This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the October 11, 2012 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

            Well, we believe the dedication ceremony held on Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2012 at the Charles Minix Cemetery on Oakley Creek will be very pleasantly remembered by all attending.  With all the pictures taken on this occasion it will also be enjoyed by those viewing them in our albums and publications. 

            Due to rain we didn’t get to have the planned ceremony for unveiling and dedicating the memorial markers for Reuben and Elizabeth Marshall and for Revolutionary War soldier Thomas Watkins on the Labor Day weekend following the Marshall Founders Day celebration.  At the regular meeting of the Magoffin County Historical Society that month, the group decided to set September 30^th for the ceremony.

            The big day of the dedication finally came and what a beautiful fall day we had for this activity!  Some of us (Bob and Betty Whittaker of SC, Bill and Elva Marshall of OH, Dorothy Wireman, Connie Wireman and Ole Todd) met at the Magoffin County Historical Society and made the trip up to the Oakley Creek Cemetery.  There we were joined by Jim Joseph, Jack and Lori Sizemore, Henry Clay Sizemore, Theda Faye Watkins, A. B. Conley, Rodney R. Perkins, Nathan Perkins, Frank Watkins, John Walter Watkins, Sherry Marshall Risner, Harold Marshall, Whitney Risner Love, Bryleigh Alaina Love, Randall Risner, Isaac Risner, Kay Howard, Charlotte Watkins Gillum, Katie Clevenger, Julia Collinsworth, William Collinsworth and Hannah Prater.

            We had worked on a program of events for this gathering so I welcomed all those attending, and we began the dedication of the Marshall marker which had been purchased for the occasion by the Magoffin County Historical Society.  A. B. Conley was there representing the Magoffin County Muzzleloaders and he gave the opening invocation.  Lori Sizemore gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem after which Bill and Elva Marshall led the group in saying the Pledge to the Flag.  As Margie Marshall Manns couldn’t attend because of illness, Dorothy Wireman unveiled the marker then Harold Marshall, Sherry Marshall Risner, Whitney Risner Love and baby Bryleigh Alaina Love representing four generations of the Marshall family, placed the wreath and flags at the marker site.

            Henry Clay Sizemore and Jack Sizemore read the marker inscriptions to the group followed by A. B. Conley who gave a prayer of blessing for the monument.

            We moved right into the marker dedication for Thomas Watkins, a project long wished for by Charlotte Gillum.  She and Bob Whittaker had worked on securing the marker for several months.  We especially appreciate the help of Paul Burchell in helping to get the names of Thomas Watkins’ children engraved on the back of the marker.

            John W. Watkins, son of Willie and Theda Watkins, gave the invocation for the marker. Afterwards Charlotte Gillum spoke of the life of Thomas Watkins and told of her appreciation of all those who helped obtain the marker.  She read various sections of Thomas Watkins’ application for a Revolutionary War pension, particularly the names of those who testified as to his character and their belief of his service as a soldier.  These included Charles Minix, Michael Risner, Capt. John Montgomery, Rev. John Morris and Cudberth Stone among several others.  Early minister, Rev. Ezekiel Stone and Reuben Marshall (whose marker we also dedicated) gave affidavits for Thomas Watkins’ application. 

            Several descendants took part in this dedication ceremony, including Katie Clevenger and her son William Collinsworth who placed the flags.  Youngsters Julia Collinsworth and friend Hannah Prater placed the wreath.  Nathan Perkins did a wonderful job of reading the marker inscription.

            John W. Watkins gave a prayer of blessing of the monument and then we were treated again to the angelic voice of Lori Sizemore as she sang two songs for us.  One was Falling Leaves written by Grandpa Jones which was so appropriate for the occasion.  Especially touching were the last two lines: “When you leave this earth for a better home someday, the only thing you’ll take is what you gave away.”  What a wonderful lesson for us all!

            Lori’s other song for us was Legend of the Rebel Soldier which was written by Charlie Moore.  This song tells of a Rebel soldier who, as a prisoner of war in a northern state, wished for his soul to pass through the southland. 

Lori’s music and the participation of the young children gave all of us attending these ceremonies a wonderful feeling. 

            A great many pictures were made following the ceremony attesting to the respect and admiration everyone has for their illustrious ancestors, Thomas Watkins and Reuben Marshall.