In Memoriam: Maggie Thomason Sanders (1884 - 1911)

 

Margaret Jane "Maggie" Thomason Sanders

Born: January 11, 1884

Died:  July 26, 1911

Buried in the Thomason Cemetery in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Predeceased by mother--Margaret Carolina Weaver Thomason

Survivors:

Husband--Albert Preston Sanders--married November 20, 1901

Children:

George Burnard Sanders

Alta Mae Sanders Jordan

Annie Weaver Sanders Hamilton

Father--James S Thomason

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, October 5, 1911, p 15, col 1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-maggie-thomason-sa/207920365/ : accessed October 9, 2026), clip page for Maggie Thomason Sanders obituary.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29092604/margaret_jane-sanders: accessed 9 Oct 2026), memorial page for Margaret Jane “Maggie” Thomason Sanders (11 Jan 1888–26 Jul 1911), .Memorial ID 29092604, citing Thomason Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Margaret Caroline Weaver Thomason (1840 - 1904)

 

Margaret Caroline Weaver Thomason

Born:  October 16, 1840

Died:   November 28, 1904

Buried at Thomason Cemetery

Saved in 1854 and united with Union Ridge Baptist

Married January 12, 1859 to J.S. Thomason

Predeceased by 4 children

Avarilla Thomason Faris(d. before 1896)

the other three are likely 

Benjamin T Thomason

William B Thomason

Nancy E Thomason Garrett

Survivors

Husband--James S Thomason

4 children

I believe that her surviving children were the 4 below based on finding death records and census records for them after her death.

James Montgomery Thomason(d. 1940)

Mary Thomason Yarbrough(d. 1947)

George W Thomason(d. 1912)

Maggie Thomason Sanders(d. 1911)

20 Grandchildren

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, March 16, 1905, p  14; col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-margaret-caroline/206307383/ : accessed September 19, 2026), clip page for Margaret Caroline Weaver Thomason.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29092598/margaret_carolina-thomason: accessed 19 Sep 2026), memorial page for Mrs Margaret Carolina Weaver Thomason (16 Oct 1840–28 Nov 1904), Memorial ID 29092598, citing Thomason Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Adam Turner Thomason (1832-1902)

 

Adam Turner Thomason

Born:  February 22, 1832

Died:  February 22, 1902

Married Winnie Jane Weaver 

Confederate Widows Pension Winnie J Thomason 

(Log in to FamilySearch to view. Registration is free)

His death notice printed in the Baptist and Reflector contains an error in his name showing it as A. F. Thomason instead of A. T. Thomason. 

Predeceased by son Richard S. Thomason (d. 1897)

Survivors
Wife--Winnie J Weaver Thomason

Daughter:
Lucy Elnora Thomason Smith
Emma Adora Thomason Osteen
Maggie May Thomason Floyd Henley
Agnes Avarilla Thomason Philpott
Anna Catherine Thomason Cox
Eula Olivia Thomason Cox

Son:
Montgomery Weaver Thomason

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, April 24, 1902, p 15, col 2 & 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-a-f-thomason-ob/206206053/ : accessed September 18, 2026), clip page for A. F. Thomason--obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29092607/adam_turner-thomason: accessed 18 Sep 2026), memorial page for Adam Turner Thomason (22 Feb 1832–22 Feb 1902),Memorial ID 29092607, citing Thomason Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Harvey Clayton Yarbrough (1863 - 1928)

 

Harvey Clayton "Tom" Yarbrough

Born:  February 2, 1863

Died:  July 16, 1928

Funeral was July 18, 1928

Married to Mary Thomason Yarbrough

Buried at Simpson Cemetery as are all of Tom and Mary's children with the exception of Edna who is buried next to her husband, Robert G Hamilton at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville.

Survivors:

Wife--Mary Thomason Yarbrough

Daughters:  

Callie Yarbrough

Edna Yarbrough

Elizabeth Yarbrough

Sons:

William P. Yarbrough of Nashville, Tenn.

Cecil Yarbrough of Nashville, Tenn.

Benjamin T. Yarbrough of Chapel Hill, Tenn.

Services conducted by Rev. C. M. Pickler & Rev P. E. Ackley.

Pallbearers:  W. A. Thomason, J.W. Tatum, T. B. Farris, W. G. Garrett, J. L. Ghee and C. C. Patterson

Sources: 

The Tennessean, July 17, 1928, p 5, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-harvey-clayt/206128063/ : accessed September 16, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Harvey Clayton (Tom) YARBROUTH-Monday.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60352622/harvey_clayton-yarbrough: accessed 16 Sep 2026), memorial page for Harvey Clayton “Tom” Yarbrough (2 Feb 1863–16 Jul 1928), Memorial ID 60352622, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Mary Thomason Yarbrough ( 1873 -1947)

 

Mrs. Mary Yarbrough

Born:  March 31, 1873

Died:  August 15, 1947

Buried at Simpson Cemetery

Married to Tom Yarbrough who passed in 1928

Parents:  Mr & Mrs James A Thomason

Survivors

Daughters:  

Miss Callie Yarbrough of Nashville

Miss Elizabeth Yarbrough of Nashville

Mrs. Robert Hamilton of Nashville

Sons:

William Yarbrough of Nashville

Cecil Yarbrough of Nashville

Ben Yarbrough of Rover

Four Grandchildren

Four Great-Grandchildren

Sources:

The Tennessean, August 16, 1947, p 2, col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-mary-yarbrou/205458485/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Mary Yarbrough.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60352689/mary_sylvania-yarbrough: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for Mary Sylvania Thomason Yarbrough (31 Mar 1873–15 Aug 1947), Memorial ID 60352689, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: William Allison "Allie" Thomason (1883 - 1955)

 

William Allison "Allie" Thomason

Born:  September 8, 1888    

Died:  June 2, 1955

Parents:  James Montgomery Thomason & Betty Stegall Thomason

Retired from NC & St. Louis Railway Co.'s mechanical division  31 yrs

Married:   August 27, 1911 to Mary Pressgrove

Survivors:  

Wife, Mary Pressgrove

Son:  J. Milton Thomason of Knoxville

Granddaughter:  Jean Elizabeth Thomason

Sister:  Mrs. John W. Tatum

Sources:

Nashville Banner, June 2, 1955, p  12, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-william-al/205431878/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Obituary for William Allison Thomason.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130955304/william_allison-thomason: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for William Allison Thomason (8 Sep 1883–2 Jun 1955), Memorial ID 130955304, citing Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Martha Elrod Ghee (1850 - 1938)

 

Martha Elrod Ghee

Born:  December 12, 1850

Died:  March 20, 1938

Member of the Union Ridge Baptist Church for 69 years.

Predeceased by Husband and two daughters

John Wesley Ghee (1907)

Tennie Ghee Crowder (1923)

Susan Hettie Ghee Sanders (1919)

Survivors:

Daughters:

Lula Florence Ghee Clinard

Cora Lee Ghee Thomason

Sarah Ghee Phillips

Denna Ellen Ghee Smotherman

Sons:

James Albert Ghee

John William Ghee

Ed Ghee

Thom Robert Ghee

Lonzo Lawson "Sam" Ghee

Clifton S. Ghee

67 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren.

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 23, 1938, p 16. col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-martha-elrod/205406413/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Martha ELrod Ghee--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18809657/martha-ghee: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for Martha Elrod Ghee (12 Dec 1850–20 Mar 1938),  Memorial ID 18809657, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Betty Stegall Thomason (1861-1936)

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Stegall Thomason
Born: December 17, 1861
Died: July 10, 1936
Married: October 29, 1882 to J. M. Thomason
Joined Church in 1884.

Survivors
Husband: James Montgomery Thomason
Son: W.A. Thomason
Daughter: Mrs J.W. Tatum
Sister: Mrs. Sallie Beasley, of Franklin
Brother: Frank Stegall of Hartzel, Mo.
Grandson: Milton Thomason of Nashville.

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, October 1, 1936, p 17, col 1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-bettie-thomas/205043455/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Bettie Thomason--Obit.

Nashville Banner, July 11, 1936, p 2, col 6; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner/77446794/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117793628/mary_elizabeth-thomason: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” Stegall Thomason (7 Jan 1861–10 Jul 1936), Memorial ID 117793628, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Emma Thomason Osteen (1865-1936)

Emma Thomason Osteen

Born: October 12, 1865

Died: March 16, 1936

Buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery
Joined Union Ridge Baptist at age 10.
She was the daughter of Adam Turner Thomason & Winnie Jane Weaver Thomason.
Predeceased by husband, Forrest Osteen(married Sept 9, 1884)
Survived by daughter, Lille Mae Osteen Harris(wife of Leonard Harris)

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, July 2, 1936, p 20, col 2 & 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-emma-thomason/205044346/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Emma Thomason Osteen-Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34870897/emma_adora-osteen: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for Emma Adora Thomason Osteen (1865–1936), Memorial ID 34870897, citing Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mr. James Montgomery Thomason (1861-1940)

Mr. James Montgomery Thomason

Born:  November 20, 1861
Died: April 20, 1940
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church for 69 years.
Served as Deacon, Church treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent.
Buried at Simpson Cemetery

Married to Bettie Stegall Thomason(passed in 1936)
Survivors:
Son: William Allison "Allie" Thomason
Daughter: Mrs. John Tatum(Pauline Thomason) of Nashville

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, July 11, 1940, p 13, col 1, Thomason; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-james/204993153/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Obituary for James Montgomery THOMASON.

The Tennessean, April 21, 1940, p 10, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-james-montgo/205237733/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for James Montgomery THOMASON.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148953128/james_montgomery-thomason: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for James Montgomery Thomason (20 Nov 1861–20 Apr 1940), Memorial ID 148953128, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

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