--photo by Gerald Torrence

Starkey/Barger Cemetery

Rose Bud, Arkansas

This cemetery is located south of Rose Bud in Section 33, Township 8 North, Range 10 West, across Highway 5 from the old Starkey Place, which was the Herb Moon Place in 1962 when Cloie and Leister Presley of the White County Historical Society prepared the first listing. "It is in sight of Highway 5 but is on a wooded hill," they wrote, "and would hardly be noticed if you were not looking for it. It could not be seen in summer. There is not even a trail leading to it but it is fenced with barbed wire and is not badly overgrown. Only two unmarked graves."

The cemetery was visited 38 years later by Leroy Blair of the White County Historical Society, who did not find any additional graves. "I was told by people in the area that this is known as the Starkey-Barger Cemetery," Blair reported. "The cemetery is located about five miles south of Rose Bud on Highway 5. There is a hill which has been cut into to widen the road. The cemetery is on the right of the road. Just where the road starts up the hill, there is a place where you can pull off the road and park. The cemetery is about 100 feet up the hill from the parking spot. It is a small cemetery. It has not been cleaned for many years. But there does not appear to be any damage to the stones. I found all the graves that were listed by Cloie and Leister Presley in 1962. I do not believe there are any unmarked graves."

The Presley report noted that "Caroline Barger was the daughter of John B. Starkey and Nancy Weaver Starkey. The family came to Arkansas from Itawamba Co., Miss., in 1870. They had formerly lived in N.C. and Alabama (Tuscaloose County)."

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

Barger, Caroline, wife of H.L. Barger – January 3, 1866 – September 5, 1926

Barger, Eli – Marhc 23, 1908 – July 5, 1908

Barger, H.L. – July 14, 1853 – June 21, 1932

Barger, Jessie – March 23, 1896 – August 2, 1896

Barger, John H., son of H.L. & R.C. Barger – October 29, 1895 – December 6, 1895

Barger, Lloyd, son of H.L. & R.C. Barger – February 26, 1895 – August 3, 1905

Barger, Madison – August 21, 1885 – February 13, 1901

Barger, Mattie Belle – April 17, 1909 – August 5, 1923

Barger, Ola – June 17, 1903 – February 4, 1904

Barger, Pauline – January 17, 1902 – February 6, 1902

Barger, Pearl , daughter of H.L. & R.C. Barger – April 21, 1877 – January 13, 1895

Barger, Willie – January 9, 1909 – October 6, 1909

Starkey, A.B., son of N.A. & J.B. Starkey – August 20, 1875 – April 26, 1901

Starkey, J.B. – June 15, 1823 – January 14, 1889

Starkey, N.A., wife of J.B. Starkey – September 19, 1833 – October 20,1914