Jones, Elijah, Sep. 12, 1890-Nov. 6, 1915 (disintegrating concrete marker) [9 feet east of marker for Mariah Fly Askew]
Jones, Veola C. Jones, Oct. 22, 1914-____
Jones, Hunter, July 17, 1894-Feb. 27, 1983Jones, Willie Ray, Sept. 16, 1936-July 9, 2000, military marker "US Air Force"
Kelly, Beatrice Mars, Mrs., Mar. 15, 1915-Dec. 7, 1999, temporary marker, 2 feet south of double marker for Anna and Henry Mays [mostly unreadable in 2003; information reported by Smith in 2000]
Kendrick, Manson, Nov. 2, 1923-May 2, 2003
Kenderick, Bonnie, June 10, 1927-____Klumkin, Robert, Nov. 27, 1903-Dec. 22, 1983, temporary marker, Baskerville Funeral Home [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]
Knox, Anderson M., Jr., Oct. 6, 1953-Aug. 15, 2002, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 2 feet north of marker for Teddy Knox
Knox, Cora Smith, Sept. 11, 1911-July 15, 1975
Knox, Teddy, Mar. 14, 1907-Jan. 8, 1985
Lang, ______, 1881-Mar. 18, 1918, "K. of P." (disintegrating concrete marker; name chipped out)
May, Callie, May 1, 1911-Sept. 1911, "Dau. of Henry & Anner May" (fallen)
May, Gladys [see Winston, Gladys May]
May, James, Dec. 22, 1922-Oct. 19, 2001, military marker "PFC US Army World War II"
May, John H., Jan. 8, 1916-Apr. 14, 1982, "Married Nov. 12, 1937" [only name on double marker]
May, Lottie, Mar. 27, 1900-Oct. 15, 1995, "Loving Mom"
May, Ollie D., Aug. 1, 1912-Jan. 1913, "Son of Henry & Anner May" (eroded concrete marker) [dates are those reported by Smith in 1995]
May, Rosie B., Apr. 4, 1924-Apr. 15, 1979, "Mother of Raymond, James, Greg and John" [adjacent to military marker for James May]
May, Rufus, Dec. 31, 1922-Nov. 11, 1974, Pvt US Army
May, Wilco, 1920-1990, military marker "US Army World War II" [Star of David on military marker]
May, William E., Feb. 13, 1904-Dec. 9, 1972
Mays, Anna, Nov. 30, 1883-Feb. 1, 1953
Mays, Henry, Dec. 1, 1877-May 18, 1950Mays, Lily Pearl, Nov. 11, 1934-Apr. 24, 1952, "Born in Memphis, Tennessee" "Died in Rock Island, Illinois"
Mays, Sylvester, d. Jan. 4, 1995, Age 70, temporary marker, Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home [not found or not readable in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]
Neal, George, 1883-1952, "Father" footstone
Neal, Lottie, 1885-1972, "Mother" footstoneNeal, Willie H., Nov. 11, 1926-Oct. 6, 1987, "Father of Sandra & Larry"
Nelson, John, June 25, 1877-July 31, 1911 (fallen)
Owens, Carnell A., Nov. 14, 1927-Feb. 24, 1958
Perkins, Fannie Lue, 1910-1971
Perkins, James, 1910-____Phelps, Clyde, September 15, 1917-July 4, 1970, military marker "Tennessee Pvt Co C 764 Tank Bn World War II"
Pyles, Brooks Edward, Sr., Oct. 21, 1910-Aug. 11, 1982 [not found in 2003; reported by Smith in 1995]
Pyles, Floyd, Apr. 12, 1886-Feb. 22, 1969
Ragland, Epsie, Feb. 27, 1900-April 14, 1971 (loose, homemade marker) [in 2003 fount 5 feet north of marker for Henry Woolfork]
Ragland, Lela Woolfork, May 10, 1900-Oct. 14, 1994, "Mother" "Big Mama"
Randolph, Caleb, 1860-1932
Robinson, Otis, Feb. 2, 1895-July __, ____, temporary marker, along southern fence opposite gate
Rogers, Aaron Lee, Jan. 23, 1933-June 3, 1996, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 9 yards west-northwest of marker for Lily Pears Mays [in 2003 temporary markers for Emmett Rogers and Aron Lee Rogers were on the same grave]
Rogers, Emmett July 16, 1932-Jan. 18, 1994, "Horse Callor," temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, 9 yards west-northwest of marker for Lily Pears Mays [in 2003 temporary markers for Emmett Rogers and Aron Lee Rogers were on the same grave]
Rollins, Ardelia, Nov. 11, 1912-____
Rollins, Harvey T., June 6, 1905-June 13, 1983Rowsey, Geneva, July 12, 1916-____
Rowsey, Dossie, Mar. 10, 1900-Oct. 4, 1976Royal, Charlie, Mar. 30, 1865-Feb. 20, 1958
Royal, Almedia, Mar. 11, 1887-June 3, 1955Royal, Dennis, d. Aug. 2, 1988, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 3 feet south of marker for Floyd Pyles
Royal, Edgar W., Aug. 17, 1919-Aug. 9, 1968
Sandelin, Endia [see Butler, Endia Sandelin]
Simmons, L. Joe, Jr., Oct. 28, 1955-Dec. 25, 1976
Smith, Cora [see Knox, Cora Smith]
Turley, Arthur Webber, July 22, 1929-Sept. 1, 1981, military marker "PFC US Army Korea"
Turley, Guy, Sept. 26, 1903-Feb. 11, 1959, "Father"
Warlick, Aldee Woolfork, June 20, 1907-March 22, 1989, "Loving Aunt"; also temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, "Mrs. Aldee Woolfork Warlick"
Watford, Caraline, 1882-1912, "Wife of Willis Watford" (eroded)
Watson, Charlie, Jan. 17, 1911-July 2, 1994
Watson, Icey W., Aug. 8, 1911-Jan. 4, 1987 [adjacent to marker for Charlie Watson]
Weedle, Melvina, 1863-Aug. 20th 1919, "Wife of Maris Weddle"
Williams, Erwin, April 1, 1909-May 15, 1974, "In memory of our beloved father"
Williams, Leora, no dates
Willis, Flossie A., Mrs., Mar. 26, 1911-Oct. 22, 2001, temporary marker, Bledsoe Funeral Home, at double marker for Chris and Eliza Anderson-Chears
Wilson, James Edward, Apr. 10, 1940-Apr. 20, 2001
Wilson, Peggy, 1899-1988
Winston, John H., Feb. 19, 1940-____, "Husband"
Winston, Gladys May, Aug. 6, 1941-Feb. 9, 2000, "Wife"
"Wed Feb. 6, 1967"Woods, Robert, Jr., d. Apr. 29, 1998, temporary marker, Mercer Brothers, 8 feet east of marker for Robert S. James, Jr.
Woolfolk, Ed, 1842-1932
Woolfolk, Hester, 1850-1939
Woolfolk, Eddie, 1906-1964
Woolfolk, Lee Henry, 1911-1931 [replacement]Woolfolk, Walker, 1891-Oct. 15, 1917, "Husband of Pearlie Woolfolk"
Woolfork, Aldee [see Warlick, Aldee Woolfork]
Woolfork, Cora, Mar. 22, 1889-May 28, 1968, "Mother"
Woolfork, Eddie, 1905-1986, "Father"
Woolfork, Alva A., 1906-2001, "Mother," temporary marker as footstone, Bledsoe Funeral Home, "Mrs. Alyna Glenn Woolfork"Woolfork, Emma, Oct. 24, 1916-Apr. 2, 1982
Woolfork, Henry, Sept. 14, 1880-Apr. 6, 1966
Woolfork, Isaac, 1857-1912, "Father" footstone
Woolfork, Sallie, 1869-1949, "Mother" footstone [replacement]Woolfork, L. W., Apr. 4, 1919-Feb. 24, 1950, military marker Tec3 1866 Engineer Avn Bn World War II
Woolfork, Lelar [see Ragland, Lela Woolfork]
Woolfork, Leona, Sis., May 12, 1908-Feb. 25, 2003, temporary marker, Cosmopolitan Funeral Services, 3 feet north of marker for Lelar Woolfork Ragland
Woolfork, Ludie, Dec. 25, 1887-Sept. 15, 1964, also military marker "Tennessee Pvt Co L 802 Pioneer Inf World War I"
Woolfork, Mary E., May 27, 1910-Aug. 24, 1990Yarbrough, Marie G. Yarbrough, Jan. 3, 1912-Nov. 10, 1960
Other Persons Buried in this Cemetery According to Their Death Certificates (reported by Smith)
Anderson, Nancy Etta, July 1878-Oct. 9, 1924. Parents: Alfred Williams-Millie Watford
Askew, Henry, 1869-Oct. 19, 1923. Parents: Solomon And Sallie Askew
Askew, Lucile, Died April 11, 1924, Aged 12 Years. Parents: Henry Askew-Mary Watford
Askew, Sallie, 1852-July 17, 1923. Mother: Martha Greer
Clanton, Nancy, 1848-August 2, 1918;Widow
Donnell, Violet, Died Feb. 12, 1916, Aged About 85 Years; Born North Carolina. Her tombstone gives dates: 1844-1917
Godwin, Magaline, Sept. 8, 1899-Dec. 29, 1917. Parents: Emerson Godwin-Matilda Anderson
Hervey, Claudia, Nov. 15, 1903-May 18, 1922. Parents: James Hervey-Callie Brown
Kelly Clanton, Male, Died April 29, 1914, Aged About 80 Years
Martin Hutcherson, June 30, 1864-Jan. 25, 1924. Parents: Wash and Malissa Hutcherson. His tombstone bears dates 1861-1924. 1861 is correct altho' from first appearance the "6" in 1861 almost appears to be an "8."
Nelson, Mrs. Mattie, Sept. 23, 1865-Oct. 14, 1921. Parents: Richard and Amanda Mays
Royal, James Edwin, Aug. 2, 1916-Jan. 16, 1923. Parents: C. W. Royal-Almeda Hudson
Watson, Nona, Jan. 1901-July 7, 1916
Woolfolk, Emma, June 6, 1889-July 4, 1914
Woolfolk, Walker, 1888-October 16, 1917. Parents: Ed Woolfolk-Hester Donnell
Woolfork, Isaac, Nov. 15, 1900-May 3, 1922. Parents: Ed Woolfolk-Hester Donnell