Stories of Those Buried at Prospect UMC Cemetery

“There’s Mabry’s grave (lot 41). All that money he died and left, and not a one of them will come over here and do anything. I’m coming over here if I have to walk. I’m going to buy me a little rake and do something to that lot. Mrs. Lewis didn’t even live a year after Mr. Lewis died. Mr. Tedders died in 1922. That old horse, Frank, killed him. The horse ran away with the buggy on the square in Monticello. Mr. Bob said it would never have happened if everyone had left him alone. He could have stopped him. But you see, people thought they were helping and everybody was running out of the stores trying to grab his bridle, and it just made him that much worse. Seemed to me like he was about 79 years old. I thought Emmie was born the next year after he got killed, but she was born in 1924. Grandma Kelly died in February before Emmie was born in August. We had potatoes up and corn and everything. It was cold that night after she died. It bit all of it, but it came back out. Grandpa Tedders was the sweetest old fellow. Annie Maude (Cornelia’s sister-in-law) and me both had cotton to chop. I never will forget him coming down to the house one evening and he said, ‘Cornelia, you know, Lola and them think Annie Maude is smarter than you are, but I want you to work hard and beat her chopping out your cotton.’ I beat her about a half a day. That about tickled him to death.”

Rose: “He just knew how to get extra work out of you!”

Cornelia: “I never will forget that. He stayed down there half the time. He came down there every Sunday morning.

“This is brother Charlie Smith (lot # 33). I was thinking one of his boys was buried here. He had two sons, Bernie and Fred. I remember being at his funeral, but there is certainly no sign of a grave here. I don’t think I am mistaken. It was their son, Bernie. I thought sure he was buried here. Maybe I was mistaken. It certainly does seem that I remember that, but it looks like there would have been a marker of some kind.

“William Campbell (lot # 29)— there should be a special marker saying he was one of the first trustees of the church. Uncle William is what Mrs. Lewis called him. Oscar Campbell was his son. He and Mrs. Lewis were first cousins. He lived in Mansfield and used to go around buying cows all the time.”

This was how the afternoon went as just the sight of the names on all those ancient markers triggered so many memories. Those dead saints came to life as Cornelia relived the past, and I was reminded again of the hidden wonder we have in our older family members.

Note

Cornelia often expressed the desire to see a marker placed on her husband’s grandmother’s unmarked grave. In the summer of 1999, a campaign was begun to raise enough funds to place markers on all the unmarked graves in the cemetery. This was no small feat since 27 graves were without markers. Cornelia was the source of information as to who was buried where. Family members, who could be located, were notified of the plan; and, without exception, they provided funds for their ancestors’ markers. Many of them ordered larger markers that included full name and birth and death dates. Instead of being offended at the request, everyone expressed pleasure that the project was being done and gratified that they were prompted to take care of a long-neglected duty. Generous contributions from families and church members provided the funds necessary to cover the cost of the remaining markers.

George and Cornelia Lewis

In 1975 George and Cornelia Lewis were honored with a plaque and special service commemorating fifty years of service to Prospect Church. George had served as treasurer for thirty or more years. The children and grandchildren remember that he was the one who went early to open up the church and build the fires in the pot-bellied stove that sat in the center of the church for countless years. Cornelia also taught Sunday School for many years. (See page 40 for additions)

Interview with Carroll Hodge

On September 16, 1998, I visited with Carroll Hodge, whose grandmother, parents, two brothers, and since then a daughter are buried at Prospect Cemetery (lots # 28 and 37). I found him to be a wonderful storyteller, and I would like to share some of those stories with you. I first asked him about his brother Bryan Hodge, who was accidentally killed in an incident in Madison, Georgia, in April 1929. He was only 30 years old when the city police at City Hall caught him in crossfire while he was trying to break up an argument. He left a wife, Emma Saye Hodge, and a 5-year-old daughter, Leila Saye Hodge. Carroll was only 17 at the time of the accident so one can imagine the impact that made on his life.

Carroll then spoke of his father, Lee Hodge (lot # 37). Although he was sick with asthma all his life, Lee had worked hard. He taught school for a period of time at Old Rocky Creek School. I asked him where that school was located and he referred to the old Picket place where Chalton Bates now lives on County Line Road. Evelyn, Carroll’s wife, pointed out that Mr. Lee, as he was known, had also served as Sunday School superintendent at New Rocky Creek Baptist Church. He worked at Ludie Kelly’s store in the Maxwell settlement from 1917-1919. He was paid $30 a month and was given a house in which to live. Carroll’s mother, Lola Hodge, worked in the fields. She was born in the house that sits on the hill across from Prospect Church. Their son Joel and his wife Allene lived there for many years. Carroll related the story of how there were plans when his mother was young (she was born in 1869) to put a railroad through the Eudora (also known as Prospect) community. Workers were dynamiting in front of the house; and, thinking the explosion was complete, the workers went back to the site too quickly. There were additional explosions and two people were killed and others were injured. Lola Hodge told the children that she could remember the sirens and all the help that came to the scene. Plans were changed and the railroad was relocated to go through Madison. The dynamiting might explain the deep banks that extend along the front of that property.

Carroll’s brother Joel was 18 years older than Carroll. While working on his first job with Jasper County, a bridge fell in and Joel suffered a broken leg. He enlisted in the army sometime later. Carroll remembers the first time he rode a train was when the family went to welcome Joel home from the army. Joel then became a policeman for Monticello and retired in 1961. Carroll also related how Joel and Allene often trapped foxes and bobcats. The county paid two dollars each for fox ears and foxtails.

Carroll’s grandmother Lucinda Digby Hodge is buried in lot # 28 alongside her son, Seals, who lived with her. She died in Atlanta where she had lived for a number of years. Carroll told how his grandparents traveled to Texas in a covered wagon and two years later returned to Georgia, again in a covered wagon.

I had a delightful time listening to Carroll relate his school experiences at Prospect School. He described the building, which was located at the edge of churchyard beyond the playground and near the spring, as having two large classrooms on each side of a long room that also served as an auditorium. He started to school in 1919 at the age of seven. He walked a little over three miles to school every day. The school caught fire several times before it finally burned to the ground sometime around 1927.

Carroll told how he and his buddies hid their cigarettes or tobacco (a sack of Dukes) under the stage in the auditorium. They lost a sack of tobacco in one of those fires, and Carroll said he never smoked after finishing school. He related some tales about several teachers. One teacher suffered the affliction of being cross-eyed, but it worked to her advantage because they could never tell at whom she was looking and she often caught them doing things they didn’t think she could see.

He named a number of classmates whose names will be familiar to many readers: Mary, Sarah, and Nesbit King; Nina Chaffin; Theo Chaffin; Sally Kelly; Ola, Mary Lou and Ophelia Kitchens; John Neal and Mary Cunard; Mabry, Velma, and Loraine Lewis; and Ruth Allen. Carroll recalled Mabry getting a whipping that was so severe the family, including the older siblings, came to the school to complain. Evelyn also told about a teacher who taught his daughter and would put her on the stage and whip her until blood came through her blouse. Carroll remembered the fights after school. He said the boys never got far down the road on the way home before someone was fighting. He mentioned the little store located near the school (corner of Barnes Mtn. Rd. and Highway 11). Ora Aaron, who built Cornelia Lewis’ house that burned in1997, operated the store. They played ball in the open field off Highway 11. Evelyn related how the kids would jack up Mrs. Loucille Benton’s car and put it on blocks and then watch her go out to crank it causing the tires to spin. They were quick to say that she was always good-natured about it. Carroll admitted they were always doing things they shouldn’t do, such as turning over the outdoor toilets and “fishing” out the window for Mrs. Floyd Dorsey’s chickens. He said he and his buddy, Theo Chaffin, would put corn on a hook and string and hang it out the classroom window. One time a chicken, a wine dot hen, swallowed the corn, hook and all, and died. He and Theo had to pay Mrs. Dorsey forty cents apiece for the chicken.

Theo Chaffin and Sally Kelly are the only other living classmates. Carroll was ninety this year. There was another story about a flying jenny, a stump with a board across the center anchored with an iron pin. The boys would spin it around with two people on the end of each board. One girl, whom Carroll named (I won’t!) but also called “High Stepper,” begged to have a turn. Because of her practice of telling tales to the teacher, they gave her a good spin until she flew off into the grass.

Carroll and Evelyn’s daughter, Judith, died the year after my interview with them. Judith and I were best friends in high school, and I spent many wonderful times in their home. Their daughter Marie and her husband Charles Lewis are faithful members of Prospect UMC. Carroll and Evelyn Hodge are a very special couple whom God has blessed with a long life.

Footnote:

I recently encountered J. A. and Norma Hodge in the cemetery and informed them of this undertaking. J. A. had an interesting anecdote that his dad, Joel Hodge, Sr. (lot # 37), often related. He would tell about how the teachers boarded with the students’ families for several months at a time. Since the students walked to school from their homes, oftentimes the teachers would do the same. On one occasion, the teacher was walking down the road studying his lesson plans for the day. Some of the boys ran ahead of him and placed a string across the road. Of course, the teacher fell flat on his face. The funny thing was that they did this three times in one morning, and the teacher fell each time. I bet that was an interesting day at school!

Interview with Ruth Kitchens

I sat on the porch with Ruth Kitchens on October 14, 1998, and listened to her stories about growing up on the farm. Her brother Champ Kelly (lot # 36) died with typhoid fever in 1925 at the age of 22. Ruth was expecting her first child at the time. Because of the destruction of the boll weevil, her father, Willie Kelly, had gone to Florida to work. Champ died while he was gone, but he was able to come home for the funeral. Ruth recalled what a lively, fun person her brother was. Her father returned to Coral Gables after the funeral and was there when a hurricane occurred and swept everything away. He literally ran for his life. He told the story that there were Indians in the area who had warned the people that a hurricane was coming and it happened on the exact date that they had predicted. When Willie returned home to stay, the family moved to Roy Kelly, Sr.’s place in order for Willie to oversee the farm. Later he was overseer for the E. F. Perry family. He also trapped foxes for the county.

On his 92^nd birthday, Willie was interviewed for an article that appeared in the August 25, 1974 edition of the Macon Telegraph and News. He was quoted as saying that he did not think things were as exciting as they were in the good old days, but he decided that he liked the 20^th century best. His first memory was of a very sad time when his twin siblings were sick and died within a few days of each other. He recalled his mother coming into his room where he slept and holding him and crying. Another memory was of a smallpox epidemic. He is quoted as saying, “When anyone got sick, they were put in a house way off from other folks. Several times a day someone would go out and leave a plate of food. They wouldn’t come near ‘em or touch ‘em for fear of catching it.” Willie also recalled the good times, mentioning the local store where everyone would meet and talk. He said the store was “sorta like a rustic country club.” He showed the interviewer the preaching rock located on Highway 11 a few yards from the Newton County line. It came to be known as Dow’s pulpit and bears a bronze plaque that reveals the importance it played in the religious heritage of the area. The plaque states that in 1803 Lorenzo Dow of Connecticut, a pioneer evangelist, preached the first worship service in the county. Willie could remember hearing his parents talk about going there and how much the services meant to them. They said folks came from miles around for the preaching services. Willie died at the age of 97 (lot # 36).

Ruth’s grandfather, Erbin Herschel Kelly, (lot # 38) lived with her and her husband Colvin Kitchens (lot #36) for nine years. Without benefit of any formal schooling, Erbin Kelly had served the community for many years as a cow and horse veterinarian. Ruth remembered cooking three meals a day, not only for her family, but also for the workers on the farm those nine years while she cared for her grandfather. He died in a nursing home in Vidalia, Georgia, the closest nursing home around in 1941. Ruth’s husband Colvin drove a school bus for 40 years for Jasper County. He also worked for Jack Edwards. One summer when school was not in session, Colvin drove a truck to New Orleans. While he was gone, Virginia, their oldest daughter, had an appendicitis attack. The doctor took her to Covington to operate on her and she came very close to dying since the appendix had ruptured. Someone was able to contact Colvin in New Orleans, and he returned home.

Their son Wentzelle died in the Korean War in 1950 at the age of 21 (lot #36). His body was returned nine months later. Ruth recalled how an escort from the army accompanied his body home. He called Ruth a few years ago and came by to visit with her again.

It was a sweet blessing to sit and hear Ruth, who is at this writing almost 96 years old, share her family stories.

Julian and Clyde Kelly

In a letter dated August 31, 1999, Doris Kelly Rozier, granddaughter of Julian and Mattie Clyde Kelly (lot # 1), wrote about a favorite family story. Soon after the marriage of Julian and Mattie, while sitting under the old chinaberry tree, Julian started carving something. “It soon became apparent it was a butter paddle. Julian then presented it to his bride!” Mattie used it the rest of her life and this story was told many times to their son C. H. and their daughter Mary Lizzie. It especially was related as the milk was being churned, the butter patted with the

special paddle and then placed into molds. Doris wrote that some of the molds of butter were shared with neighbors and some were used on the table of the Julian Kelly household. The treasured butter paddle is still in the possession of their daughter Mary Elizabeth Kelly Pritchard, who is 101 years old.

T. W. and Frank Dooley

I met Jim Fazekas and his wife in the cemetery in 1997 when they were visiting family graves. I asked Jim if he would write down some family anecdotes for this publication. He responded promptly with a letter dated September 26, 1997. Jim lives in Alpine, Alabama and is the great grandson of T. W. and Sarah Dooley (lot # 34). He had conducted some research and discovered that T. W. was one of two local blacksmiths in Eudora in 1899 and sometime after 1909 was the Master of the Eudora Masonic Lodge No. 570. That lodge was located on Loice Allen’s property on Highway 11. Albert Allen ran the store downstairs and the Masons and Odd Fellows met upstairs. It was reported that a casket was stored there, and that kept most people from being too anxious to sneak a peak upstairs.

Jim had talked to Cornelia Lewis, who told him that the Dooleys were all Baptists but were buried at Prospect Cemetery because it was too difficult to dig a grave at New Rocky Creek. She had told him how B. F. (Frank) Dooley (lot # 29), T. W. Dooley’s son, was a good singer and would come to Prospect to lead the singing on the Sundays when services were being held. His daughter, Grace, would come also to play the piano. The first all-night singing in the county was held at Prospect School. There was a young man who lived for a time with the Dooleys and was taken with them to his first singing. He later became a professional musician. Some readers will recognize the name of Wallace “Happy” Edwards. Happy Edwards recently died in Newton County.

Warren A. Rye

Warren A Rye is buried in lot #10. A member of the church ran across this information about his death in a book about World War 11. “In September and October 1944 the 91^st Infantry Division, in their push to the Po Valley in Northern Italy, suffered 2731 casualties. Pvt. Warren A. Rye 361^st Infantry 91^st Division was killed October 16, 1944.” He was 25 years old.

W. C. Jones

In a recorded conversation between Sara Taylor Davis and Cornelia Lewis on October 12, 1997, Sara shared many stories and memories of her grandfather, W. C. Jones (lot # 18). W. C. Jones, known as “Willie,” was the only son in a family of six sisters. Willie’s father, David Colensworth Jones, served in the Confederate Army and was commissioned as Captain of the 905^th District Georgia Militia in 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Griswoldville, Georgia and died in the army hospital in Macon. His wife, Sara Ann Campbell Jones, accompanied by a black man, went in an oxcart to pick up his body. However, the commanding officer would not release his body. Sara’s husband had been a Mason and when Sara gave the Masonic distress signal, the officer was convinced she was who she claimed to be. They brought his body back in the freezing December weather and buried him at the old Jones Cemetery on the Alcovy River. It is located on Long Piney Road off Jackson Lake Rd.

Willie was seven when his father died and he immediately began working the farm. The story is told that he plowed a mule at the age of nine. Willie was converted and joined Prospect Methodist Church at the age of 17. The next day he began to have family altars with his sisters. He vowed not to leave home before his sisters had married. Sara has possession of the wedding ring he gave his bride Mollie Kelly in 1885. Wondering how he could afford a ring for his bride, he found a gold band on a dusty road just before their wedding. Mollie wore it the rest of her life. Mollie was born on November 21, 1864, the day Sherman’s forces marched through Shady Dale. Her family hid her from the Yankee troops. Mollie’s grandfather, Berry Tolbert Digby, was sheriff of Jasper County in 1878-79.

Sara also remembers hearing the story that Willie, as a young man, helped build the present church around 1875. Because she knew that he had helped build the wood slat pews, Sara purchased one when they were sold in 1984 and new upholstered pews were installed.

Willie served as steward of Prospect Methodist Church for thirty years and as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Willie sold his farm and moved to Oxford around 1920 in order for his nine children to attend school. Since he suffered badly from arthritis, he did not want Mollie to have the responsibility of the farm after he was gone. The family story was told that Willie did not have the money to send all his sons to college therefore he sent the oldest one with the promise from him that he would send another brother. Each of the boys graduated from either Emory or the State University. One son Cluie later moved to Texas and taught at Texas A. & M. The girls had the same opportunity, but chose not to go away to school. Some of the girls attended Emory Academy in Oxford. One of the girls, Annie Jean, taught school at Prospect and had her sister, Sara Taylor Davis’ mother, as a student. It was reported that she didn’t let her get away with anything at school because she was spoiled at home! There is a picture in the Jasper County History book of the students and teachers during this time. Annie Jean played the organ for many years in Prospect Church. Cornelia remembers going to their home and enjoying playing baseball and other games with another daughter Eleanor even though she was much older.

A newspaper article printed at his death states that W. C. Jones “was the pillar of his church for many years…He was God’s faithful servant, ever present and useful in his church, home and community. He endeared his heart to all who knew him because of his goodness, kindness, and big-heartedness. He never lost an opportunity to testify, by life and word, to the fact of his salvation…few men have served their country and their God so well in so many different capacities for so many years.”

Mrs. J. W. Thornton

Carolina Clementine (Carrie) Jones Thornton (lot # 22) was the sister of W. C. Jones (lot # 18) and wife of John W. Thornton (lot # 22). Carrie died July 8, 1926 at her home in Eudora. The Monticello News reported that she was a “devout member of Prospect (Methodist) Church.” They said that her death “comes as a dark shadow to friends and relatives who loved her so dearly. She always had a smile and pleasant word for all, and possessing a bright, happy and cheerful disposition, she carried sunshine wherever she went.”

William Farris Thornton

William Farris Thornton (lot # 24) was the son of John W. and Carrie Thornton. He became Sunday School Superintendent in 1926 when W. C. Jones resigned. Sara Davis remembers hearing how Mr. Thornton loved the children and brought them candy each Sunday and also visited in their homes, always bringing candy with him.

Beckwiths

Belinda Digby Beckwith’s grave (lot # 27) was unmarked until her grandson, William Beckwith Crane, was contacted in 1999. He helped provide a marker and the following information. Belinda was born in Jasper County in 1837. Her father was Berry Tolbert Digby, who was sheriff of Jasper County in 1878-79. She married William Samuel Beckwith in 1854 in Jasper County, Georgia. They had two sons, William Berry Beckwith and Samuel Lee Beckwith. William Samuel Beckwith died November 14, 1858 and was buried across the road from the Aaron homestead in Jasper County. William was two years old and Samuel was two months old at the time of their father’s death. Belinda married someone named Harris around 1870 and had three additional children.

William Berry Beckwith married Sara Frances Jones (lot # 17). William Berry Beckwith was a cotton broker in Mansfield until the cotton market crashed, costing him his fortune. They had two sons, Wightman Samuel and Hubert Berry, and a daughter named Allie Claire. Bill Crane is the son of Allie Claire Beckwith and Samuel Leon Crane, Sr. He writes that although he does not remember his grandparents, he remembers that they were called Ma and Pa Beck. Pa Beck loved to tell the story of how Allie Claire met her husband. The Beckwiths lived in Mansfield in a large house that had porches on all four sides. The railroad track was behind the house and trains traveled through Mansfield twice a day delivering mail and goods. Samuel Crane worked for the railroad as a mail clerk. During the hot summer months, the doors to the mail car were often left open. One day during the summer of 1917, Allie Claire was sweeping the back porch as the train passed through Mansfield. She looked up and noticed the man standing in the door of the mail car and waved her broom at him. The same thing happened again the next day and the next. At his first opportunity during some time off, Samuel found out the young lady’s name and went visiting. Thus began their courtship. They were married on July 1, 1918. Bill Crane is the youngest of their five children. Bill says he always heard that for a couple of years the rear porch of the Beckwith home was the cleanest porch in the state of Georgia.

William Samuel and Belinda Beckwith’s son, Samuel, never married. He is buried in the lot with his mother (lot # 27).

The two young people who came with Sara Jones Davis to the cemetery in 1995 were William Berry and Sarah Jones Beckwith’s great grandchildren, Michael Alan Crane and Kathleen Claire Crane Lauter. They are the great great grandchildren of Belinda Digby Beckwith (Harris).

Joe Brown Martin

“Joe Brown Martin (lot # 37) was a wonderful uncle. Even if I sat and thought for hours on end, I could not dream up a person who could possibly replace or succeed him in any way. Having never known my grandfathers, I always considered Uncle Joe the closest thing to a grandfather I would ever know. In a time when heroes are difficult to see or find anywhere in the world, I agree with my cousins Jolinda and Sharon, who said, ‘He was our hero.’ To them, he was a great and loving dad; to me he was a great and loving uncle; and to my Aunt Leila, he was a great and loving husband. We need more ‘Uncle Joe’s’ in our world today.” (Submitted by Lyle Allen)

Emma Saye Allen

“Emma Saye Allen (lot # 19) was a wonderful grandmother. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. She was a wonderful Christian role model. All of us in the Allen and Martin families always felt deeply loved by her at all times. I cannot remember ‘Mama Allen’ ever getting upset with me or mad with me. All I remember are her comforting words, hugs and kisses over the years. One day we will get to see her again, but until then, we have wonderful memories to hold us over. We all miss her (and her fried chicken, mashed potatoes and chocolate pies) very much.” (Submitted by Lyle Allen)

Colin Kelly

“Colin Kelly (lot # 53) was a wonderful role model for young people at Prospect United Methodist Church. I always remember his smiling and taking up the offering week after week. (Colin Kelly served as treasurer for twenty years.) I never heard him say anything unkind about others. When I think of Mr. Colin, I think of Thessalonians 4: 11,12: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. He led a quiet life, he minded his own business, and he most definitely won my respect

as a fellow church member, neighbor and friend. I will always have fond memories of Mr. Colin Kelly.” (Submitted by Lyle Allen)

J. Grady and Ethel Cargile

Linda Cargile Watkins of Jackson, GA has warm memories of her parents J. Grady and Ethel Cargile (lot # 13) and her growing-up years at Prospect United Methodist Church. She recalls hearing the stories of her parents and older siblings riding to church on a wagon. Linda remembers attending homecoming festivities that included “dinner on the grounds” under the big oak tree that still stands near the cemetery. She said she could picture the long table on which the food was spread and the washtub filled with tea and a dipper for serving. She also remembers the big stove that sat in the center of the church and how everyone sat as close as they could on cold Sunday mornings.

Another experience made an impact on Linda when she was seven years old. Wentzelle Kitchens (lot # 36), son of Colvin and Ruth Kitchens, died in the Korean War; and when his body was returned home, the funeral service was held at Prospect. Linda said she would never forget the twenty one-gun salute that was given for the young serviceman.

John Morris Cook

Grover Cleveland Cook

Barbara Parker Bankston of Mansfield, GA is the great granddaughter of John Morris and Josephine Womack Cook (lot # 40). She writes that John was known as “Jack” and farmed in Jasper County. Jack was “named among several who sued the Central Georgia Power Company in 1912 for damages caused by the construction of Lloyd Shoals Dam and Jackson Lake and the subsequent flooding of impounded land and farms. The backed-up waters caused an increase in mosquitoes that in turn caused a malarial epidemic. Many people became sick and died.” Barbara said she could not find the result of the lawsuit.

Jack and Josephine Cook had several children, most of whom are buried at Prospect. Their daughter Lillie married J. Floyd Layson (lot # 40). Their son Grover Cleveland Cook married Elma Moore in 1917 (lot # 9). Grover and Elma Cook are Barbara’s grandparents. Grover and his wife purchased a home on Hodge Farm Road that was later owned by Robert and Irene Cunard. Just a few months after their marriage, Grover enlisted in the army and was stationed at Camp Wheeler in Macon, GA. He was discharged five months afterward due to having contracted tuberculosis. Instead of choosing a course of treatment in a sanitarium for a year, Grover wanted to be with his family. He and Elma had three children. Their names are listed in the information in lot # 9. He died in 1930 and his wife Elma married Augustus (Gus) Dozier Floyd in 1937. Gus is buried at New Rocky Creek Baptist Church Cemetery alongside his first wife. Gus’ brother Alfred S. Floyd and his wife are buried in lot # 7 at Prospect UMC cemetery.

While attending New Rocky Creek Baptist Church with her husband Gus Floyd, Elma played the piano for many years. Sometime after his death, Elma moved to Jackson and later Jenkinsburg where she married William Miles Gallman in 1963. Barbara remembers that she had many hobbies including fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, sewing and reading. Barbara writes, “She served God and her church faithfully. She was a wonderful Sunday School teacher, having taught the adult class for many years until advancing age and memory loss forced her to resign.” At her death in 1983, she was laid to rest alongside her first husband, Grover Cook. Barbara has two of her Bibles and loves to read her notes and marked Scripture verses.

The other children of Jack and Josephine Cook are Minnie Lee Cook married to Robert L. Ozburn (lot # 49), Albert Grady Cook, Aubie Neal Cook married to Nellie Mae Hickman, and John Paul (Johnnie) Cook (lot # 57) married to Dessie Hickman. Aubie Cook is Emily Cook Kelly’s father and is buried at New Rocky Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Ralph Herschel and Carmie Kelly

“In 1938 or 1939 (I am not entirely sure of the year) my mother, Carmie Right Riggins (lot # 43), was living in Russell Springs, Kentucky, a small town in the south Cumberland plateau. She had just completed high school and had been dating a young man there for several years. Since there were no local jobs available, she ventured to Cincinnati where two of her siblings and their families already lived. There she met, through mutual friends, a somewhat older, very handsome fellow from Georgia, Ralph Herschel Kelly, who was also looking for work. She very promptly forgot the young man she had left behind in Kentucky. Ralph and Carmie fell in love, were married in February 1940, and came back to Georgia to live later that year after our grandfather, John Herschel Kelly, passed away. Mama always said that people here were shocked when they met her and discovered her to be a ‘very ordinary girl’ (her words). Apparently Daddy had the reputation of having a way with the ladies, and people had expected Daddy to marry someone of movie star caliber. Of course, all of us who knew Mama know she was anything but ordinary! At any rate, they enjoyed 32 years together before Mama went to heaven in January of 1973, and I know Mama never regretted anything or anyone she had left behind in Kentucky.
“Mama was such a gentle soul with the sweetest spirit I have ever known. She had an unbelievable capacity for loving unconditionally, and even though she was never strong physically, she loved to be productive and work hard. She taught me so much of what I know of Christ, just seeing Him in her, and I long for the day I see her again in heaven and can thank her for modeling Him so beautifully for me and for praying for me so faithfully. She lived and died with great grace, and still today she is my hero.

“Daddy raised beef cattle and loved to hunt and fish. He took the greatest delight in training and working with his bird dogs. According to him, his dogs were among some of the best, and I know for sure they brought him great joy. He loved the outdoors and was walking for exercise before it was fashionable! He was indeed a handsome man even into his last years, and even though he loved nothing better than to be around the place in his overalls, he ‘cleaned up’ beautifully and looked like a Philadelphia lawyer when he tried. Daddy was an avid reader of the Atlanta newspapers and read every single word every day for years until they became too editorially liberal for him and he gave them up for good. He loved to argue politics, and since at that time Daddy was a Democrat and Mama was a Republican, election years were always interesting around our house!
“I am so thankful that God in His providence led both my parents to Cincinnati in that long-ago time and that we had the opportunity to be a family in this community of friends and extended family.” (Submitted by Sybil Kelly Cunard)

John Herschel and Dotsy Kelly

“My memories of our grandmother Georgia Cook Kelly (lot #38), who was always known as “Dotsy”, are much like a patchwork quilt. She had wonderful things tucked away in her dresser drawers, and my favorite thing to do as a small child was to spend a day rummaging through them all. She called that meddling! Once, when I was about four, she cut my hair without Mom and Dad's consent. I suppose she thought I needed a haircut that day. She made toast by melting real butter in a black iron skillet and then turning the bread until it was golden brown. It was yummy! She made delicious pear pickles and pear relish and wonderful cookies called teacakes. She always wore black lace-up shoes with heels to church on Sunday.

“Her great passion in life was her little dog, a white feist named Spitzi, but whom she always referred to as ‘Spitty’. To say he was a strong-willed fellow would be a gross understatement. I can see her now in my mind's eye tying him to a rope on her front porch. She made the rope of lengths of cloth tied together with one end attached to a nail on the wall of the house. Spitty would spend time sunning himself there, but on occasion he would manage to free himself and then the fight was on! Grandma would stand on her porch calling and calling him, and Spitty would continue going in the opposite direction as hard and as fast as he could go. Eventually, he would come home, but not before he had done all the exploring he wanted to do. She always said she wanted him put to sleep and placed at her feet when she was laid to rest. That never became an issue since Spitty was run over and killed by a car during her last illness. She was at Aunt Cornelia's during her illness and Spitty was with us. She never realized that he was gone, and we were all glad for that. Most of us grandchildren have some Spitty scars on our hands by which to remember him. He was fond of taking chunks from any and all of us.
“Grandma was also deathly afraid of thunderstorms, even small ones. A clap of thunder or a bolt of lightning would really frighten her, and if the storm looked serious, Daddy would always go pick her up and bring her to our house to ride out the storm with us.
“Our grandfather, John Herschel Kelly, passed away before I was born, and so I have no memories of him, I am sorry to say. The cousins, who had the joy of knowing him say that he was a wonderful, gentle man whom they all adored. Some also say that Uncle John Ben is a lot like him in many ways. Memories are so precious, and these are some of my favorites.” (Submitted by Sybil Kelly Cunard)

Alex Thompson and Nannie Lex White King

Lisa Smith Conner is the great granddaughter of Alex and Nannie King (lot # 48). She says her strongest memory of her Pop King was helping him roll his cigarettes. He had a Prince Albert machine and he would let her lick the paper to glue them together. For many years he had a store in the yard of his home at the corner of Jackson Lake Road and New Rocky Creek Church Road. The house still stands today and has been recently renovated.

Mama King spent her last years in a nursing home in Covington; and Lisa’s mom, Margie Smith, would bring her to her home every Sunday. Lisa recalls her coming to their home one time on Lisa’s birthday. Her mom started to make her a birthday cake and discovered her mixer was on the blink. She thought she couldn’t make a cake without it, but “Mama King shamed her into doing it by hand, saying they didn’t even have things like mixers when she used to bake cakes.” Lisa also remembers the strawberry patch at her great grandparents’ house, picking the fresh strawberries, and Mama King washing them and making a strawberry roll.

Robert G. Smith

Lisa Smith Conner is Robert Smith’s (lot # 8) only child. She has loving memories of her dad, saying that he was the best grandpa ever to her children. He was disabled in an automobile accident when Lisa was in the first grade, and because of that he had time to spend with her and her children when they came along. Lisa says, “He was a kind man, always willing to help anyone in any way that he could and he loved Prospect Church.”

Albert Loice D. Allen, Jr.

There would never be enough time to say all the good things my daddy (lot # 23) has done for others in his lifetime. His life touched everyone he met. He was always there with a smile on his face to offer help to anyone who needed it. I have never known any other man to be such a wonderful husband, father, papa, neighbor and friend. I can say that my daddy may not have always agreed with all I have said and done but he always continued to love our family and me with unconditional love no matter what. I thank our God every day that my children had such a wonderful grandfather to look up to. He labored long over the years but no matter how tired he might have been or even if he did not feel well, he still made time to keep watch over all of us. If only I could be one-tenth the person he was. On September 19^th God gave him eternal rest. It is very hard but as I sat these last two days thinking about it all – God planned it all so well. My mother and father had celebrated their 44^th anniversary several hours before the accident, which reaffirmed their love for each other. He was doing what he loved second best, to being with his family, out on his tractor with his cows and hay. And to die in front of his home would have been what he wanted. And now today we are burying my daddy on the fifth anniversary of my husband Kevin’s mother’s death. Truly God had the master plan for it all Daddy will continue to watch over us and he will lift us up when we think we can’t go on. Truly God is smiling in heaven today and saying ‘You good and faithful servant.’

“Thanks to all of you for all your love, support and prayers today and throughout the years. I am glad you could be here with us to honor this wonderful man – we dedicated this next song, “Daddy’s Hands” to Daddy from all of his children. Another song, “Friends” we dedicate to all of you from our daddy. May God bless you as he has blessed us all. Cherish those years.”

(Written by Debra Allen Glaze and read by her husband Kevin Glaze at Loice’s service on September 22, 2002)

“He was a loving daddy, papa, husband, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor to all. He was loved master to all his pets and animals. He was a lifetime member of Prospect Church and community. He was a lifetime friend to all he had ever met. He spent his life caring for family, friends and animals. He did for all, even when sometimes not even asked. A lot of times he did these things even unnoticed. He loved church barbecues and also doing them at home. Most of the time he cooked and gave it away to family and friends. He was a man who loved to give, even if he didn’t have it to give. He will be well missed and remembered. He was friend to us all. He was my daddy, whom I love and miss so very much. Sweet dreams, Daddy. I love you.” (Submitted by Edwin Allen)

“When I think of a hard worker, I always think of my dad. He worked hard to provide a good life for his wife and children – one girl and four boys. He loved his children deeply. If ever a man lived for his children, my dad did. Whatever he could do to make our lives more meaningful and more blessed, he would do it. He never saw our failures, only our successes. Our joys were his joys; our concerns his concerns; our sorrows were his sorrows. Just as I could have never dreamt of a better uncle than my Uncle Joe (Martin), I could have never dreamt of a better dad than my dad. My father was known by many names; Loice, Papa, Uncle Loice, Bud, Little Loice. My favorite name for him was simply, Daddy.

“My Daddy did more for his children than provide the necessities and luxuries of life; he made sure his children were always in Sunday School and church weekly. Because of this, we all have a strong faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All five of us are members of various churches today, serving in a variety of ministries. My dad was not God, but he did possess God-like qualities. He was always there for us; he loved us unconditionally; he guided us whenever we would let him; he taught us how to live simple and meaningful lives; he taught us to accept people and their imperfections; and he taught us that people, not possessions, are the most important things in life. There is no doubt in my mind that my dad possessed these God-like qualities because his Mom, Emma Saye Allen, possessed them, too.

“My dad was taken away from us in the blink of an eye. He didn’t expect to die when he did; we didn’t expect him to die when he did. Getting through such a tragedy would be impossible if I did not know that my dad was a Christian, or if I were not a Christian. But thanks to God, we are both Christians, and one day I will get to see both my heavenly Father and earthly father, face to face. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

“I know that my dad is in good company now. His cow pastures and hay fields are perfect. His cows, donkeys, goats, turkeys, guineas, chickens and dogs are perfect. Everything is getting the right amount of sunshine and rain. And, yes, he can ride his tractor wherever now and not worry about some careless or impatient driver crashing into him on a roadway. But most importantly, he is enjoying the company of his mom and dad, my uncle, and so many other great saints, i.e. Christians, who have gone on before him.

“In May and in September of 2002, two wonderful and innocent residents of Eudora (Prospect) community in Jasper County (also both members of Prospect United Methodist Church) were killed prematurely. To lose two members in tragic deaths only five months apart is difficult not only on family members, but on church members and friends too. If anything is learned from these tragic deaths, it is that those of us who follow in the footsteps of loved ones should always walk closely with the Lord and love one another, each and every day. We truly never know what tomorrow may bring. And as these two individuals brought so much happiness and sunshine into the lives of others, may we seek to do likewise.” (Submitted by Lyle Allen)

George and Cornelia Kelly Lewis

“Trying to put into words what my grandmother Cornelia Kelly Lewis (‘Big Mama’) and my grandfather George Lewis (‘Grandy’) (lot # 20) meant to me feels like an impossible task. I will give it my best as I try to write between the tears. My first memories are of their living in Mr. Emory Ozburn’s house on Highway 221, now known as Jackson Lake Road. This is right up the road from where Big Mama lived when she passed away. I was very young -- probably six or seven. Mama (Emma Lewis), Daddy (Spirgeon Lewis), Stanley (my brother, lot # 41) and I were there every weekend. Benny Lewis, my uncle, was my buddy; and Robert Lewis, my other uncle, was Stanley’s buddy. Benny and I loved to scare Stanley. One night Benny put a white sheet over me and put me on top of the chicken coop beside the bedroom window where Stanley was sleeping. I scratched on the window and Stanley looked out. He thought a chicken was trying to get him -- he was terrified of chickens! I thought Robert was going to kill both of us. He was very protective of Stanley. Grandy grew cotton when they lived there. Stanley and I used to pick cotton, probably a handful apiece; and Grandy would pay us a nickel each. We thought we were rich. Another memory that sticks out in my mind when they lived there was when Jo Ann Goolsby, daughter of Joe (lot # 21) and Carolyn Lewis Goolsby, was born. Big Mama was in the kitchen cooking and I was sitting in Grandy’s lap when Robert walked in and told us Carolyn had had a baby girl. Robert lived in Atlanta, but he came home every weekend.

“From there they moved to Mr. John Layson’s (lot # 39) house. I don’t know the name of the road this house was on, but it was up the road from Colvin (lot # 36) and Ruth Kitchens. They didn’t live there long. I do remember when they lived there that Grandpa Bob, (lot # 41) Grandy’s father, passed away. Grandma Kelly, (lot # 38) Big Mama’s mother, also passed away while they were living there. Grandma Kelly laid in state in that house in the living room. That was very scary to me.

“After Grandma Kelly passed away, Big Mama and Grandy moved into Grandma Kelly’s house. Stanley and I spent every summer with them. Big Mama worked in the sewing room in Monticello and we stayed with Grandy during the day. He would take us to Rocky Creek to play in the creek and he showed us how to make a dam in the water. Grandy would take us on walks and we would pick maypops (that’s what he called them). Then he taught us to make animals out of them with toothpicks. Grandy had a big garden and we would help him shell butter beans and crowder peas. He cooked lunch for us everyday and on Friday we would go to Monticello to have lunch with Big Mama. Big Mama worked very hard at the sewing room, but still came home and cooked supper for us. At night she would freeze the butter beans and peas that we had shelled that day. She and Grandy used to take us to the cannery where they would can soup. I loved Big Mama’s vegetable soup and Brunswick stew. They always took us to revival at Prospect Church and to Vacation Bible School.

“My favorite childhood memories, if I had to pick, would be of holidays spent with them. Every Christmas Eve Mama, Daddy, Stanley and I would leave Atlanta and head for their house. It was such a joyous time. Grandy would get up on Christmas and start a fire in the heater before anyone else got up. There was no heat in any of the other rooms. We slept under about ten quilts. Later that day the family members who weren’t already there would arrive. Big Mama always prepared a feast at Christmas and every other holiday that came along. As the years progressed and the families grew, the celebrations became larger and larger. The tradition of going to Big Mama and Grandy’s for holidays will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I moved to Pennsylvania in 1982, but every time I came home to Georgia I went to Big Mama and Grandy’s. I felt like that was where my home was. They always welcomed me with open arms and Big Mama would cook all of my favorite dishes.

“Grandy passed away September 6, 1987. What a sad time that was. He loved his family and we all miss him very much. I remember he used to go to the church and build a fire in the heater long before church started. It was still cold in the church, but it was such a thoughtful thing for him to do. There weren’t many people coming to church back then, and we would all huddle around the heater while the preacher preached his sermon.

“We have had a lot of happy times and a lot of sad times in our family since Grandy passed away. When their house burned down in 1997, I was amazed at how well Big Mama handled it. She always found something good in everything. She said her house burned because she would not have been able to survive another year with those old gas heaters in the old house. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. I will never forget the way she held me in her arms at the hospital when my brother was dying. She just held me and let me cry and cry. I love her for always being there for me all of my life and cannot imagine my life without her. Thank you, Big Mama, for being my inspiration and my guiding light. God be with you until we meet again. I love you.” (Submitted by Shirley Kerak)

“The last few years of Big Mama’s life caused many to be amazed. She always seemed to bounce back and kept going and going, much like the Energizer bunny or a cat with nine lives. Actually what she was experiencing was the salvation of God. Placing Big Mama’s name in the last portion of Psalm 91 makes this evident: ‘Because Big Mama has set her love upon Me, therefore I will deliver her; I will set Big Mama on high because she has known My name. Big Mama shall call upon Me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble; I will deliver Big Mama and honor her. With long life I will satisfy Big Mama and show her my salvation.’

“I believe that now Big Mama has experienced God’s ultimate salvation as she has been delivered from her flesh. For the Bible tells us that ‘…this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.

“Truly Big Mama is now enjoying God’s victory – no more pills, no more falls, no more kidney infections or needles. Rather, now she can experience the presence of God, sing in Heaven’s choir and reunite with many loved ones that have gone on before.

“Without a doubt Big Mama was one of a kind, a modern day saint, a true woman of God. Much could be said about Big Mama, but three things about her stand out. She loved her God, she loved her church, and she loved her family.

“When you walked into Big Mama’s home, you could tell that she loved her God. Her house was filled with pictures, figurines and scriptures that testified of her faith. Her Bible was her most treasured possession. You could always count on finding a good devotional or other inspiring Christian literature in Big Mama’s house.

“If you ever discussed a problem with Big Mama or brought up someone that was going through a particularly tough time, she would always encourage you to look to God, the Bible, or His church for the answer. She would usually get teary-eyed and let you know that she was praying and remind you that this was something she did every day. Big Mama knew the God she loved answers prayer.

“It was also very evident that Big Mama loved her church. She was a faithful member here at Prospect for about eighty-eight years. She would often tell of childhood memories that were centered on Prospect. One summer at age eight, her school participated in a revival here at Prospect and she was gloriously saved. I believe since that day that Prospect became holy, sacred ground to Big Mama.

“As a child, I would come to Big Mama’s during the summer and she would have us attend Vacation Bible School. If we came on the weekends, she saw to it that we attended Sunday School, whether we brought church clothes or not. Occasionally if we were staying with Big Mama and there were not special services going on at Prospect, she would bring us here to work. I remember cleaning hardwood floors, polishing pews and clearing weeds from the cemetery.

“Big Mama would often have the pastor over for Sunday dinner. Only a few years ago she signed up to help in the nursery during VBS. Big Mama was an active member at Prospect and had a true love for her church.

“Big Mama loved her family. Anyone who knew her could attest to this. If Big Mama knew you were coming and had not seen you in a while, you could expect a feast. Her meals usually consisted of two or three meats, four or five vegetables, at least two types of bread, two desserts, and her famous iced tea. Eating at Big Mama’s was always ‘all you can eat.’

“If you were fortunate enough to spend the night with her, she would be up before dawn getting breakfast on. I used to think that she woke the roosters. After the breakfast table was cleared, Big Mama would start lunch preparations. After lunch and a few glasses of tea sipped on the front porch while Big Mama caught up on what was going on in your life, she would begin planning dinner. Cooking to Big Mama was an expression of her love.

“Big Mama’s love was also evident at Christmas. Though the family has multiplied and there are now dozens of us, we could always count on having a present under her tree. God seemed to take her limited resources and stretch them, enabling her to provide a gift for everyone.
“Not only was Big Mama’s love evident to those of us still alive but she continued to have a deep love for many loved ones who have gone on before. Several of those are buried here at Prospect. If you were fortunate enough to get Big Mama out for a stroll through the cemetery, she would speak fondly and tell interesting stories about many laid to rest here. Yes, undoubtedly, Big Mama loved her family dearly.

“I believe that when many of us get to Heaven that Big Mama will be just inside Heaven’s gates waiting to greet us with that familiar loving smile and open arms. I believe that she will be eager to take us on a personal tour to show us things and reacquaint us with other loved ones. I am looking forward to that tour and hope that we all do what is biblically required to ensure that we too, like Big Mama, make safe passage to Heaven’s shore.

“May we follow Big Mama’s example and love God unashamedly, wholeheartedly, and without reserve. May we, like Big Mama, have a zeal for His work and serve Him, the church, and each other faithfully. May our love for one another be evident to all; and like Big Mama, may we ‘let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.’” (The eulogy presented by Phil Phillips, Cornelia’s great grandson.)

A tribute to Big Mama

I never knew why Mama gave Big Mama the name she did,

But I do know it suited her well.

No, she was not big… she took the small things in life and made them big.

She had a small house, but always big enough for all those who visited.

She had a small kitchen, but always big enough to cook big meals.

She had a small table, but always covered it with big amounts of food.

She had a small lap, but always big enough to hold her grandkids.

She had a small sewing machine, but big amounts of clothes were sewn there.

She had small Christmas trees, but always big amounts of gifts under those trees.

She had small words, but words that made a big impact.

She had small hands, but always big enough to work.

She had small pets (well usually), but always a big love for them.

She had small amounts of money, but provided in big ways.

Most importantly, Big Mama had a big heart, full of love for her family and God.

Yes, it took a special person, to take the small in life and turn it into big - our Big Mama!

Thank you Big Mama, for making the small in our life BIG and for showing us how to be big people.

(Submitted by Shelly Lankford, Cornelia’s great granddaughter)

“To reduce my darling Aunt Cornelia to mere words is a tall order. - not to suggest that she was larger than life or anything, but she really was! There were so many parts of her personality, each one unique and each one strong. She was a woman of the New Millennium about fifty years before the New Millennium arrived.

“Physically, she was very beautiful. One of my most prized possessions is a copy of a photograph of her, Uncle Leon, and my daddy as little children. She would have been three or perhaps four years old at the time, and she was wearing a beautiful little dress that our grandmother had no doubt made, along with a huge bow in her dark hair. Her face is that of an angel, and although there have been and are many beautiful children in the generations following her, I know of none more beautiful than Anna Cornelia Kelly on that day.

“Aunt Cornelia was not only beautiful (and she was still beautiful on into her 90‘s), she was very, very wise. She had a faith that could move mountains, and I believe with all my heart that many of the blessings enjoyed by those of us privileged to be loved by her are the fruit of her prayer ministry. She had a strong faith that was almost childlike, and she accepted every event of her life as coming from the loving hand of God the Father, trusting him fully to work good out of the most awful of circumstances. She accepted those she loved exactly as they were, modeling so well the Lord’s unconditional love for us. She had a cute, infectious little giggle, and often she was giggling at herself when it came out. She was quite the historian, knowing more about the families of northern Jasper County than most anyone as evidenced by her commentary included in this book. Her ability to retain and catalog information in her mind throughout her life surely must reflect a high level of intelligence, but she had plenty of ‘horse sense’as well, instinctively knowing how to handle situations and people. She surely had the spiritual gift of exhortation, because she had no problem pointing out a weak area in a loved one’s life; but, at the same time, she went right on loving us all in spite of our failures.

“Of course, no comments about Aunt Cornelia would be complete without mentioning her culinary skills. When everybody was coming for Sunday lunch, it was a veritable smorgasbord, and every dish was done to perfection. And if you wanted to offend her, try not eating as many servings as she expected! My children will often comment when I make a dish that she made (especially dressing) ‘Mom, this is good, but it’s not quite like Aunt Cornelia’s.’ She is a hard act to follow!

“Aunt Cornelia pretty much fleshed out the Proverbs 31 woman for us, and I am so thankful that God in His providence allowed me to be part of her life. She was a precious blessing to me, and I am so thankful for the role she played in my life and in the life of my family. May God bless the memory of how she honored Him in her life, and may we all trust Him in the way that she did so that our entire family circle will be unbroken in eternity.”

(Submitted by Sybil Kelly Cunard)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Hebrews 12: 1

A Walk Through the Cemetery With Cornelia Lewis