In Memoriam: John Welcome Elmore (1850 - 1927)

 

John Welcome Elmore

Born:  June 11, 1850

Died:  May 6, 1927

Buried in Elmore Cemetery

Survivors

Wife--Sallie Little Elmore

Children:

Monnie Victoria Elmore Duncan

John Henry "Booger" Elmore

Charlie Lee Elmore

Carrie Eugene Elmore Sanders

Ora Corinne Elmore Holton

Fannie Elmore Lester

Maggie Lou Elmore

Edgar Elmore

Ila Velma Elmore Eley

Arthur Hobson Elmore

Thomas Mitchell Elmore

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, August 25, 1927, p  16, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-john/206022253/ : accessed September 15, 2026), clip page for Obituary for John W. ELMORE.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103699663/john_welcome-elmore: accessed 15 Sep 2026), memorial page for John Welcome Elmore (11 Jun 1850–8 May 1927), Memorial ID 103699663, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mattie J Elmore Osburn (1852 - 1903)

 

Mattie J Elmore Osburn

Born:  September 13, 1852

Died:  May 3, 1903

She had been a member of Union Ridge Baptist Church joining in early girlhood, later  uniting with the North Fork Church.

Survivors:

Husband-- Lucien Junius Osburn

Daughters:

Minnie Osburn Jennings(married Thomas G Jennings in 1896)

Ester D Osburn(married Thomas L. Thompson in 1903)

Elma Osburn Sanders(married Robert Sanders in 1900)

Maggie Knox Osburn Jeffress(married James Douglas Jeffress in 1910)

Son:

Samuel J Osburn

Sources:  

Baptist and Reflector, June 11, 1903, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mattie-j-elmore-os/205999013/ : accessed September 14, 2026), clip page for Mattie J Elmore Osburn- Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91912382/mattie-osburn: accessed 14 Sep 2026), memorial page for Mattie Elmore Osburn (13 Sep 1852–3 May 1903), Memorial ID 91912382, citing Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: John Wesley Hester(1827-1910)

 

John Wesley Hester

Born:  February 8, 1827

Died:   November 24, 1910

Buried in Nance Cemetery, Bedford Co. TN.

Converted in youth and joined the Enon Baptist Church.

When the division came he went with the Missionary Baptist Church, and since that time was a member of the Union Ridge Baptist Church at Rover.

predeceased by lst wife Mary Neil Freeman Hester,

mother of his children and 3 children--Sallie J Hester, Joseph A. Hester and Joella Hester.

Survived by wife, Emily Jane Wardlow Coleman Shoffner Hester(m. 1886)

Sons:  

Benjamin Hartwell Hester

Alfred Ransom Hester

Daughters:

Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Hester Jarrell

Salome Duggan Hester Elmore

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, December 22, 1910, p  15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-john-w-hester-ob/205956467/ : accessed September 14, 2026), clip page for John W. Hester--obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29049989/john_wesley-hester: accessed 14 Sep 2026), memorial page for John Wesley Hester (8 Feb 1827–24 Nov 1910), Memorial ID 29049989, citing Nance Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Sallie Phillips Gentry (1862- 1891)

 

Sallie Phillips Gentry

Born:  August 31, 1862

Died: November 15, 1891

Daughter of Wm & Amanda Phillips.

Granddaughter of Ivie Phillips

Married Sam Gentry Dec 1 1881

Buried at Simpson Cemetery

Survived by 

Parents Wm L & Amanda Phillips

Husband: Samuel Gentry

Sons:

Raleigh Gentry

Benjamin Gentry

Zona A. Gentry

Ivey Gentry

Sources:  

Baptist and Reflector, January 21, 1892, p  15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-sallie-gentry-obi/205605217/ : accessed September 8, 2026), clip page for Sallie Gentry--Obit.[This announcement was placed in the Baptist and Reflector publication of the Union Ridge Baptist Church Committee--Edna Simpson, Edna Elmore and Alta Reid.]

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78209356/sarah_t-gentry: accessed 8 Sep 2026), memorial page for Sarah T. Phillips Gentry (31 Aug 1862–15 Nov 1891), Memorial ID 78209356, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Jemima Poplin Elmore (1875 - 1954)

 

Jemima Tennessee Poplin Elmore

Born:  August 20, 1875 

Died:   March 23, 1954

Buried:  Simpson Cemetery

Daughter of William and Anna Jackson Poplin

Wife of Granville Elmore(d. 1951)

Survivors

Daughters:

Mrs. T. E. Sims of Akron, OH (Jessye T.)

Mrs. J. W. Parker of Akron, OH (Flora A)

Mrs. Gerald Powers of Unionville (Dorothy M)

Sons:

James R. Elmore of Akron, OH

Hugh G Elmore of Eagleville

Thomas J Elmore of Shelbyville

Sister: 

Mrs. Fred Moore of Unionville

Brothers:

John Lee Poplin of Charlotte, NC

W. A. J. Poplin of Unionville

24 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren

Sources:

Nashville Banner, March 24, 1954, p  2, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-jemima-pop/205473935/ : accessed September 7, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Jemima Poplin Elmore.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195605583/jemima_tennessee-elmore: accessed 7 Sep 2026), memorial page for Jemima Tennessee Poplin Elmore (20 Aug 1875–23 Mar 1954), Memorial ID 195605583, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: James Hugh Elmore ( 1829 -1896)

 

James Hugh Elmore

Born:  April 22, 1829

Died:  January 21, 1896

Buried at Elmore Cemetery

Married:  October 8, 1851 in Williamson Co TN to Nancy Tillman Gault

Brother of David Atha Elmore

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-james-elmore-and-w/205367524/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for James Elmore and Wife--death notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113589134/james_hugh-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for James Hugh Elmore (22 Apr 1829–21 Jan 1896), Memorial ID 113589134, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore (1834 -1900)

 

Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore

Born:  January 6, 1834

Died:  March 22, 1900

Married:  October 8, 1851 in Williamson Co TN to James Hugh Elmore

Parents:  Hugh McCain Gault & Martha A Floyd Gault

Buried at Elmore Cemetery

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-james-elmore-and-w/205367524/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for James Elmore and Wife--death notice.[The death notice doesn't mention her name other than Mrs Elmore and that she is the wife of James Elmore who died in 1896 and she died in 1900]

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111805067/nancy_tillman-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore (6 Jan 1834–21 Mar 1900), Memorial ID 111805067, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Elizabeth E White Elmore (1826-1900)

 

Elizabeth White Elmore

Born:  February 14, 1826

Died:  March 16, 1900

Married David Alta Elmore Oct 15 1851 Williamson Co TN

Buried with husband in Elmore Cemetery(Bedford Co TN) 

7 Children were born to their union.

James William Elmore

Henry N Elmore

Naomie V Elmore Hooper

Martha Elmore Brown

David Elmore

Lou Adelaide Elmore

Alfred Pinkney Elmore

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-david-altha-elmore/205349975/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for David Altha Elmore & wife, Elizabeth E. White Elmore--Death Notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113589811/elizabeth_ellen-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Elizabeth Ellen White Elmore (14 Feb 1826–15 Mar 1900), Find a Grave Memorial ID 113589811, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Sam B Blanton (1924-1958)

 

Sam B. Blanton

Born:  November 9, 1924

Died:  February 10 1958

Parents:  Sam B Blanton and Ruth Elmore Blanton

Graduate of Eagleville High School

Member of Rover Baptist Church

Burial Simpson Cemetery

Employed by Swiss Farms Dairy as a Milkman

Survivors:

Wife:  Mary Sue Wall Blanton

Son:  Marty Blanton(later adopted by step dad Bill S. Bell Sr.)

Brother: James W Blanton of Shelbyville

Sister: Jean Marie Blanton Wall(Mrs. Bill Wall) of Chapel Hill

Sources:

Nashville Banner, February 11, 1958, p 8. col 5; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-sam-b-bla/205274890/ : accessed September 4, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Sam B. Blanton.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18809553/sam_b-blanton: accessed 4 Sep 2026), memorial page for Sam B. Blanton Jr. (9 Nov 1924–10 Feb 1958), Memorial ID 18809553, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Jody & Lesa Baltz (contributor 17485994).

In Memoriam: Salome Duggin Hester Elmore (1867-1933)

Salome Duggin Hester Elmore

Born:  January 8, 1867

Died:  September 29, 1933

Married: October 15, 1889 to William Floyd Elmore

Converted early in life and became a member of Union Ridge Baptist Church.

Predeceased by Husband and two children

Survivors

Daughters:

Mary Elmore Heath

Ruth Elmore Blanton

Wilfred Elmore Harris

Son: 

Paul H Elmore

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, January 11, 1934, p  15, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-salome-hester-elmo/205166267/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for Salome Hester Elmore--Death Notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209326944/salome_duggan-elmore: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Salome Duggan Hester Elmore (8 Jan 1867–29 Sep 1933),  Memorial ID 209326944, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Ruth Elmore Blanton (1893-1942)

Ruth Elmore Blanton

Born: May 4, 1893
Died: Oct 9, 1942
Married: December 25, 1923 to Sam Blanton.

Buried at Simpson Cemetery
3 Children:
Sam Jr.
James and Jean(twins)

Member of Union Ridge Baptist since she was a young girl.

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, February 10, 1944, p 15, col 1, Blanton; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-ruth-elmore-blanto/204991539/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Ruth Elmore Blanton.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Annie Jeffress Shearin (1868-1943)

Mrs. Annie Jeffress Shearin

Born: February 27th 1868
Died: September 28th, 1943 at her home in Rover after a long illness.

Survivors: 
Husband:  E.C. Shearin
Sons--Tom, Jess, and Bill of Rover. 
Daughters--Mrs Alvie Taylor and Mrs Eugene Lamb, of Rover, Mrs Edd Elmore, of Nashville.
She was a member of the Union Ridge Baptist Church since a young lady.
A kind loving wife and mother has gone home to her reward in heaven--Mrs. Elizabeth Ruckett.

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, February 17, 1944, p 17, col 2, Obituary of Annie J Shearin: image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-annie/204966839/ : accessed August 30, 2026), clip page for Obituary for ANNIE JEFFRESS SHEARIN by user rmbeckman

Union Ridge Baptist Church--Bedford Co TN Deeds

Image created using DALL-E3

I discovered a deed on which W C Cook(my 2nd Gr Grpa) was a witness.  It had to do with lands for the Union Ridge Church.  Record loss for the period of 1850ish to the early 1860s makes that era difficult to research, so anytime I find something covering that time period it really helps.  There was an attempt made to record lost deeds in a notebook by the county clerk.  Another great help is a book published on that effort by Helen and Tim Marsh. 

Marsh, Helen C., and Tim R. Marsh. "The Burned Deed Index of Bedford County, Tennessee 1852-1861". Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1999. 

The deed book entry(Deed Book NNN pg 69) on which I found W C Cook as witness is written in very faint ink but it appears that it is an attempt to make sure that the original bargain of 1854 is on record.  I've listed notes below on the dates and persons mentioned.

Thomason & John Jordan  

To 

Deacons of Union Ridge:

Wm Elmore and R A Gantt 

Original Bargained on 7 Oct 1854

Witnessed on 6 Nov 1854 by
William C Cook

D A Elmore 

William Floyd

Signed:

W T Thomason

John Jordan

Noted on 7 Nov 1854 in Notebook #2 pg 32
Recorded the same day in Book VV pg 404-405
Act of 1865 Ch 28
Registered 28 April 1877
Recorded 30 April 1877

Source:  

"Bedford, Tennessee, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-K92B-L : accessed Mar 24, 2024), image 61 of 638; IGN 008567899; citing, Bedford Co. TN Deed Book NNN, p 69, Deed from W T Thomason & John Jordan to Wm Elmore  &  R. A Gantt-- Deacons of Union Ridge Baptist Church part of the Duck River Association