Earle ~
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(Photo
taken May 2001 - D L Yates)
Transcriptions, 1999 - 2016, by Deborah Lunsford Yates
Introduction
Entries in blue are from visible stones, recorded 1999 – 2002. Additional
information has been added in Italics from obituaries and from earlier
information compiled by Pat Isabel Brown and by Paige and Polly Miller. Many
thanks goes to Pat for her true labor of love in recording this cemetery, as
well as to Paige and Polly Miller in their continuing efforts to update these
records and ensure the preservation of the history of this cemetery.
Since the original transcriptions in 1967, many newer graves have been
added, a number of which have no markers, or only funeral home markers, and
have since become unidentifiable. Many stones have been added to the
older graves; a few of the older stones have since been replaced with newer
stones, some with changed or updated inscriptions.
Sometime between these original transcriptions in 1967 and those in
2000-2002, a number of the stones were vandalized and destroyed, particularly
those along the west side of the highway. Many of the earlier stones have
disappeared completely. I personally, as a child, can remember numerous stones
across the highway from the church that no longer exist.
Gibson Bayou Cemetery was established in 1865 and is the site of Gibson
Bayou Church, which was originally located on the north bank of Gibson
Bayou. Wallace Fulkerson, who is buried in the cemetery, settled on
government land one mile north of Gibson Bayou and helped to build the first
church. This church was constructed of
logs. The original church was destroyed
by fire in 1886. A frame building
replaced it but was later blown away by a storm. The third and present building was erected in
1898 or 1899. Famed artist, Carroll Cloar, and his
family, as well as many other Earle families, were members of this church at
one time. Effort is currently being made to place this landmark on the National
Register of Historic Places.
During the mid 1960's, local residents, Melvin Watson and Allison
Lunsford, along with their sons, Jonathan Watson and Danny Lunsford, conducted
the initial cleanup of the cemetery, clearing away many years of
overgrowth. Effort was made to erect a
fence around the cemetery to prevent tractors and agricultural equipment from
destroying the edges of the cemetery.
While attempting to dig postholes, it was found that each attempt to dig
the holes resulted in unearthing gravesites.
These graves were shallow and were even found in the ditches surrounding
the cemetery. The effort to erect a
fence was abandoned. After the initial
cleanup, Mr. Clifford Chism began to care for the
cemetery on a regular basis.
It is believed that many graves lie beneath the highway that was built
through the cemetery, and into the gullies on the south side of the cemetery,
and to the east side of the cemetery across the highway. However, there is no
proof to substantiate this, and Melvin Watson (now deceased) said that he
remembered as a young boy, the original gravel road went through the cemetery,
which was located where Hwy 149 now lies.
The church itself has been the victim of two separate accidents in
which vehicles have left the highway and collided with the building. The structure has shifted from its
foundation, causing moisture damage, and is in immediate need of repairs in
order to slow deterioration. Effort is
currently being made to raise funds in order to finance these repairs. A separate fund has been set aside to provide
for these repairs. If you would be
interested in contributing towards the maintenance of the cemetery, donations
can be made to:
This cemetery remains active. A
sign has been erected on the north side of the church, naming the site as a
Historical Landmark. Relatives of people
who are buried here, and those who do not, continue to maintain this cemetery
through voluntary donations. Several
years ago, a fund was established to provide maintenance of
A Gibson Bayou "Fun Day" is held annually, on the third Saturday
in September. A number of activities are included; silent auction, bake sale,
live music, Barbecue, raffles, activities for the children, and lots of fun and
laughter. It's a great way to spend a day, visiting the cemetery, renewing old
friendships and creating new ones. Mark your calendars, bring your lawn chair
and camera, and plan to spend the day with us, whether you have loved ones
buried in the cemetery, or just want to see old friends. All donations go to a
great cause.
Gibson Bayou Funds
800 Highway 184
Phone: (870) 400-7400
If you would like further information, you can also contact Jim Bond, at the number above, who
serves as Secretary of the Gibson Bayou Fund.
Gibson Bayou Cemetery is located three
miles north of Earle
on
Note:
In 2004, funds had been raised by the
If you have knowledge of others buried in this cemetery, without
markers, contact me and I will add
the names to this list. You can also contact Pat Isabel Brown.
The recording of this cemetery is an ongoing project. I pass by this cemetery frequently and will
continue to add the new graves as I notice them.
A very special THANK YOU goes to Mr. Jim Smothers and to Thompson
Wilson Funeral in
The service through Thompson Wilson Funeral Home is no longer
available. If you are interested in purchasing a reasonably priced marker, I
recommend Stone-Art Monument Co. at 5305 Apt. Drive in Jonesboro, AR. Mr. Allen
Cowan is the contact and can reached at (870) 680-7183 or (870) 935-4831.
Link to Gibson Bayou Cemetery listing on Find-A-Grave
The following was taken from the
"Earle Epic"
compiled by Jane Speed and committee
members, 1981
One of the oldest historical spots in
The following from “A History of
GIBSON BAYOU
Methodists who
had been attending the
CLICK HERE TO GO TO TRANSCRIPTIONS PAGE
The earliest date found on a visible stone
appears to be that of Susie Cloar, wife of J. F. Cloar, who died
Note: April 2002, a broken fragment was found across the highway,
opposite the church, with the date of ??? 26, 1885. Unknown if this is birth or death year, but
possibly the second oldest stone.
Gibson Bayou Unmarked Grave
Locations
Gibson Bayou Combined Research
Gibson Bayou Newspaper Articles
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© Deborah Lunsford Yates,
2000 - 2016
Last Updated Monday,
April 18, 2016