Old Blankenship Cemetery
Shell Knob
Barry County, Missouri Shell Knob Township
NE of Shell Knob S2, T22N
Visit Willis Cemetery Files Here
Transcribed from existing headstones January 2004 by: Laura Rodrock
Cemetery is on private property owned by Laura Rodrock and is only accessible by walking.
To visit the cemetery you MUST stop by Laura's house for permission and exact directions.
On the 1909 plat map the same land was owned by William Blankenship. His obituary below states he is buried at Blankenship cemetery and the Shell Knob locals call it Old Blankenship as well as Willis.
Directions: This cemetery is 1/4 acre and only contains three legible stones and about 75-100 that are marked with rocks or so weathered they appear to have never been carved. A few stones are almost illegible, but are fancy with praying hands and a dove. Several graves are surrounded with stacks of rock to make an enclosure.
NE of Shell Knob, just north of where Y and 39 come together. Take 39 to YY (YY is on the north side of the Central Crossing Bridge. There is a log shopping center at the junction <this is where the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce is located. ) Take YY to FR 2158 (the 1st left hand turn after the Baptist Church) Take FR 2158 about one mile (You will pass the new Senior Citizens Center) to FR 1258 turn left. Go approximately 1/2 mile (you will go over a culvert with a creek running under it) to FR 2200 turn left. Go to the 1st left hand turn. (this is only about 1 tenth of a mile. You cross through the creek and the turn is just on the other side before you go uphill.) Follow this road to Rodrock property. There is an electric gate that will have to be opened before you can continue.