From Family Findings
Vol. XVIII, No. 2, April 1986, pp. 49-59
Copyright, Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society, 1986
Appears on this web site by permissionROCKY SPRINGS CEMETERY
(Page 49)
In August of 1830 in the State of Tennessee, Madison County, Charles Riddle, John Parker and William Hale, who were of the Baptist faith, living near the meeting house, held a conference to become a body and form a church, which four brethren and a slave was received by them into the presbytery formed. It was pronounced an independent Church, under the principles of the Forked Deer Association on the Saturday before the fourth Lords day; these members were as follows: Battle Robertson, William Kindrick, Peter Black, Andrew Massey and a slave, Sopha.
The meeting house or church was located one and three-quarters miles southeast of the present church near a beautiful spring where crystal clear water bubbled and flowed out over rocks. Because of this spring they decided to name the church Rock Springs!
Some time later a new church was built on the ground where the cemetery is now located. This land was given by the late James Kendrick. Several years later this old church was removed, and a new frame building was erected across the road on the site of the present church. The new building served the congregation for almost a century, until the construction of the new brick church was completed in 1969.
On March 2, 1880 James Kendrick died, and at his request was buried about ten feet from where the old church stood. Thus he became the first person to be buried in Rock Springs Cemetery, more than ninety two years ago.
Others have followed him in death until two hundred and fifty-one are now buried there.
Mr. Marshall Whittenton, an influential citizen of his time, gave property adjoining that of James Kendrick for the cemetery. Although Mr. Whittenton is not buried at Rocky Springs, many of his descendants are. Mr. & Mrs. Vesta Elkins have also given property to the cemetery, joining that given by Mr. Whittenton, and they have already placed a marker there.
(Page 50)
Today as we look out over the cemetery we see twenty-four American flags over the graves of friends and loved ones, who have represented us in four wars. There are 7 Confederate, 1 Spanish-American, 12 World War I, and 4 World War II veterans.
History is in Rocky Springs cemetery. We must keep it alive by perpetuating the memory of all our loved ones in their final resting place.
[HTML editor's notes: Altered from stacked to linear format for HTML presentation. Presented in Family Findings in columns but entries were typed improperly across columns rather than down; thus within group/row designations, entries below should be considered to be out of order. Recorder(s)/compiler(s) are not identified but would have included someone with much knowledge of the community as many entries are annotated. Most of the maiden names and occupations and much of the relationship information probably do not appear on the markers.]
GROUP 1, ROW 1
Woodie Saint, wife of Jimmie Saint, Oct 11, 1877-Jan 20, 1955
Louis Thompson, WW1 veteran, d. Nov 26, 1938
Mattie Lee Thompson, Sept 23, 1892-Nov 19, 1913
Jimmie Saint, Mar 4, 1879-May 21, 1967
Nancy Thompson, Mar. 13, 1855-June 11, 1946, Mother
Bessie Thompson Johnson, Feb 11, 1889-Jan 12, 1916
Charles Johnson (Farmer), 1827-1948 [in the copy of Family Findings in the Jackson-Madison County Library, "1827" has been scratched out and "1887" written above]
James Thompson, Mar 3, 1852-Oct 28, 1928, Father
GROUP 2
Omer Crowder, employee of Crowder's Feed Co., Apr 6, 1898-Oct 5, 1962
Sarah Crowder, Joe's 1st wife, d. Jan 11, 1933
Ledie Louise Counts, Sept 7, 1931-July 6, 1932
Joe N. Crowder (Dad of Omer), Oct 30, 1868-May 2, 1944
Emma Crowder, Oct 27, 1875-Aug 7, 1901
Lizzie Browder, Joe's 2nd wife, Nov 10, 1875-Apr 25, 1947
John Counts, May 3, 1906-Mar. 31, 1955
GROUP 3
Oscar Dunston, no marker, dates unknown
Sarah Johnson, wife of Henry Clay, no marker, dates unknown
A brother of Oscar Dunston, name and dates unknown
Infant grave, unmarked
Henry Clay Johnson, Confederate Veteran, July 26, 1844-Dec 22, 1932
Sallie Johnson, daughter, no marker
(Page 51)
GROUP 4, ROW 4
Norma Elias Johnson, Veteran WWI, Mar 13, 1895-Mar 18, 1949
Stanford Johnson, farmer, 1847-1911
Grave of child, no name
Mattie Williams Johnson, 1st wife of R. Mack, Dec.7, 1884-Feb 25, 1908
Rueben Johnson, farmer, Apr 29, 1859-Apr 29, 1929
Gilbert Lee Johnson, Aug 10, 1894-July 23, 1899
Nathan Terry Johnson, son of Reid, Mar 12, 1939-Mar 12, 1939
Ruben Johnson, July 4, 1884-1962
Mary Green Kirby Johnson, 1857-1926
R. Mack Johnson, farmer, July 25, 1861-June 13, 1938
Jennie Johnson, student, Oct 10, 1897-Oct 21, 1898
Dovie C. Johnson, wife of Rueben, Sept 7, 1870-Mar 29, 1951
George Ervin Johnson, June 6, 1908-July 6, 1908
Mrs. _____ Kirby, Mary Green's mother, unmarked
Fannie Johnson Allison, Mack Johnson's daugh, d. Mar 8, 1965, age 60 yrs
Millie Johnson, 2nd wife of R. Mack, 1865-1930
George Pope Johnson, July 9, 1894-July 12, 1916
Randle Hays Johnson, May 30, 1895-July 25, 1899
Reid Johnson, farmer, son of Ruben, Jan 26, 1903-Mar 18, 1962
GROUP 4, ROW 5
Amanda Mills, 1884-1905
James Mills, Mar 26, 1870-July 24, 1949
John Clifford, Nov 15, 1904-Dec 12, 1905
Tennessee Mills, 1830-1913
Maggie Pool, Feb 25, 1899-Jan 12, 1904
Annie Pool, July 16, 1900-Mar 25, 1937
G. W. Mills, 1864-1898
John Pool, July 8, 1861-Dec 23, 1929
Jennie Pool, no dates
[No Group 5 listed in Family Findings]
(Page 52)
GROUP 6, ROW 5
Willie Cowan, Sept 30, 1881-May 12, 1969
J. J. Pearcy, Jan 12, 1823-Oct 8, 1895
Virginia Pearcy Robinson, 1864-1909
Sophina Passmore Robinson, no marker
Pauline Rabinson, daugh of Robert, Dec 28, 1917-Apr 27, 1954
Billy Edward Robinson, Veteran of WW2, son of Robert, July 9, 1927-Oct 21, 1957
Jimmie Allison Cowan, Feb 8, 1889-Aug 3, 1936, wife of Willie
Nancy Pearcy, 1837-1901
James Harbert Robinson, 1864-1913
John Robinson, no marker
James F. Robinson, Veteran WW2, son of Robert, June 15, 1925-Sept 25, 1954
Brothers killed in auto accident, John killed instantly, Billy died later
Lucy Pearcy Allison, Dec 25, 1866-May 11, 1911, Mother Jimmie Cowan
Elviria Pearcy Harrell, 1862-1909
Thomas Lee Robinson, Veteran WWI died in service, 1866-1919
Robert F. Robinson, farmer, Nov 23, 1871-Feb 2, 1948
John David Robinson, Veteran WW2, son of Robert, Feb 18, 1931-Oct 19, 1957
GROUP 7, ROW 6
Felix Phillips, Attorney WW1 Vet, Apr 26, 1892-Aug 26, 1952
Will Dawson Gibbs "Sonk", 1849-1928
Hattie Leoti Cocks Gibbs, June 4, 1867-May 23, 1923
Herbert Tycer, Born in Ala., Married Rebecca Kenderick & later moved to Texas, Apr 2, 1901-July 21, 1971 in Corpus Christi
Pickeron Phillips, Merchant, 1859-1941
Gibbs infant, child of W. D. Gibbs
Martha Kendrick Gibbs, no dates
Samuel Henderson Gibbs, student, Apr 1908-Apr 19, 1925
Rachel Kendrick, dau of A. James & Prudie, ied with flu, 1912-1919
Prudie Kendrick, wife of A. James Kendrick, Dec 16, 1875-Mar 3, 1927
Lou Gibbs Phillips, wife of Pickeron, 1866-1942
Felix Grundy Gibbs, Confederate Vet, no dates
Joe Alexander Gibbs, Teacher-Farmer, Dec 18, 1852-Sept __, 1954
Felix Edward Gibbs, farmer, 1898-1934
Amos James Kendrick, Merchant & Farmer, Spanish American War Veteran, Aug 9, 1857-Nov 26, 1941
(Page 53)
GROUP 8, ROW 7
Frank Wood, WWI Veteran, Commissary Dept., Feb 24, 1890-July 30, 1966
GROUP 8, ROW 9
Three (3) unmarked graves
Zackery T. Bennett, died June 16, 1913
Lindie N. Bennett, died Nov 26, 1912
Two (2) unmarked graves. Believe 1 grave to be Zack Bennett's nephew, Aug 29, 1902-Feb 22, 1903
GROUP 8, ROW 8
Infant child of Ben & Peggy Wood, died Feb 28, 1956
Ben F. Wood, Sr., father of Frank Wood, Mar 30, 1859-Sept 20, 1943
William R. Slate, Jan 28, 1858-Oct 27, 1886
[No Group 9 listed in Family Findings]
GROUP 10
John Abner Pyles, Mar 5, 1841-June 10, 1910
James Kendrick, Confederate Veteran, 1st to be buried in this cemetery on land originally owned by him through a land grant (he donated the land to Rocky Springs for the church & cemetery), Nov 21, 1821-Mar 2, 1880
Jane Kendrick, Jan 14, 1847-Aug 27, 1924
Fannie Johnson Kendrick, wife of Felix, July 17, 1874-Nov 26, 1962
Nancy H. Kendrick Pyles, wife of John, Mar 8, 1855-Oct 26, 1900
Elizabeth Russell Kendrick, wife of James, July 3, 1830-Oct 10, 1888
George Kendrick, Feb 17, 1857-Apr 18, 1900
Felix Kendrick, May 2, 1874-Apr 16, 1954, Lived on land originally belonging to gr mother who got it thru land grant.
J. Clevie Bain, July 31, 1907-May __, 1963, Mason Lodge #45
Fannie Kendrick Passmore, unmarked
Myrtle Kendrick Fowler, no dates
Infant of Geo. & Hattie Kendrick (Twin to Myrtle), no dates
James Kendrick, Mar 1, 1897-1899
John Kendrick, July 10, 1865-Sept 7, 1907, Owned & operated a saloon Kendrick & Baxter, located on Market St. He later moved to Carlo, Ill.
(Page 54)
GROUP 11 ROW 10
Ben Howard Williams, WW1 veteran, June 1, 1895-Jan 14, 1973
Martha Whittenton Williams, mother of Howard, Mar 10, 1862-June 1929
Barney Williams, Jan 6, 1861-Sept 1941
GROUP 12
James Leonard Smith, Jan 22, 1919-Apr 20, 1969, Mason
Mary Levina Cocks, (Mollie) wife of John, Jan 9, 1860-May 2, 1936
John Lee Cocks, Aug 12, 1891-Jan 19, 1910
James Walter Cocks, July 25, 1870-1893
Roy Tinkle Bledsoe, WW1 veteran, Apt 12, 1893-Sept 27, 1968
Ollie Bell Cocks Smith, Apr 26, 1896-Aug 17, 1923, teacher
John C. Cocks, (Jack) uncle of John D., Jan 19, 1826-Oct 26, 1901
Cora Bell Cocks, Dec 15, 1873-Oct 11, 1911
John Donald Cocks, Apr 8, 1861-Mar 6, 1938
James E. Cocks, WW1 veteran, Sept 1, 1889-Oct 8, 1918, Odd Fellows
Plummer Cocks, Nov 5, 1859-1886
Samantha Cocks Williams, May 9, 1875-Jan 12, 19__
GROUP 13
Four (4) unmarked graves, children of Mr & Mrs. O. L. Wilson
One (1) unmarked grave, child of Mr. & Mrs. George Wimpee
One (1) unmarked grave, child of Mrs. Alice Wimpee
Benjamin D. Wimpee, Dec 1 1866-Oct 27, 1952
Mary Jester Wimpee, May 9, 1833-Apr 29, 1922
Budde Wimpee, died 1934, Infant
Annie E. Brown Wimpee, sister of John Brown, Dec 31, 1875-July 17, 1952
Mark Wimpee, 1903-1953
Gerald Ragan Wimpee, died 1939, Infant
Mark Ragan Wimpee, June 20, 1818-Oct 19, 1895, Father of 32 children
Margaret Inuz Wimpee, June 22, 1925-July 3, 1928
(Page 55)
GROUP 14, ROW 13
J. M. Hester, 1874-1942
James Elbert Johnson, Apr 6, 1887-Jan 18, 1920
Rubin Johnson, Nov 15, 1821-May 8, 1889
Ruby Johnson, wife of Willie, Mar 8, 1884-Apr 6, 1942
Mamie Bowman Johnson, June 6, 1896-Dec 4, 1967
L. A. Hendricks, Dec 5, 1856-Nov 28, 1910
Alice Sophina Johnson, Sept 28, 1858-Mar 23, 1936
Buddy Johnson, 1855-1904
Willie Johnson, Nov 11, 1889-____
Ulyesses Strong, 1876-Mar 6, 1971
J. Z. Pope, 1893-1959
Robert M. Johnson, 1892-1902
Merideth Nobles, Sept 5, 1856-Jan 14, 1933
Aruellia Nobles Johnson, 1861-1923
Needham Harbert Johnson, Apr 5, 1894-____
Jennie Strong, 1869-1944
GROUP 15, ROW 15
Harris Eugene Scarborough, Nov 16, 1917-Nov 17, 1917
Willie B. Williams, 1855-1933
Ora Williams, Nov 20, 1885-July 17, 1889
Oscar H. Smith, July 16, 1883-June 19, 1963
Harriet Johnson Williams, 1853-1925, Aunt who reared Judge Frank Johnson
Emma Williams Smith, Mar 28, 1882-Oct 24, 1958
GROUP 16
T. E. Whittenton, Thadias Rack-nickname, Feb 14, 1850-Jan 31, 1923
F. E. Davis Harris, Oct 23, 1889-Oct 23, 1890
4 unmarked graves
Grave unknown
Cole H. Whittenton, 1852-1932
Dave McaBee, no dates
Daisy McaBee, Oct 22, 1904-Dec 22, 1904
Margaret Whittenton, Sept 10, 1847-June 22, 1930
F. P. Whittenton, July 3, 1875-Sept 15, 1894
Flora Whittenton Walker, wife of Jim, Apr 17, 1877-Nov 1, 1955
2 unmarked graves
Nancy McaBee wife of Dave, 1874-____
Emma McaBee Fry, 1880-1961
G. H. Whittenton, May 20, 1886-May 2, 1900
Jim Walker, Mar 12, 1880-Mar 28, 1966
Marshall Horace Walker, Oct 16, 1918-Feb 26, 1920
Sarah Jane Parham Whittenton, 1855-1934
John McaBee, Feb 16, 1893-Apr 28, 1925, WOW
(Page 56)
P. J. McaBee, Confederate veteran, Mar 3, 1833-Mar 10, 1910
Lucinda Crumby McaBee, May 14, 1845-Apr 5, 1932
GROUP 17, ROW 16
John M. Brown, Magistrate of Madison Co., May 8, 1874-Mar 31, 1944
Laverne Brown, Aug 10, 1910-Nov 30, 1910
Elbie Brown, May 26, 1880-Feb 20, 1904
William Brown Kendrick, inf son of W. G. Kendrick, Grandson of John M. Brown, Apr 21, 1940-Aug 30, 1940
Ada S. Brown, wife of John, Apr 15, 1876-Nov 7, 1951
Cora Brown Weir, John's sister, Sept 9, 1872-Jan 13, 1894
John I. Brown, Confederate Vet., father of John M, 1839-1920
Roger Irvin Brown, May 29, 1907-Nov 19, 1912
Bertha Ioen Brown, June 20, 1886-July 16, 1888
Mary Frances Whittenton (Mollie) Brown, 1848-1933, wife of John I.
GROUP 18
Charlie Adams, Mar 17, 1892-Dec 27, 1949
Paul Schultz, Born in Germany, Mar 6, 1882-Aug 3, 1944
W. P.?(F) Whittenton, May 15, 1887-1901 [in the copy of Family Findings in the Jackson-Madison County Library, the "P.?" has been scratched out and "Forest" written above]
Mary S. Shultz, Born in Germany, July 29, 1898-Oct 31, 1941
Jabe Whittenton, 1861-1910
Callie Dunston, unmarked
Oscar Dunston, unmarked
GROUP 19, ROW 17
Mason Arman Staples, Mar 28, 1893-Aug 21, 1947
Sam S. Johnson, Confederate Vet, June 2, 1844-June 29, 1910
Samuel Kirby Johnson, 1892-1959
Nellie M. Johnson Staples, May 14, 1892-Sept 13, 1966
Mollie Kirby Johnson, Mar 19, 1854-Nov 18, 1912
Edward Floyd Johnson, July 15, 1894-Oct 2, 1963
Audoree Johnson, Dec 14, 1895-Oct 8, 1974
Infant child, unmarked
Pauline Boatman Johnson, 1909-1971
(Page 57)
GROUP 20
John W. Odell, Mar 9, 1877-Apr 30, 1949
Amy C. Odell, Sept 13, 1885-July 27, 1968
GROUP 21
Frances Staples, 1873-1952
Willory Staples, 1869-1933
James R. Dickey, Nov 8, 1864-Mar 1, 1953
GROUP 22, ROW 19
W.C. Whitworth, Sr., WW1 Veteran, July 25, 1898-July 20, 1969
Margaret Brasher, May 20, 1843-June 12, 1916
W.C. Whitworth, Jr., May 12, 1925-Sept 3, 1935
Charles T. Brasher, June 30, 1880-Sept 13, 1974
Charles R. Brasher, 29th Tenn Inf. CSA, Mar 14, 1830-May 29, 1906
Cora McaBee Brasher, Oct 2, 1882-Apr 13, 1969
GROUP 23
James W. Maness, July 21, 1875-July 7, 1953
William L. Smith, 1877-1958
Pearl D. Armstrong, July 29, 1908-Jan 12, 1974
Cora Armstrong, Sept 16, 1875-June 27, 1939
Martha Maness, Oct 2, 1879-July 1, 18__
John Sanders, unmarked
Armstrong infant, son of Horace Armstrong, unmarked
Danny Armstrong, son of Horace Armstrong, d. July 5, 1948
Mary C. Armstrong, wife of Horace, Jan 2, 1919-Apr 11, 1967
Nunnery Upton, Deputy Sheriff, Apr 3, 1904-Jan 8, 1972
Henry Fry, Aug 11, 1865-June 7, 1960
Franklin Tibbs, infant, unmarked
Joe Senter Armstrong, June 20, 1868-May 7, 1922
GROUP
Tcm Nicely, unmarked
Mary Nicely, unmarked
Unmarked grave
(Page 58)
GROUP
Minnie Johnson Odell, May 19, 1899-July 10, 1971
Jordan L. Odell, Mar 1, 1855-July 21, 1924
Arthur Odell, Feb 17, 1934-Sept 14, 1935
Celester M. Odell, Mar 17, 1873-Mar 1, 1949
Laverne Odell, Jan 26, 1930-Sept 21, 1931
William Huston Taylor, Sept 27, 1902-Oct 7, 1964
GROUP
D. E. Chaffee Luetrell, no dates
Betty Ann McaBee Lutrell Mills, no dates
John M. Lutrell, no dates
GROUP
George Harris, no marker
Grafton Moore May 21, 1906-1913
Florence Moore, 1881-1957
Lonsa Dave Moore, 1896-1944
GROUP
Jessie David Rushing, no dates
Mary S. Smith, July 1, 1872-Dec 22, 1960
Albert Essary, June 12, 1888-May 1, 1949
Mildred Irene Rushing, no dates
E. D. Floyd, Dec 17, 1810-Dec 19, 1909
Dan S. Smith, July 2, 1870-Aug 15, 1917
Ida Bell Smith Essary, Mar 15, 1892-Feb 22, 1948
GROUP
Maude Sharp Johnson, wife of Earnest, Mar 2, 1894-Mar 32, 1972
L. T. Staples, Oct 2, 1894-Apr 17, 1961
Ludie Crowder, Mar 18 1901-Mar 9, 1975
Earnest Johnson, WW2 veteran, Nov 10, 1888-____ [as in Family Findings; probably should be WW1]
Mallie Johnson Staples, wife of L.T., Feb 22, 1896-Sept 30, 1962
Ora F. Crowder, wife of Ludie, Sept 15, 1896-May 29, 1972
Judie Carol Wells, Dec 8, 1955-Dec 15, 1955
Johnny T. Hudson, 1891-1967
Lessie Johnson Husdon, wife of Johnny, 1890-1968 [Husdon in Family Findings]
(Page 59)
GROUP
Charles Gordon Coplin, 1896-1957
Elmer Crowder, WW2 veteran, June 20, 1908-Dec 17, 1972
GROUP
Felix Randolph Kendrick, Jan 20, 1905-May 16, 1975
GROUP
Everett Adcock, Jan 29, 1910-Aug 24, 1974
Thompsie Barker, June 27, 1902-June 12, 1975