Cleburne County and Its People: Volume Ii

By Carl J. Barger

Cleburne County and Its People is a historical account of Cleburne County and the men and women who made it what it is today. These men and women were as diverse as the Ozark Mountain's rock-laden landscapes.

The pioneers who settled Cleburne County were as strong as the land, of hardy pioneer stock, and bold in thought and action. They were shrewd, strong-willed individuals who brought staunch beliefs and strong disciplines with them and settled in an untamed wilderness which became Cleburne County.

Cleburne County and Its Peoplehas drawn from the past and the present--chronicling the lives of settlers facing hardships and tragedies, discovering profound beauty, mastering vast natural resources, and formulating democratic ideals. The stories in this book are honest interpretations of the human experience intertwined with the old and the new and adding exciting dimensions to the county of Cleburne and the state of Arkansas.

The objective of Carl J. Barger, the compiler of Cleburne County and Its People, is to preserve a history of the county of his birth for students, historians, and all of the citizens of Cleburne County.

Carl J. Barger is the author of Swords and Plowshares, a Civil War love story, and Mamie, an Ozark Mountain Girl of Courage, a story of the Ozark Mountain people, set in Cleburne and Van Buren Counties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 13, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467862158

Book preview

© 2008 Carl J. Barger. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 5/7/2008

ISBN: 978-1-4343-6392-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-6215-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008903476

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Acknowledgements

You will find the following chapters in

Cleburne County and Its People, Volume I

Chapter 1       The Beginning

Chapter 2       Patrick Ronayne Cleburne

Chapter 3       The Birth of Heber Springs

Chapter 4       Heber Springs Park

Chapter 5       Heber Springs Historical Hotels

Chapter 6       M & N A Railroad

Chapter 7       Heber Springs Glove Factory

Chapter 8       Ely and Walker Shirt Factory

Chapter 9       Greers Ferry Dam and Lake

Chapter 10       The Dedication of Greers Ferry Dam

Chapter 11       National Fish Hatchery

Chapter 12       The People of Heber Springs

Chapter 13       History of Quitman

Chapter 14       The People of Quitman

Chapter 15       History of Shiloh

Chapter 16       The People of Shiloh

Chapter 17       History of Higden

Chapter 18       The People of Higden

Chapter 19       History of Pearson

Chapter 20       The People of Pearson

Chapter 21       History of California Mountain

Chapter 22       The People of California Mountain

Chapter 23       History of Greers Ferry, Arkansas

Chapter 24       The People of Greers Ferry

Chapter 25

History of Edgemont

The little town of Edgemont with a population today of about 150 people is located on Highway 16 in the northern part of Cleburne County. It was once a part of Van Buren County before Cleburne became a county in 1883. The city limits of Edgemont begin north of the Edgemont Bridge which spans across Lake Greers Ferry.

When the first settlers came to Edgemont in the 1840’s and 1850’s, the little community was known as Kinderhook. Kinderhook had one of the first post offices in Van Buren County. Settlers at Miller, Shiloh, Stark, and Higden got their mail in Kinderhook. The early settlers found rich farm land along the banks of the Little Red River which today is part of Greers Ferry Lake.

The land north, west, and east of the Little Red River was populated with virgin pine and lots of hardwood trees. The land being part of the foothills of the Ozark Mountains naturally was rocky and hilly. Little could be grown on the hilly land. Therefore, only a few farmed. Cotton was grown in the bottom land and corn on the hilly land.

In July, 1908, the Edgemont Improvement Company was organized. Its first job was to locate, survey, and layout and plat the town of Stark, Cleburne County.

E. T. Stanfield was the president, and stockholders were J. M. Smith and W. J. Ask. The post office was established that year and according to E. T. Stanfield, the founder, the town grew to five or six hundred people.

Boarding houses in Higden accommodated people working in the timber. The town had three sawmills, a cotton gin, the Globe Cooperate and Lumber Company, several restaurants, a drug store, a hotel, and a bank.

Edgemont had three churches, Methodist, Christian, and Baptist. It also had a Masonic Lodge and a school that offered a high school degree.

One of the first bridges into the area was a 500 foot swinging bridge built by residents who grew tired of trying to ford the river. Some of the earlier teachers at the Edgemont School were, Mary Lockard, Bud Barnum, Ruby Smith Stark, Billie Jo Rollins, Leota Bailey, and Mrs. Qwen Underwood.

The Missouri and Arkansas Railroad served Edgemont from the early 1900’s until its closing in the 1940’s. The train came right through Edgemont which made it a popular stopping off place. The next train stop was at Settlement near Shirley, Arkansas, which were located in Van Buren County. When the Missouri and Arkansas Railroad closed down in the 1940’s, the little town of Edgemont began to loose population.

In the 1960’s when Lake Greers Ferry began to fill up, the town was moved to its present location about one mile north of its original town site. Today one can find several old brick and rock foundations of buildings buried beneath the waters of Greers Ferry Lake. What was once good bottom farm land is now all water.

Today, the little town is a tourist attraction. It is surrounded by water on three sides and is a paradise for fishermen and boaters. Today a visitor can visit the Lakefront Restaurant which is noted for serving some of the best fresh fish on Greers Ferry Lake. It has the Lakefront Lodge and Resort plus several lake cabins and retirement homes. Those tourist who travel by R. V.’s can find a great camping area at the Blue Clouds RV and Cabin Resort, just west of town.

Some other attractions that make Edgemont a popular place is Fairfield Bay Resort which is located about eight miles to the west and Greers Ferry which is a growing little resort town located about three miles to the south. Between Fairfield Bay, Greers Ferry, and Higden, one can find about anything that one needs to have a pleasant visit or home in the area. From Lake Greers Ferry, Edgemont can be seen for miles away. It sits up on a hill that overlooks Greers Ferry. It offers a beautiful showcase from the Lake.

The people of Edgemont are some of the friendliest people in the Ozarks Mountains. They go out of their way to make you feel at home.

History of Kinderhook

The Kinderhook Post Office was established in Van Buren County on January 12, 1837. It was discontinued on January 19, 1839.

It was re-established in Van Buren County on May 6, 1840. It was located in what is now Cleburne County. Some say it was located near Stark and some say it was located at the Junction of Highways 16 and 92 which is closer to Edgemont. It was discontinued on December 4, 1894. After this, the mail came from Shiloh, Arkansas, in Cleburne County.

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Chapter 26

The People of Edgemont

Oather D. Bailey (1909-1995)

Oather D. Bailey was born in Miller, Cleburne County, Arkansas, on August 30, 1909, to Julian Bailey and Pearl Hazelwood Bailey.

He married Ella Davis of Edgemont and this marriage was blessed with three sons and two daughters.

Oather D. Bailey was a farmer in the Edgemont community. He was well known throughout Cleburne County. Besides farming, he was a former foreman of the Olivette Lumber Company. He was a member of the Heber Springs First Baptist Church.

On Tuesday, November 14, 1995, Oather D. Bailey passed away at the White County Memorial Hospital in Searcy, White County, Arkansas. He was eighty-six years old.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Ella Davis Bailey of Edgemont; three sons, Billy D. Bailey of Oakland, Arkansas, Roy Bailey of Memphis, Tennessee, and Tommy Bailey of Edgemont; two daughters, Margie Winn of Heber Springs, and Barbara Hayes of Searcy, Arkansas; two brothers, Leon Bailey of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Kenneth Bailey of Kentucky; one sister, Opal Stark of Heber Springs; nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great –great-grandchild.

Funeral services for Oather Bailey were held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, November 16, 1995, in the Shiloh Cross Roads Church with Rev. J. C. Verser officiating.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home, Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Ella Ann Davis Bailey (1913-2006)

Ella Ann Davis Bailey was born on October 10, 1913, at Miller, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Annual Lafayette Davis and Martha Ann Hooten Davis. The Davis were some of the earlier settlers to the Edgemont community.

Annual and Martha had several children: James Davis, Hattie Davis, Roy Davis, Brannon Davis, Ada Davis, Nathaniel Davis, Troy Davis, E. C. Davis, Bud Davis, and Ella Ann Davis. The Davis were some of the most influential settlers in the area. They were prominent farmers and were well thought of in Cleburne County.

One of Annual and Martha’s daughters was Ella Ann Davis who married Oather D. Bailey.

Ella chose nursing as her profession.

She and Oather had three sons and two daughters which she instilled a deep faith in God. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church.

Ella was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County. During her ninety-two years of life, she gave her time willingly to her nursing job, her family, and her church. She was widely known throughout Cleburne County.

On September 18, 2006, at the age of ninety-two, Mrs. Ella Ann Davis Bailey went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She passed away at the Baptist Health Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Oather D. Bailey; her brothers, Troy Davis, Bud David, E. C. Davis, Roy Davis, Brannon Davis, and Jim Davis; her sisters, Hattie Trammell and Ada Cheattwood; and one grandson Brian Hayes.

She is survived by a son, Billy D. Bailey and a daughter-in-law, Norma Bailey of Oakland; two sons, Roy Lee Bailey of Memphis, Tennessee, and Tommy Joe Bailey of Edgemont; two daughters, Margie Wynne and son-in-law Ronnie Wynne of Heber Springs, and Barbara Hayes and son-in-law, Danny Hayes of Searcy; nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Todd Davis of Greers Ferry, Arkansas.

Funeral services were held at the Shiloh Cross Roads Church with Rev. Bennie Foster officiating.

Active Pallbearers were Phillip Lancaster, Cody Hayes, Tommy Smith, John Bailey, Ernest Bailey and Gerald Trammell.

Honorary Pallbearer were Cameron Bailey Hayes.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery under the directions of Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Brose Barnum (1907-1988)

Brose Barnum was born in Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas, on October 2, 1907. He was the son of W. T. Barnum and Alyce Morgan Barnum.

He was educated in the Edgemont Public Schools.

Brose was a retired farmer and a United States mail carrier. He also served many years on the Democratic Committee for Cleburne County.

Being a rural mail carrier, he was widely known and had made several friends over the years he carried the mail. He was reliable in running his rural route. The patrons on his route were very appreciative of Brose for his consistency in getting the mail to them on time.

Brose was a good family man as well. He loved his family and was a good provider for them.

On Saturday, September 24, 1988, at the age of eighty, Brose Barnum passed away.

At the time he died, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Marie Smith Barnum of the home; three daughters, Tommie Glanton of North Little Rock, Carol Kaffka of Little Rock, and Lou Majors of Greers Ferry; one sister, Mrs. Azalea Wilson of Blytheville; eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the West Side Baptist Church in Greers Ferry, Arkansas, on Monday, September 26, 1988. The Rev. Vann Harness officiated his last rites.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Mike Glanton, Darrell Glanton, Byron Glanton, B. J. Majors, Ronny Majors, Greg Kaffka and Eric Kaffka.

Lena Birdsong (1865-1949)

Margarette Lena Lockard Birdsong was born on July 13, 1965. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Lockard.

Lena spent her entire life in Cleburne County. She was a member of the Christian Church and was very active in that church for fifty-two years. During her eighty-three years in the Edgemont, Arkansas, she built many strong friends. She was active in her church as well as community sponsored events.

She was a good mother and a good grandmother.

Mrs. Lena Birdsong went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday, July 14, 1949. She was eighty-three years old when she passed away at her home in Edgemont.

At the time of her death, she was survived by two sons, Luther Birdsong and Domer Birdsong of Prim, Arkansas; five daughters, Mrs. D. L. Hipp and Mrs. H. D. Hipp of Prim, Arkansas, Mrs. Carol Eason of Edgemont, Arkansas, Mrs. L. R. Bolton and Mrs. Dewie Morgan of Little Rock; twenty-nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery near Shiloh under the direction of Rev. G. W. Norman.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Morine Gentry Bittle (1927-1993)

Morine Gentry was born in 1926, in Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas, to Elmer Gentry and Mollie Gentry. Morine came from a large family of brothers and sisters. Her brothers were Marvin, Elvis, Melvin, Elvin, Alvin, Joe and David Gentry. Her sisters were Betty and Murlean Gentry.

She spent most of her life in Cleburne County, Arkansas. She attended the two-room school house in Edgemont. She later married Jim Ples Bittle and moved to Searcy, Arkansas where she lived for the remainder of her life.

On January 20, 1993, at the age of sixty-six, Morine Gentry Bittle passed away at her residence in Searcy. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Ples Bittle; three brothers, Marvin Gentry, Melvin Gentry, and Elvis Gentry; and one sister Betty Louis Gentry Spier.

At the time of her death, she was survived by four brothers, Elvin Gentry of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, Alvin Gentry of Shirley, Joe Gentry of Edgemont, and David Gentry of Shirley, Arkansas; and one sister, Murlean Trammel.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 22, 1993, at 2:00 P.M. at the Shiloh Cross Roads Church.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery under the direction of McEuen Funeral Home of Searcy, Arkansas.

Annual Lafayette Davis (1872-1951)

Annual Lafayette Davis was born in Mississippi, on March 26, 1872. He moved to Van Buren County with his parents while a small boy. Following the death of his father he was taken into the home of Uncle John Bradford and family for rearing.

He spent his entire life in Van Buren and Cleburne Counties and it was in his honor that the community of Davis Special derived its name. He lived out his life in the Post Oak, and Edgemont, Arkansas, communities where he was a well-known farmer.

In the 1900, Van Buren County, Union Township federal census, we find Annual Davis listed as head of the family. The federal census listed his age as being thirty-one, and his wife, Rilda Campbell Davis, at thirty-three years old, being born in December, 1866. The federal census records listed Annual and Rilda having the following children: E.C. Davis, James A. Davis, Hattie Davis, William R. Davis, and Floyd B Davis.

In 1902, Rilda Campbell passed away at the family home in Edgemont.

Annual later married Martha Ann Hooten. To this marriage union was born four children.

In the 1910, the Cleburne County federal census, Poff Township, listed Annual as head of the family and Martha as his wife. In their household the following children were listed: James Davis, Hattie Davis, Roy Davis, Brannon Davis, Ada Davis, Nathaniel Davis, and Troy Davis.

In the 1920 federal census, we find that Annual and Martha have Ada, Nathaniel, Troy, Todd Davis, and Ella A. Davis living in their household. By 1930, only Troy and Ella remain at home with Annual and Martha.

In 1938, Martha Ann Hooten Davis died and Annual married Mrs. Maud Gaither.

Annual was affectionally known by his many admirers as Uncle Annual. He was a faithful husband, father, and a bulwark of strength of righteousness. He was a public-spirited citizen always actively associated with any undertaking calculated to better the moral, spiritual, and public welfare of his community.

He had been a member of the Presbyterian church for sixty years. He was a charter member of the Sam Williams Lodge, #89, of Edgemont.

On Monday, September 25, 1951, at his home in Edgemont, Arkansas, Annual LaFayette Davis passed away at the age of seventy-nine.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Maud Gaither of the home; seven sons, E. C. Davis of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Jim A. Davis of Miller, Arkansas, Roy Davis of Memphis, Tennessee, Brandon Davis of Heber Springs, Arkansas, Nathan Davis, and Troy Davis of Edgemont, Arkansas, and Todd Davis of Miller, Arkansas; and three daughters, Mrs. Hattie Trimwell, of Miller, Arkansas, Mrs. Ada Cheatwood, Micawber, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Ella Bailey, Heber Springs, Arkansas; twenty-four grand children, and thirty-eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. W. Tapley, with special music by a quartet composed of Alton Bittle, T. L. Turney, Floyd Pettus and Shelby Henderson. Gravesite rites were conducted by the Masonic Lodge of Edgemont.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery under the direction of Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Floyd Brannon Davis (1900-1980)

One of Annual and Rilda Campbell Davises son, Floyd Davis, was born in Union Township, Van Buren County, Arkansas, on April 17, 1900. He became a lifelong resident of Cleburne County. Like his father, Floyd Davis, chose farming and carpentry as his profession. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Because of his carpentry skills and farming reputation, Floyd was known throughout Cleburne and Van Buren Counties. He was a good carpenter and was in big demand most of his working days.

He and his wife, Nancy, were blessed with four sons and two daughters, all living to adulthood.

Floyd provided a good living for his family and was proud of each of his children. He was active in both church and community activities.

On Saturday, October 11, 1980, at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, Floyd Brannon Davis passed away at the age of eighty.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Nancy Davis of Clinton, Arkansas; four sons, Leon Davis of Cabot, Barney Davis of Lewisville, Texas, Truman Davis of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Lovell Davis of North Little Rock; two daughters, Mrs. Geneva Jauch of Heber Springs, and Mrs. Loreda Ellis of Clinton; four brothers, Jim Davis and Todd Davis, both of Greers Ferry, Bud Davis of Edgemont and Troy Davis of Shirley, Arkansas; two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Trammell of Searcy, and Mrs. Ella Bailey of Heber Springs; twenty-six grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral service for Floyd was held on Tuesday, October 14, 1980, at the Olmstead Chapel in Heber Springs. Mr. Henry Pipkin officiated Mr. Davis’s last rites.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Mr. Davis’ grandsons.

James A. Davis (1891-1984) and Hattie Bittle Davis (1895-1976)

James Alvin Jim Davis was born in Higden, Arkansas, on November 5, 1891. He was the son of Annuel Davis and Rilda Campbell Davis of Shiloh, Arkansas.

James spent his entire life in Cleburne County. He was widely known as being one of the best farmers and gardeners in the community. James was from one of the original Davis families that settled in Shiloh, Arkansas. The Davis descendants are numerous in Cleburne County.

James married Hattie Bittle in 1912.

Hattie was born on January 15, 1895, to Rev.Thomas Joshua and Bessie Snelson Bittle of Shiloh, Arkansas.

Hattie’s parents were blessed with a large family. Besides Hattie, there were four other girls, Nettie Bittle, Mattie Bittle, Bertha Bittle, and Julia Bittle; and four sons, Jessie Conrad, Henry Bittle, George Whit Bittle, and James Thurman Bittle.

James and Hattie’s marriage was blessed with four children, Cecil Eliga Davis, Floyd Thomas Davis, Henry Alvin Davis, and Pearl Marie Davis.

Hattie’s life had been one of Christian devotion which was evidenced in the loving atmosphere in which she reared her children and helped her husband in the operation of the farm. Being confined to a wheel chair for ten years after a stroke, he didn’t alter her being a happy and cheerful person. Her life was still rich in spirit.

On November 28, 1976, at the age of eighty-one, Hattie Bittle Davis went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the Cleburne County Hospital. She was preceded in death by one son, Floyd Davis.

At the time of her death, she was survived by two sons, Cecil Davis of Higden, and Alvin Davis of Brewer; one daughter, Mrs. Pearl McCarty of Higden; three brothers, Conrad and Thurman Bittle of Heber Springs, and Gordon Bittle of Pearson; two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Butler of Quitman, and Mrs. Julia Galloway of Indiana. She was also survived by twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren and one step-grandchild.

The Rev. Ervin Clayton and Rev. James Sibert conducted the funeral services at the Shiloh Cross Roads Church.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Road Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Mrs. Hattie Davis’s nephews were the pallbearers.

On Wednesday, January 13, 1984, at the age of ninety-two, at the Geriatrics Nursing Center in Heber Springs, James Alvin Jim Davis passed away. He was a member of the Methodist church.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie, and one son, Floyd Davis.

He was survived by two sons, Cecil Davis of Higden, and Alvin Davis of Heber Springs; one daughter, Mrs. Pearl McCarty of Higdens; thee half-brothers, Todd Davis of Greers Ferry, Bud Davis and Troy Davis, both of Edgemont; two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Trammell of Searcy, Arkansas, and Mrs. Ella Bailey of Edgemont, Arkansas; twelve grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and twenty-eight great-great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Ervin Clayton conducted the final tribute for James Jim Davis at the Shiloh Cross Roads Church on Friday, June 15, 1984.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were his grandsons.

Floyd A. Davis (1915-1971)

Floyd A. Davis was born in Shiloh, Arkansas, on November 18, 1915. He was the son of James Alvin Jim Davis and Hattie Bittle Davis of Shiloh.

He was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County. He was a farmer by vocation and a member of the Holiness church. He was a pleasant, personable man who had the facility of making friends. His impeccable character and his adherence to the finer principles of life were endowments which earned him the respect of a wide acquaintance.

On January 12, 1971, at his home in Higden, Arkansas, Floyd A. Davis passed away at the age of fifty-five.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Bertha Carlton Davis of the home; two sons, Jimmy Davis who worked for the Cleburne County Times and Lovell Carlton of Edgemont; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Alvin and Hattie Bittle Davis of Higden; two brothers, Cecil Davis of Higden and Alvin Davis of Edgemont; one sister, Mrs. Pearl McCarty of Higden; and two grandchildren.

Floyd Davis’s funeral services was officiated by the Rev. Vernon Carlton of Prim, Arkansas. A testimony of the high esteem in which he was held by his fellowman was the many beautiful flowers and the presence of a host of friends from far and near who overflowed the Everett Church.

Interment was in the Everett Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were L. J. Davis, Jimmy L. Davis, Larry Davis, Oran Davis, Gerald Davis and Howard Everett.

Orris R. Davis (1869)

Orris R. Davis was born in Mississippi, in 1869. He moved to Van Buren County when he was a boy with his parents. He and his brother, Annual Lafayette Davis, and a sister Elisa Davis, all appear in the 1900 Federal Census Record in Union Township, Van Buren County. Elisa was living with her brother Orris and his family. She was single and twenty years old. Both Annual and Orris R. Davis were listed as head of their families.

In the household with Orris and his wife, Elisa E. Davis, was their children, Thomas C. Davis, Benjamin R. Davis, Ollie M. Davis, Oliver Davis, and Ivory O. Davis.

In the 1910 Morgan Township, Cleburne County, Arkansas, Orris is married to Nancy P. Davis. The following children were listed in the household: Bennie R. Davis, Ollie M. Davis, Oliver Davis, Ivy Davis, Luther Davis, Monroe Davis and Delia Davis.

Orris owned a farm in the Morgan Township, Cleburne County, Arkansas. He was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County and chose farming as his vocation. He was well-respected among his neighbors and friends.

Oliver Davis (1897-1936) Accidental Death

Oliver Davis was born in Union Township, Van Buren County, Arkansas, in 1897, to Orris R. Davis and Elisa E. Davis. The Davises moved to Van Buren County from the state of Mississippi.

In 1936, Oliver Davis of Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas, was accidentally killed when he became a victim of asphyxiation in a well in the Edgemont community early on Tuesday, September 1, 1936. He was forty years old.

Mr. Davis who resided in the Lone Pine community near Edgemont had dynamited a well on the W. P. Barnum’s farm at Edgemont on Monday. On Tuesday he returned to the well to complete the job. He was accompanied by Brose Barnum. Mr. Davis’s objective was to remove the loosened rock he had blown loose with the dynamite on Monday.

As he entered the well, he complained to Mr. Barnum that the well had a gaseous atmosphere, but that he was going to try to remove the rock and dirt. Mr. Barnum tried to get him to exit the well immediately. Seeing he couldn’t stay in the well any longer, Oliver started climbing out of the well. He got only about ten feet up when he was overcome by the gas and fell back to the bottom.

Barnum, unable to go into the well because of the deadly gas, ran for help, arriving a few minutes later. The body of Davis was finally hauled to the top of the pit and a physician was summoned, who pronounced him dead.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his mother, Mrs. Orris Davis of Oil Trough, Arkansas; his wife, Martha Totten Davis; six children, William Coy Davis, Lois Davis, Gladys Davis, Beulah Davis, Eulah Davis, and Buford Davis, all of Lone Pine, Arkansas; three brothers, T. C. Davis of Batesville, Arkansas, Ben Davis of Newport, Arkansas, and Monroe Davis of Oil Trough, Arkansas; two step-brothers and a sister.

Funeral service was held at Edgemont on Wednesday, September 2, 1936.

Interment was at Davis Special Cemetery, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, near Shirley.

Thomas Clifton Davis (1889-1965)

Thomas Clifton Davis was born in Van Buren County on December 3, 1889. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ora Davis . Clifton received what education he got at the Edgemont School System. He spent his entire life in the Brewer and Edgemont communities of Cleburne County.

He was a retired farmer who was a lover of the outdoors. He was particularly fond of fishing and was so successful in that sport that he was referred to by friends and companions as the county’s champion fisherman.

Clifton was a member of the Church of Christ. He enjoyed the respect of all who knew him for his fine traits of character, and his pleasant, jovial disposition made him a welcome companion and built for him a boundless empire of friendships.

On Saturday, October 16, 1965, Thomas Clifton Davis went to be with his Lord. He died at the Cleburne County Hospital. He was seventy-five years old.

He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Mollie Davis of the home; ten sons, Jim Davis and Dell Davis of Wooster, Arkansas, James Davis and Clyde Davis of Saint Maries, Idaho, George Davis of Fox, Arkansas, Floyd Davis of Kokomo, Indiana, Dean Davis, Lloyd Davis, and Cecil Davis of Brewer, Arkansas, and Richard Davis of Heber Springs; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Coffman, and Mrs. Lucille Lever of California; and forty-one grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 P.M. on Sunday at the Brewer Cemetery Chapel. The Rev. H. M. Dugger officiated at the last rites of Mr. Davis.

Interment was in the Brewer Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were members of the family.

Thomas Minor Davis (1941-1997)

Thomas Minor Davis was born in Shirley, Arkansas, on April 26, 1941. He was the son of Troy T. Davis and Merle Brady Davis of Edgemont, Arkansas.

Thomas spent his life in Cleburne County as a farmer and car salesman. He was a member of the West Side Baptist Church.

Thomas was widely known in the county. His ancestors were some of the first settlers to the county. His contact with people as an auto salesman gained him the respect of many friends for his honesty and integrity.

On June 12, 1997, Thomas Minor Davis, age fifty-six of the Fairfield Bay community passed away at the Van Buren County Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Arkansas.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Lisa Mahan Davis of the home; his father, Troy T. Davis of Edgemont; four sons, Robin Davis of Mississippi, Tommy Davis of Conway, Tony Davis of Clinton, and J. J. Davis of Little Rock; four daughters, Pamela Hill of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ashely Davis, Becky Cook, and Brenda Cook, all of Edgemont, Arkansas; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held for Mr. Davis at the West Side Baptist Church on June 14, 1997. The Rev. Van Harness officiated at Mr. Davis’s last rites.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmsted Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were Richard Lassiter, Carl Whitehurst, Darrell Watts, F. L. Davis, Fred James, Howard Lee Potter, Larry Nelson and Larry Moody.

William Coy Davis (1926-1983)

William Coy Davis, son of Oliver Davis and Martha Totten Davis was born on February 1, 1926, at Greers Ferry, Arkansas. Coy Bill’s father, Oliver Davis died at Edgemont on September 2, 1936, in a water well accident.

Coy Bill and his wife, Margaret Grady, were blessed with four children, two boys and two daughters.

Mr. Davis was a farmer most of his life. He and his family lived in Rio Osa, California, for several years before returning to Cleburne County where he purchased a cattle farm near Quitman, Arkansas.

Coy Bill was well liked by those who knew him. He loved Cleburne County and was so glad to get to return to his roots. He and his wife, Margaret, worked hard to shape the farm in Quitman into a money making business.

He and his family attended the Church of Christ in Quitman, Arkansas.

On Wednesday, April 20, 1983, at the Heber Springs Hospital, Coy Bill Davis went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was only fifty-seven years old.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his mother, Martha Totten Davis Cupler of Wheatland, California; his wife, Mrs. Margariet Grady Davis of Quitman; two sons, Michael R. Davis of Phoenix, Arizona, and Tony O. Davis of Wheatland, California; two daughters, Mrs. Joan R. Seifert and Mrs. Jeannie G. Van Zandt, both of Wheatland, California; four brothers, Buford Davis of Wheatland, California, Donald Cupler of Texas, Arthur O’Neal Cupler of California, and Carl Cupler of Marysville, California; five sisters, Mrs. Lois Lane of Pittsburg, California, Mrs. Gladys Martin of Niles, Michigan, Mrs. Beulah Mitchell of San Jose, California, Mrs. Eulah Ishmale of Yuba City, California, and Mrs. Geneva Drake of Elk Grove, California; and eight grandchildren.

Coy Bill Davis’s funeral was preached by Lynn Bufford at the Church of Christ in Quitman, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, near Shirley, Arkansas, by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Charles Pratt, Gary Barger, David Pankey, Floyd Davis, Jimmy Barger, and Chester Barger.

Robert H. Gadberry (1898-1972)

Robert H. Gadberry was born in Edgemont, Arkansas, on November 23, 1898. He was the son of Billy Gadberry and Margaret Hill Gadberry of Edgemont.

He was educated in the Edgemont School System and grew up in that community. He was a lifelong resident of Edgemont and was a retired farmer.

Robert was a member of the Church of Christ and his life had at all times been actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. His personal qualities, his friendliness, and his sincerity made for him many enduring friendships and earned him the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

On Sunday, January 30, 1972, at Heber Sprigs at the age of seventy-three, Robert H. Gadberry of Edgemont passed away.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Rubal Ward Gadberry; one brother, Henry Gadberry of California; five sisters, Mrs. Clarce Lynn of Heber Springs, Mrs. Rachel Davis of Texas, Mrs. Delia Bell, Mrs. Thelma Huber and Mrs. Oretha Bruins, all of California.

The Rev. David Wade officiated Mr. Gadberry’s last rites at the Olmstead Funeral Home Chapel in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Higden McLahaney Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were his friends who love and respected him for being a fine Christian and neighbor.

David W. Gentry (1855)

The story of the Gentrys in Arkansas begins with David W. Gentry who was born in Alabama in October, 1855. He was one of the earliest pioneers to settle in Cleburne County. He settled in the Edgemont area in the late 1800’s. He was married to Sarah Emma Gentry who was born in September, 1875, in Arkansas. He and Emma had the following children, David H. Gentry, Ellison Gentry, Elmer Gentry, Claude Gentry, Roy Gentry, Elbert Gentry and Ruby Gentry.

David and Sarah lived on a farm in the Edgemont community.

Alvin Turner Gentry (1927-2003)

One of Elmer Gentry and Mollie Parker Gentry’s sons, Alvin Turner Gentry was born in their home near Edgemont, Arkansas, on December 28, 1927. He was the fifth of ten children born to Elmer and Mollie Parker Gentry. He grew up in the Edgemont area and attended school in the two-room school house at Edgemont.

Alvin was employed with the Rural Electric Corporation and spent most of his life with the company before suffering a horrible accident on the job. The accident left him disabled and he was forced to retire. Besides working for the Rural Electric cooperation, Alvin was a farmer. He and his wife, Yvonne Stark Gentry, owned and operated a farm near Edgemont. They raised cattle and other farm animals. Yvonne was the daughter of Don Stark and Ida Stark of the Greers Ferry community. She was a stay-at-home mom. She and Turner had one son, Terry Wayne Gentry.

Alvin was a Protestant by religion.

On June 25, 2003, at the Central Arkansas Hospital in Searcy, Arkansas, Alvin passed away at the age of seventy-five.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mollie Parker Gentry; his son, Terry Wayne Gentry; brothers, Marvin Gentry, Elvis Gentry, and Melvin Gentry; two sisters, Morine Gentry Bailey and Betty Gentry Spear.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his two grandsons, Jason W. Gentry and wife Clara Davis Gentry, and Gary L. Gentry and his wife Amy M. Gentry and their daughter, Haley M. Gentry, all of Cleburne County. He was survived also by his x-wife, Yvonne Stark Gentry of Clinton, Arkansas.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 28, 2003, at the Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

Billy Joe Gentry (1931-2007)

Billy Joe Gentry was born in Edgemont, Arkansas, on December 30, 1931. He was the son of Elmer Gentry and Mollie Parker Gentry of Edgemont. He was educated in the Edgemont School System and spent his entire life in the Edgemont community.

He chose logging as his vocation. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his grandchildren. Joe always had a smile on his face. His sense of humor won him many friends.

On Monday, May 14, 2007, Billy Joe Gentry of Edgemont, Arkansas, passed away at his home. He was seventy-five years old.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Della Mae Stark Gentry of the home; one son, Bobby Joe Gentry and wife, Lynn Thompson, of Brooksville, Mississippi; one daughter, Betty Jo Gideon and her husband, Paul Gideon, of Horatio, Arkansas; one brother, David Gentry of Shirley; one sister, Murlene Trammell of Searcy, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Jessica Sanders and her husband, Brady Sanders, Samantha Jo Gentry, Rachel Gideon, Matt Gideon, Rebecca Gideon, Samuel Gideon, Daniel Gideon, and Heather Veltri and her husband, Aaron Veltri; three great-grandchildren, Tanner Shurden, Jochlyn Veltri, and Nate Veltri.

Funeral services for Mr. Gentry were held at the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery under the direction of Rev. Kirk Hardy.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were Johnny Pearce, Greg Pearce, Gerald Trammell, Kendell Richey, Larry John Davis, and Johnny Gentry.

Claude Gentry (1909-1984)

Claude Gentry was born in the Morgan Township of Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas, on August 11, 1909. He was the son of David Bud Gentry and Sarah Emma Gentry of Edgemont. He was life long resident of Cleburne County. Claude Gentry chose carpentry as his vocation.

He was married to Eva Gentry. He and Eva made their home in Drasco, Arkansas.

Claude was widely known throughout Cleburne County. His carpentry skills made him popular among those people who used him in building their homes or remodeling their homes. He was also known for his work in the Holiness church in which he and Eva were members. He was a good neighbor to many.

On Friday, July 27, 1984, at the age of seventy-four, Claude Gentry passed away at the Heber Springs Hospital.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Eva Gentry of Drasco; one brother, Roy Gentry of Concord; one sister, Mrs. Ruby Hale of McAlister, Oklahoma; and several nephews and nieces.

Funeral services were held at the Olmstead Funeral Home Chapel in Heber Springs under the direction of the Rev. Irvin Clayton.

Interment was in the Settlement Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were his nephews.

Elvin "Ebb Gentry (1924-2006)

Elvin Ebb Gentry was born in Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas, on August 8, 1924. He was the son of Elmer Gentry and Molly Parker Gentry of Edgemont.

Ebb was educated in the Edgemont School System. He spent his entire life in the Edgemont and Greers Ferry communities. He chose farming, working in timber and carpentry as his main vocations in life.

On July 23, 1953, Ebb Gentry married Betty Lou Barger Stark in a ceremony in Searcy, Arkansas. The Rev. Eugene Fowler officiated at the wedding ceremony.

Betty was the daughter of Edward Barger and Mamie Ann Totten Barger of Greers Ferry, Arkansas. She was also the widow of Mr. J. D. Stark, to whom one child was born, Diana Christine Stark.

On July 3, 1954, Betty and Ebb were blessed with their first daughter, Reva Nell Gentry. In the years to come, they would be blessed with four children: Evelyn Lee Gentry was born on October 1, 1957, Tammy Marie Gentry was born on April 22, 1960, Ebbie Gentry was born on August 2, 1962, and Johnny Gentry was born on January 23, 1965.

Ebb Gentry was a hard worker and dedicated to his profession. He was known in the community as one who was a successful farmer, carpenter and cattleman. He was also a very good carpenter, building his own home in Greers Ferry, Arkansas.

He was well known and liked in the community. Betty was employed with the West Side Public School System in the food service department.

Betty preceded Ebb in death on March 7, 1996. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Alvin Turner Gentry, Marvin Gentry, Melvin Gentry, and Elvis Lee Gentry, and by two sisters, Morene Bittle and Betty Lois Spear.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2006, Elvin Ebb Gentry passed away at his home in Greers Ferry, Arkansas. He was eighty-one years old.

At the time of his death, he was survived by one son, Johnny Gentry and wife, Becky Sowell Gentry, of Greers Ferry; five daughters, Dianna Barnum of Higden, Evelyn Southerland and her husband, James Southerland, of Ida, Arkansas, Reva Nell Gadberry and her husband, Scotty Gadberry of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, Tammy Marie Richey and her husband, Danny Richey of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, and Ebbie Lee and her husband, Terry Lee, all of Greers Ferry, Arkansas; two brothers, Joe Gentry and David Gentry, both of Edgemont, Arkansas; one sister, MerleaneTrammell of Searcy, Arkansas; seventeen grandchildren, Ashley Gentry, Keli Richey Phelps, Justin Lee, Sarah Lee Hunt, Joshua Gentry, Jeremy Gadberry, Reanna Gadberry Smith, Rickey Linn, Paula Linn Walley, John Barnum, Emily Southerland, Leigh Southerland, Daniel Southerland, Lindy Southerland, Cody Richey, Kendall Richey, and Keri Richey Pierce; and ten great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at the Davis Special cemetery in Fair Field Bay, Arkansas, under the direction of Rev. Darvin Carlton.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery in Fairfield Bay by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Cody Richey, Kendall Richey, Joshua Gentry, Justin Lee, Daniel Southerland, and Jeremy Gadberry.

Elmer Lee Gentry (1900-1947)

Elmer Lee Gentry was born in Edgemont, Arkansas, in 1900 to David W. Gentry and Sarah Emma Gentry. David W. Gentry was born in Alabama, in October, 1855. He and Sarah Emma Gentry settled in the Edgemont, Van Buren County, Arkansas, in the late 1800’s. They had several children, one of which was their third born son, Elmer Gentry. Elmer was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County. He and his family lived between Edgemont and Shirley on Highway 16. Elmer owned and operated a farm where he raised cattle, hogs, chickens, corn, hay, cotton, and anything else to help provide a living for him and his family.

Elmer and his wife, Mollie Parker Gentry, were blessed with several children. They were Marvin, Melvin, Elvis, Elvin, Morine, Alvin, Joe, David, Betty and Murlean Gentry.

Elmer and his family were members of the Church of Christ in Edgemont. He was an upright citizen who enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friends.

Elmer Gentry passed away in early September, 1946. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mollie Parker Gentry.

At the time of his death, he was survived by five sons, Marvin Gentry, Elvin Gentry, Alvin Gentry, Billy Joe Gentry and David Gentry, all of Shirley, Arkansas; three daughters, Maurine Gentry, Murlean Gentry and Billy Lois Gentry of the home; four brothers, Elison Gentry, of Texas, Roy Gentry of Wolf Bayou, Arkansas, Elbert Gentry and Claude Gentry of Shirley, Arkansas; and a sister, Mrs. Ruby Hale, of Texas.

Funeral services for Elmer Gentry were held at the Davis Special Cemetery, near Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

John B. Gentry (1878-1951)

John B. Gentry was born near Shiloh, Cleburne County, Arkansas, on December 19, 1878. He was the son of the late George Gentry and Mollie Gentry, one of Shiloh’s earliest pioneers to Shiloh. George came to Shiloh from Kentucky.

John married Miss Cora Riddle in Cleburne County in 1911. Their marriage was blessed with seven children: A son, George, died in infancy and a daughter, Miss Pauline Gentry, passed away on October 28, 1942.

John B. was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He was industrious and frugal. He was known throughout the community as a man of resourcefulness. He provided a comfortable home and a good living for his family. He was a man of noble character who worked hard to instill this in each of his children. Selfishness found no place in John’s heart and he gave generously of his time and efforts to the help of his neighbors.

On Tuesday, October 9, 1951, John B. Gentry passed away at the family home in Shiloh, at the age of seventy-two.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Cora Riddle Gentry of the home; two sons, Wayne Gentry of Heber Springs, and Aubrey Gentry of Quitman, Arkansas; three daughters, Mrs. Margaret Shearer of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Mrs. Dora Hazelwood of Pearson, and Mrs. Ethel Lieblong of Guy, Arkansas; two brothers, Horace Gentry of Quitman and G. A. Gentry of California; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at the Shiloh Cross Roads church on Wednesday afternoon by Elder R. F. Pierce, pastor of the Hopewell Primitive Baptist church. A quartet composed of Alton Bittle, Floyd Pettus, T. L. Turney and Walter Aldridge sang several of the favorite old hymns, and Mr. Pierce offered comforting words of Scripture to the bereaved family and friends.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Terry Wayne Gentry (1954-1993)

Terry Wayne Gentry was born on January 28, 1954, in Heber Springs, Arkansas, to Alvin Turner Gentry and Roberta Yvonne Stark Gentry.

Terry lived in Cleburne County all his life. He graduated from the West Side Public Schools where he participated in sports. Terry was a rancher and an avid hunter and sportsman. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

He was married to Clarabell Gentry. Their marriage was blessed with two sons.

On September 25, 1993, Terry Wayne Gentry died in Edgemont, Arkansas. He was survived by his wife, Clarabell Gentry of the home; two sons, Jason W. Gentry and Gary L. Gentry of the home; and his mother, Roberta Y. Gentry of Greers Ferry, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery, Farifield Bay, Arkansas.

Marvin C. Gentry (1921-1986)

Marvin C. Gentry was born in 1921, at Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas. He was the son of Elmer Gentry and Mollie Parker Gentry of Edgemont. Marvin spent his entire life in Cleburne County. He was a cattle farmer.

Marvin was known throughout Cleburne County. He was a good neighbor and willing to help those in need.

He was a Baptist in faith and a veteran of World War II, having served in the U. S. Army.

On March 30, 1986, Marvin passed away at his home west of Edgemont, Arkansas. He was sixty-five years old. He never married.

At the time of his death, he was survived by four brothers, Elvin Ebb Gentry of Greers Ferry, Billy Joe Gentry of Edgemont, Alvin Turner Gentry and David Gentry of Shirley, Arkansas; three sisters, Mrs. Morine Bittle and Mrs. Merlene Trammel, both of Searcy; and Mrs. Betty Spears of Illinois.

The Rev. Paul Parker officiated Marvin’s last tribute at the Davis Special Cemetery, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

Interment was in the Davis Special Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were Willie Brown, Carthel Pearce, Cecil Murphree, Bill Johnson, Terry Lee and Oney Ware.

W. W. Morgan (1870-1952)

W. W. Morgan was born on November 2, 1870, in South Carolina. He moved to Arkansas with his parents as a child and lived in Edgemont for seventy-two years.

He was educated in an one-room school house in Edgemont.

After growing to adulthood, he married Miss. Neasy B. Gadberry on December 21, 1893. They celebrated their fifty-eight wedding anniversary on December 21, 1951 at their home in Edgemont.

W. W. Morgan was a member of the Christian church, a member of the Eastern Star, a Mason, a master and secretary of the Sam Williams Lodge for several years. In 1951, Mr. Morgan received a fifty year-member citation for being one of the oldest members of the lodge.

Mr. Morgan was perhaps one of the most widely known citizens in Cleburne County. He was very active in the community. He served as postmaster at Edgemont for several years and served on the Edgemont Board of Education for twenty years. H was one of the county’s most respected citizens and a Christian gentleman whose character was impeachable. He was well-read and was interested in current events. He was particularly interested in the welfare of his community and his fellowman. He never hesitated to take a stand on issues which he believed to be clean and wholesome.

On Monday June 28, 1952, W. W. Morgan died unexpectley at his Edgemont home. He was eighty-one years old.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Mrs. Neasy B. Gadberry Morgan of the home; two sons, Dewey W. Morgan of England, Arkansas, and John C. Morgan of Searcy, Arkansas; three daughters. Mrs. Lee Luker of Searcy, Mrs. Pearl Myatt of Heber Springs, and Mrs. Alice Stafford of Edgemont; a sister, Mrs. Celia Rollins of Edgemont; eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Roy Henderson of Augusta, Arkansas, at the North Cross Roads Church. Special music was by a quartet, Bynum Stark T. L. Turney, Oran Beasley and Jackie Pettit.

Interment was North Cross Roads under the direction of the Masonic Lodge of Edgemont and Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs.

Pallbearers were members of the Masonic Order of the Edgemont Lodge.

Neasy B. Gadberry Morgan (1893-1959)

Neasy B. Gadberrry Morgan was born in Eglantine, Van Buren County, Arkansas, on December 21, 1893. She and her family moved to Edgemont where she lived out her life.

She was the widow of W. W. Morgan who was postmaster of Edgemont for many years and joint owner of a large mercantile store in Edgemont with his brother-in-law, William Barnum. The mercantile business flourished for many years when Edgemont was teeming with activities of the lumber and stave industry. She and W. W. Morgan were parents to three daughters and two sons.

Mrs. Morgan was a member of the Church of Christ. She was a charter member of the Edgemont Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and was chaplain of the chapter for many years.

Her gentle and engaging personality endeared her to friends, and her ability to retain her youthful interests and graces as the years advanced were remarkably stimulating to friends.

On Saturday February 7, 1959, Mrs. Neasy B. Gadberry Morgan, widow of W. W. Morgan and one of the oldest citizens of Edgemont community died at her daughter’s home in Edgemont. She was eighty-seven years old.

Mrs. Morgan was preceded in death by her husband, W. W. Morgan, on June 28, 1952, and three sons.

At the time of her death, she was survived by three daughters, Mrs. J. S. Luker of Searcy, Arkansas, Mrs. Alice Stafford and Mrs. Pearl Myatt of Edgemont, two sons, Dewey W. Morgan and John C. Morgan of Edgemont; two sisters, Mrs. I. L. Johnson of Farmersville, Texas, and Mrs. John McEntire of Higden; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Morgan were held at the Olmstead Funeral Home chapel under the directions of Rev. J. R. Newman.

Pallbearers were E. L. Stanfield, Olan Barger, Dr. J. S. Luker, O. B. Morgan, Floyd Stafford and Everett Bradford.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cemetery by Olmstead funeral home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

William F. Rollins (1905-1942)

William Fletcher Rollins was born on April 5, 1905, to Robert H. Rollins and Celia Rollins of Edgemont, Cleburne County, Arkansas. William was a lifelong resident of Edgemont, Arkansas.

He was one of five children born to Robert and Celia Rollins. His siblings were Annis Pauline Rollins, Floyd Rollins, Maris Rollins, and Ruth Rollins.

William was educated in a two-room school house in Edgemont. After reaching adulthood, he was employed with the Missouri and Arkansas North Railroad as a bridge carpenter.

On November 26, 1930, he married Miss Pearl Thompson of Cleburne County. To this marriage union were born five children.

On Saturday morning, November 15, 1942, William Fletcher Rollins, age thirty-seven was fatally injured near Miller when a motor car derailed.

The accident occurred at 8:55 A.M. and he died at the Estelle Hospital at 11:15 A.M.

William, accompanied by other members of the bridge crew, was enroute to work when the motor car ran into a split rail, wrecking the car and pinning William underneath a push car which was attached to the motor car.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his mother, Celia Rollins of Edgemont; his wife, Pearl Thompson Rollins of the home; and his five children. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Leonard Gribble of Heber Springs; and one brother, Floyd Rollins of Edgemont.

Funeral services were held at the family home at Edgemont Sunday afternoon by Rev. G. W. Norman of Heber Springs, assisted by Rev. Weed, pastor of the Edgemont Baptist Church.

Interment was in the Davies Special Cemetery, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Homer Dee Smith (1901-1980)

Homer Dee Smith was born on April 26, 1901, at Shiloh, Cleburne County, Arkansas. He was the son of William P. Smith and Kelly Maude Stark of Shiloh.

Homer was educated in the Edgemont community schools and spent his entire life in Cleburne County.

Homer was a retired farmer and a member of the Church of Christ in Higden, Arkansas. He was active in community events and was known widely throughout Cleburne County.

On Friday, July 11, 1980, Homer Smith went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He died at his home in Edgemont at the age of seventy-nine.

Those surviving Homer were his wife, Ella Mae Smith of the home; four sons, Alfred Smith of Higden, Dewey Smith of Edgemont, Victor Smith of Little Rock, and Bobby Smith of Vilonia; one brother, Ervin Smith of Heber Springs; two sisters, Mrs. Norma Fox of Heber Springs, and Mrs. Prudy Murphy of Kokomo, Indiana; twelve grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Smith were held at the Church of Christ in Higden, Arkansas. Ed Inman officiated at Mr. Smith’s last rites.

Interment was in the Shiloh Cross Roads Cemetery by Olmstead Funeral