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, 1970

Askew, Sue Willis, May 8, 1936-____, "Mama"
Askew, Charles W., Aug. 11, 1935-May 5, 1984, "Daddy"
"Our Children Diane and Charlise

Askey, 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, 1970

Brown, 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" footstone

Clark, 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, 1908-1982

Conley, 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, 1966

Curry, 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, 1894-1980

Darnell, 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, 1986

Darnell, 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, 1957

Darnell, William, 1860-1928
Darnell, Esther, 1885-1927

Day, 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, 1980

Godwin, 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, 1974

Godwin, 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, 1951

Hunt, 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, 1983

Jones, 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, 1950

Mays, 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" footstone

Neal, 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, 1983

Rowsey, Geneva, July 12, 1916-____
Rowsey, Dossie, Mar. 10, 1900-Oct. 4, 1976

Royal, Charlie, Mar. 30, 1865-Feb. 20, 1958
Royal, Almedia, Mar. 11, 1887-June 3, 1955

Royal, 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, 1990

Yarbrough, 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