--Photos by Eddie Best, 2002

Salem Cemetery

Searcy, Arkansas

Salem Cemetery is located in the churchyard of Salem Baptist Church, north of Searcy. The first listing for this cemetery by the White County Historical Society was prepared October 20, 1965, by Cloie and Leister Presley, who published their report the following year in White County Heritage. Additional information was obtained in 2000 by volunteers Gerald Torrence and Tommy H. Treadway of the Historical Society. Another Society member, Leroy Blair, added 14 names to the original list after visiting the cemetery August 24, 2000.

The Presleys reported seeing 25 unmarked graves. They also added the following footnote concerning Confederate Army veteran John J. Stevens, who is buried here: "John J. Stevens, Pvt., New Co. F, 8th Reg. Ark. Inf. Confederate Army, … is shown on the military record as enlisted at Pocahontas, Arkansas, September 23, 1861, for a period of 12 months. He was 20 years old and was enlisted by Lt. John H. Kelly. His commanding officers were Cols. William K. Patterson and John H. Kelly. He was in detached service with the provost guard, August 1862 to the close of 1863. He was captured near Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1, 1864, and exchanged by order of General W.T. Sherman at Rough and Ready, Georgia, September 19, 1864."

Blair provided these directions: "To get to this cemetery from Searcy take the road that goes by the White County Fair Grounds [Davis Drive]. Just after the road crosses the bridge over the Little Red River there is a road going north to the left that is Salem Church Road. Go about 3.8 miles on this road. The cemetery is on the right in the churchyard. It is a nice clean cemetery." Blair was unable to find stones for many names that were on the original Presley list.

When Blair returned to the cemetery in the summer of 2001, he discovered something that he had overlooked on his first trip. "I went out to take a picture of the cemetery, and when I drove into the parking lot I noticed a small plaque on a post. It read Built By Edward Morris 12-12-74, followed by a list of names and numbers. While I was looking at it, a lady drove up and asked if she could help me. She said that the plaque was a list of unmarked graves and that Edward Morris was her uncle. She gave me his telephone number so I called him and learned that he and other older people made the list from memory in 1974, then placed a small bronze number at each grave. He said some of the bronze numbers have vanished over the years. They did not list any dates." Following is the list that is on the plaque:

Hoofman, Charles
Bell, baby
Griffin, Etta Grissom
Edwards, Nannie
Morris, John
Morris, Joe
Griffin, Calvin
Hulsey, baby
Hulsey, baby
Wall, Elzania Morris
Wall, Willie
Hicks, Howard
Wall, Porchia Smith
McGinty, Blunton
Morris, Margaret Petty
Taylor, baby
Antone, Jane Collins
Morris, Carrie Wall
Wall, Alec
Bohanon, Will
Hoofman, Josie
Edwards, Will
Taylor, baby
Fritz, child
Wall, Walter
Wall, Frank
Wall, Clyde
Wycoff, Thedora
Fritz, Lon
McGinty, Ella
Lowery, Eva Mae
Fritz, child
Griffin, baby
Taylor, baby
Moore, baby
Morris, Anna Lee
Jones, Leva Ozella
Hoofman, Nettie
Morris, Carlie
Unknown
Brooks, Addie Wall
Unknown
Brooks, Jessie
Hoofman, Jimmie
Hoofman, Robert
West, Susie
Matlock, Girtie Grisson
Matlock, Tom

49-Unknown

Blair returned here on December 8, 2004, and compared the latest burial list with names and dates on every tombstone in the cemetery, then prepared this updated and corrected version.

If you have corrections or additions to this list or additional information on Salem Cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society, P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145

Name Birth Death Comments
Antone, Jane Collins no dates metal marker #17 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Baker, Mrs. Addie October 9, 1883 December 2, 1953 James Funeral Home markerthis grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Barnes, James Joseph June 4, 1918 December 25, 2003 MSgt. USAF
Barnes, Lloyd Elmo July 5, 1926 June 25, 1994 U.S. Navy WWII
Bell, Baby April 26, 1905 April 26, 1905 metal marker #2
Birdwell, David Lee August 21, 1972 only date
Bohanon, Will no dates metal marker #20
Brooks, Addie Wall no dates metal marker #41 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Brooks, Jessie no dates metal marker #43
Champneys, Margaret Shirlene January 10, 1938 October 8, 2001
Collins, Etolies B. August 16, 1928 November 2, 2001 funeral home marker
Edwards, Frank January 19, 1875 April 9, 1961
Edwards, Hattie December 5, 1878 May 13, 1955
Edwards, Melda Corbin July 3, 1915 July 6, 1998 on double stone with Vernon F. Edwards
Edwards, Nannie no dates metal marker #4 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Edwards, Vernon F. May 21, 1916 September 5, 1995 U.S. Army. WWII on double stone with Melda Corbin Edwards
Edwards, Vernon Franklin Jr. May 26, 1944 March 24, 2004
Edwards, W.G. July 5, 1839 January 31, 1916
Edwards, W.M. September 7, 1957 age 78 broken funeral home marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Edwards, W.M. "Will" December 22, 1872 September 7, 1951
Fritz, child no dates metal marker #24 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Fritz, child no dates metal marker #32 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Fritz, Lon no dates metal marker #29this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Gibson, Billie Denver March 9, 1913 February 7, 2004 on double stone with Evelene Gibson
Gibson, Evelene January 27, 1918 only date on double stone with Billie Denver Gibson
Griffin, Baby no dates metal marker #33
Griffin, Calvin no dates metal marker #7
Griffin, Donal L. baby November 10, 1921 only date
Griffin, Etta Grissom February 12, 1905 May 13, 1905 metal marker #3
Grissom, G.W. September 5, 1862 September 8, 1915
Grissom, Homer C. August 7, 1891 September 18, 1968 Arkansas Pvt. 126th Inf. WWI
Grissom, Homer Cam Jr. March 20, 1924 July 3, 1944 Arkansas Pvt. Air Corps
Grissom, Mary July 2, 1918 August 25, 1942
Grissom, Sallie Stevens December 27, 1894 October 26, 1982
Hicks, Callie W. March 19, 1894 February 6, 1929
Hicks, Howard no dates metal marker #12 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hicks, Jasper H. August 10, 1940 April 10, 1941 Chandler Funeral Home marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hicks, Jasper J. August 1, 1888 August 24, 1957
Hicks, Thomas G. April 12, 1905 April 12, 1905
Hicks, William J. April 6, 1905 April 6, 1905
Hoffman, Albert M. May 9, 1880 September 10, 1938 on double stone with Sallie L. Hoffman
Hoffman, Sallie L. June 10, 1881 November 16, 1965 on double stone with Albert M. Hoffman
Hoofman, Albert Woodyard August 20, 1916 June 23, 1951 Arkansas SSgt.3194 Sig. Svc. Co. WWII
Hoofman, Alice November 6, 1888 March 7, 1965
Hoofman, Charles no dates metal marker #1 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hoofman, Delia L. August 27, 1884 July 26, 1983 on double stone with Josiah Hoofman
Hoofman, Dewey F. March 12, 1905 April 17, 1905
Hoofman, Donald F. December 14, 1934 September 19, 1992
Hoofman, Ellen E. December 26, 1859 January 21, 1892 Mother on stone with Jacob Burrel Hoofman
Hoofman, Esther March 10, 1905 March 13, 1905 small metal marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hoofman, Flite Fay no dates
Hoofman, Henry W. March 4, 1905 April 3, 1905
Hoofman, Her March 10, 1905 March 13, 1905 very old funeral home marker - may be Esther Hoofman
Hoofman, Herbert H. no dates this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hoofman, Jacob Burrel April 17, 1853 March 18, 1912 on stone with Ellen E. Hoofman
Hoofman, Jane January 28, 1905 April 6, 1905
Hoofman, Jimmie H. no dates metal marker #44
Hoofman, Jimmy no dates funeral home marker
Hoofman, Josiah January 21, 1884 May 22, 1967 on double stone with Delia L. Hoofman
Hoofman, Josie
metal marker #21
Hoofman, Melvina S. February 6, 1905 March 17, 1905
Hoofman, Mrs. Alice November 6, 1888 March 7, 1965 funeral home marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hoofman, Nettie March 21, 1878 January 30, 1966 old list had Mettie
Hoofman, Nettie no dates metal marker #38
Hoofman, R. Eugene April 3, 1905 May 2, 1905
Hoofman, Robert H. no dates metal marker #45
Hoofman, Sidney W. January 29, 1905 April 13, 1905 on double stone with Melvin S. Hoofman
Hoofman, Vaughn no dates
metal marker #42
Hoofman, W. Henry March 4, 1905 April 3, 1905 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Hoofman, W.G. January 29, 1905 April 11, 1905 on double stone with Jane Hoofman
Hulsey, Baby no dates metal marker #8
Hulsey, Baby no dates metal marker #9
Hulsey, Mae E. Buckner June 13, 1895 December 27, 1932
Hulsey, Pleas October 31, 1887 October 4, 1974 on double stone with Mae Buckner Hulsey
Jackson, Morris Joseph January 18, 1870 April 25, 1946 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Jones, Leva Ozella December 26, 1924 August 18, 1925 metal marker #37
Lambert, Grace M. July 9, 1892 September 27, 1894 daughter of W.T. and F.M. Lambert this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Lowery, Albert Burrel December 26, 1900 August 27, 1981 on double stone with Leo Corine Lowery
Lowery, Claude C. March 16, 1905 May 16, 1905
Lowery, Clifton R. April 17, 1928 December 9, 1935
Lowery, Effie Mae March 18, 1905 April 25, 1905
Lowery, Eva Mae March 20, 1925 February 23, 1929
Lowery, Jolene June 22, 1933 only date on double stone with William Green Lowery
Lowery, Leo Corine February 19, 1905 April 14, 1983 on double stone with Albert Burrel Lowery
Lowery, William Green January 31, 1930 February 7, 2004 on double stone with Jolene Lowery
Matlock Tom no dates metal marker #48 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Matlock, Girtie Grisson no dates metal marker #47 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
McGinty, Blunton no dates metal marker #14 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
McGinty, Ella no dates metal marker #30
Moore, Baby no dates metal marker #35 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Morris, Anna Lee no dates metal marker #36 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Morris, Carlie February 18, 1897 August 30, 1897  twin daughter of J.J. and C.J. Morris
Morris, Carrie Wall no dates metal marker #18 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Morris, Carry Jane February 1875 September 1, 1935 on double stone with Joseph J. Morris
Morris, Joe no dates metal marker #6 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Morris, John no dates metal marker #5 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Morris, Joseph J. January 1870 May 1, 1946 on double stone with Carry Jane Morris
Morris, Margaret Petty no dates metal marker #15 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
No name December 12, 1982 age 87 funeral home marker
No name December 19, 1932 age 37 –– funeral home markerthis grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Parsons, Mrs. J.J. September 6, 1949 age 60 years funeral home marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Scroggins, Brenda K. Phipps February 15, 1948 April 18, 1988
Stevens, Flora P. February 7, 1872 February 24, 1944 on double stone with Hughey M. Stevens
Stevens, Hughey M. February 22, 1872 February 2, 1934
Stevens, Jerry June 22, 1930 October 25, 1930
Stevens, John J. December 7, 1839 October 20, 1911 Pvt. 8th Arkansas Inf. C.S.A.
Stevens, John J. October 31, 1888 January 31, 1934
Stevens, Lonnie Lee April 1, 1911 May 30, 2002 on double stone with Myrtle Estelle Stevens
Stevens, Mable E. October 27, 1913 November ?, 1989
Stevens, Myrtle Estelle December 31, 1913 September 25, 1982 on double stone with Lonnie Lee Stevens
Stevens, Susan Theestah Dillworth November 14, 1854 November 29, 1916
Stevens, Thomas E. October 8, 1910 December 3, 1967 MSgt. USAF WWII
Taylor, Andrew Jackson January 10, 1905 December 7, 1898
Taylor, Andrew Jackson October 22, 1891 January 1, 1902 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Taylor, Andy March 13, 1905 March 16, 1905 Andy, Benny, Charley, Cora, Jackson, Johnny, Lela and Mattie are all names on the same stone
Taylor, Baby no dates metal marker #16
Taylor, Baby no dates metal marker #23 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Taylor, Baby no dates metal marker #34 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Taylor, Benjamin "Benny" July 10, 1897 November 1, 1905
Taylor, Charley February 20, 1905 February 20, 1905
Taylor, Cora January 31, 1887 March 14, 1905
Taylor, Johnny infant no dates
Taylor, Lela February 13, 1905 July 1, 1909
Taylor, Mattie H. January 23, 1905 March 18, 1905 wife of Andrew Jackson Taylor
Tedford, Billy D. Feb. 17, 2013
Unknown no dates metal marker #40 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Unknown no dates metal marker #49 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Unknown no dates – this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Wall, Alec no dates metal marker #19 name printed on concrete block
Wall, Clyde no dates metal marker #27 name printed on concrete block
Wall, Elle no dates metal marker # 10 old list has marker #10 on Elzania Morris Wall grave name printed on concrete block
Wall, Elzania Morris no dates this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Wall, Frank no dates metal marker #26 name printed on concrete block
Wall, J.W. no dates metal marker #11 old list has marker # 11 on Willie Wall name printed on concrete block
Wall, Porchia Smith no dates metal marker #13 name printed on concrete block
Wall, Walter no dates metal marker #25 name printed on concrete block
Wall, Willie no dates this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Walls, Edward W.M. June 28, 1876 March 20, 1912
Walls, Ledia October 29, 1955 age 83 broken McKinney Funeral Home marker this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
West, Susie no dates metal marker #46 this grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Whitlow, Arestus L. April 2, 1907 January 1, 1975 on double stone with Eathel Mae Whitlow
Whitlow, Brenda K. Scroggins February 15, 1948 April 18, 1988
Whitlow, Eathel Mae August 29, 1906 August 10, 2000 on double stone with Arestus L. Whitlow
Whitlow, Wallace C. October 16, 1939 December 10, 1943 Stone is off its base
Wicoff, Teddy April 7, 1905 April 7, 1905 Kinney Funeral Home markerthis grave or metal marker could not be found on 12/08/2004
Wycoff, Thedora no dates metal marker #28