--photo by Leroy Blair, 2001

Massey Cemetery

Opal, Arkansas

Established in 1885, this cemetery covers about two acres donated by the Massey family approximately a mile west of the Opal community. The site is approximately four-tenths of a mile south of U.S. Highway 64 on John Smith Road, about seven miles west of Beebe, in the NE ¼ of Section 1, Township 5 North, Range 10 West. A small wooden sign with "Massey Cemetery" painted on it marks the turnoff on the south side of Highway 64.

A survey was completed for the White County Historical Society in March 2000 by William E. (Sonny) Davis, Robert C. Davis and Karen K. Davis. Leroy Blair of the Historical Society visited the cemetery February 19, 2001, and described it as "very clean, well cared for." He found seven graves marked only with rocks. He also found two funeral home markers that were illegible but did not appear to be old. He speculated that they may be the markers for the graves of James William Hightower and Annie Irene Hightower because he was unable to find their markers. He also could not find the stone or marker for Washington M. Cook.

Donations for the maintenance of Massey Cemetery may be sent to Bobby Davis, 1314 Headlee Heights, Searcy, AR 72143.

See "Opal's Influx of 1850" for more information

If you have additional information on Massey Cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society, P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145.

Cook, Washington M.   January 6, 1953 Age 70 years, 67 months, 13 days
Davis, A.C. October 20, 1865 April 22, 1952 on double stone with Lucy F. Davis
Davis, Bessie E. March 16, 1891 September 9, 1980 on double stone with Lois C. Davis
Davis, Charles E. October 15, 1862 January 20, 1939
Davis, Elizabeth Jane May 20, 1844 November 1, 1928 on double stone with James R. Davis
Davis, Guy Clayburn January 29, 1920 March 9, 1981
Davis, Henry Jeff November 30, 1911 September 8, 1964
Davis, Icy E. October 24, 1898 September 15, 1903
Davis, James R. June 16, 1834 December 12, 1898 on double stone with Elizabeth Jane Davis
Davis, James Robert March 27, 1918 July 26, 1945
Davis, Lois C. July 2, 1890 September 6, 1942 on double stone with Bessie E. Davis
Davis, Lucy F. 1869 June 6, 1901 on double stone with A.C. Davis
Davis, Pearl L. December 2, 1895 June 21, 1979 on double stone with William E. Davis
Davis, William E. November 27, 1894 February 28, 1955 on double stone with Pearl L. Davis
Fisher, Beulah Mae December 30, 1905 no other date on double stone with Eugene ("Dick") Fisher
Fisher, Eugene ("Dick") September 22, 1900 April 10, 1986 on double stone with Beulah Mae Fisher
Hightower, Annie Irene December 16, 1923 January 24, 1997
Hightower, James William September 30, 1909 November 17, 1988
Isbell, James M. September 12, 1851 October 12, 1903 on double stone with Mary D. Isbell
Isbell, Mary D. February 2, 1857 February 15, 1924 on double stone with James M. Isbell
Kirkpatrick, Joanah V. wife of C.W. Kirkpatrick February 27, 1865 March 31, 1891
Massey, Bessie daughter of J.C. and M.J. Massey January 14, 1895 August 14, 1899
Massey, Drucilla Elizabeth March 25, 1831 February 3, 1900 on double stone with Joel C. Massey
Massey, Elvie C. 1897 1977 married September 25, 1925 – on double stone with William C. Massey
Massey, Infant  born and died September 5, 1903 child of J.C. and M.J. Massey –
Massey, James C. January 27, 1868 June 30, 1944 on double stone with Mary Jane Massey
Massey, Joel C. November 9, 1821 September 17, 1885 on double stone with Drucilla Elizabeth Massey
Massey, Mary Jane May 10, 1873 January 26, 1947 on double stone with James C. Massey
Massey, Verlon C. September 24, 1915 February 22, 1931
Massey, William C. 1898 1994 on double stone with Elvie C. Massey
Noe, Thomas O. February 12, 1917 June 26, 1990 1st Sgt. U.S. Army WWII – previously listed as Thomas, O. Noe
Shurley, Ina H. January 13, 1895 December 16, 1960 on double stone with Joe M. Shurley
Shurley, Infant   died December 27, 1915 son of J.M. and Ina
Shurley, Joe M. June 20, 1894 October 21, 1973 on double stone with Ina Shurley
Shurley, W.J. August 27, 1866 January 1, 1896
Smith, John Lloyd Sr. November 25, 1928 June 20, 1999 SSgt. U.S.Air Force Korea – on double stone with Mary Margee Smith
Smith, Mary Margee May 14, 1939 only date on double stone with John Lloyd Smith Sr.
Taylor, Drucy T. October 1870 March 9, 1965 95 years – painted in black on a concrete block
Taylor, Habb no dates named painted in black on a concrete block
Taylor, Infant     daughter of Drucy T. Taylor – painted in black on a concrete block
Thomas, Randall Noe "Randy" December 28, 19438 March 5, 1981
Thompson, Joanna S. July 14, 1843 only date painted in black on a concrete block
Williams, Effie D. December 23, 1871 January 10, 1949
Williams, Harry Jr. August 31, 1924 April 25, 1995 on double stone with Lucille Williams
Williams, Lucille October 25, 1937 only date on double stone with Harry Williams Jr.