Cottonwood Community Cemetery
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A single, large cottonwood tree stood on the Hondo Creek near a perpetual spring, which the two communities, (North Bank Creek Colony and Mission Valley) used for water. This tree was the inspiration for naming the community cemetery. Located on a rise on the creek, it is, more or less, equidistant from each of the two areas. It was located on land owned by Isaac King, a large landowner whose family had been the largest slave owners in the county.

The cemetery originally was one quarter acre in size, but in 1919 King agreed to increase the area to three acres and deed it to the Colored Cemetery Association, provided the area would be fenced out. The entire community joined together and in one day the men built the fence while the ladies and children provided food and refreshments.

Dated 1886, the earliest existing headstone in the cemetery marks the grave of Caroline Garett, age 65. The cemetery is still in use. Often descendants of the settlements founders, living in far away places, make a last request to be buried in the land of their forefathers. Among the most recent was Redmon Knowles of California, who was buried in 1963.
                                                                                                                              Hondo Anvil Herald
                                                                                                                              June 26, 1986

LOCATION: Located north of Hondo on CR 4401, 1 1/4 miles south of CR 448. (29 22.43N - 099 08.17W)

NOTE: The following tombstone inscriptions were copied word for word, line for line.  Tombstones identifying more than one grave are identified by a hyphen (1-2).  Underlined information is relative to all graves or burials sharing a common tombstone.  FS signifies footstone.  A slash (/) indicates the end of a line.  Information in italics (italics ) represents comments or observations made by the transcriber or are from other sources as noted.

Compiled by the Medina County Tombstone Inscription Project, Jim Menke, Coordinator, in cooperation with the Castro Colonies Heritage Association, Historical Research Committee.  (2004)

No. Name Inscription/Remarks
1 _____, __
Cast concrete headstone, illegible.
2 _____, __
Cast concrete headstone, illegible.
3 JOHNSON, H To memory of / Helena Johnson / Born in Ala. 1836 / Died 1889 / Aged 53 years.
4-5 PIERCE, F

PIERCE, M

Pierce / Frank / MAR. 4, 1853 / APR. 9, 1933

MARY / APR. 27, 1869 / JUNE 5, 1937

6-9
PIERCE, R
PIERCE, J
PIERCE, M
PIERCE, L
INFANTS/
Robert Homer Pierce /
Joseph Pierce /
Maude Ester Pierce
Lillie Pierce
10-11 PIERCE, I

WESSIE, ___

Pierce / Isaac L. / MAY 3, 1893 / JULY 15, 1951

WESSIE / NOV 4, 1894 / MAR 19, 1974

12 ______, __
Homemade cast concrete headstone, illegible
13 ______, __
Homemade cast concrete headstone, illegible
14 ______, __
Limestone rock; no visible inscription
15 ______, __
Limestone rock; no visible inscription
16-17 GRANT, S

GRANT, A

GRANT/ Mother / SARAH A / Died / Feb. 28, 1936 / Aged 87 years

Father / Austin / Died / Apr. 15, 1947 / Aged 105 years. / IN LOVING MEMORY

18 KNOWLES, L Louella Grant / Knowles / Feb. 22, 1898 / Nov. 14, 1956
19 KNOWLES, L Lonnie Austin Knowles / PVT US ARMY / WORLD WAR I / MAR. 13, 1893 - JUN. 25, 1977
Military headstone
20 DRAKE, J James / Robert / Drake / TEXAS / S2 / USNR / WORLD WAR II / DECEMBER 25, 1917 / MAY 26, 1952
Military headstone
21-22 DRAKE, I

DRAKE, P

DRAKE / ISAAC LEE / JULY 11, 1877 / MAR. 5, 1943

DRAKE / PEARLIE C. / DEC. 9, 1891 / MAR. 5, 1974

23 DRAKE, R Roy J. Drake / MAY 1, 1923 / NOV. 3, 1987
24 BATTEAU, I Loving Mother / IMA JEWEL BATTEAU / "JUDY" / DEC. 11, 1931 / NOV. 10, 1996 / IN LOVING MEMORY
25 _______, __
Limestone rock. Illegible inscription. Temporary metal marker; no legible inscription. At base of cedar tree.
26 _______, __
Cast cement obelisk. No visible inscription.
27 ROBERTS, E ELMO / ROBERTS / TEXAS / Cook 6th Engrs. / 3 DIV / OCTOBER 19, 1931.
Military headstone
28 WHITE, W W M WHITE
Methodist Medallion - United Methodist minister. Cast concrete headstone.
29 ________, ____
Temporary metal marker; illegible.
30 HOLDEN, J J. H. HOLDEN
Methodist Medallion - United Methodist minister. Cast concrete headstone.
31 MCCOY, N NANCY HOLDEN MCCOY / OUR NANCY
Granite headstone.
32 HOLDEN, A ADOLPHUS HOLDEN / TEXAS / 808 PIONEER INF / WORLD WAR I / January 11, 1891 / February 23, 1951.
Methodist Medallion. White marble military headstone.
33-34 GRANT, A
 

GRANT, M

GRANT / ALEX N. SR. / AUG. 21, 1893 / NOV. 23, 1985
Military marker. FS - ALEX N. GRANT / PVT. US ARMY / WORLD WAR I /1890 - 1985

MAYBELL / MAR. 9, 1900 / NOV. 22, 1989 / MARRIED AUG. 19, 1921

35 GRANT, R ROSA LEE GRANT / SHANNON / SEPT. 27, 1891 / JAN. 1, 1990
36-37 GRANT, W

GRANT, C

GRANT / WILLIAM / DEC. 4, 1875 / JUNE 30, 1966

CORA S / APRIL 28, 1884 / NOV. 23, 1978 / MARRIED MAY 2, 1902

38 WASHINGTON, M MARY / WASHINGTON / SEPT 8 / 1880 / AUG 14, / 1968 / THY WILL BE DONE
39 REAVES, H
Headstone illegible. Temporary metal marker reads: HATTIE LEE / REAVES / 1894 - 1964
40 REAVES, M MORRIS / REAVES / TEXAS / PVT / CML WARFARE SV / WORLD WAR II / MAY 6, 1924 / JUNE 16, 1945
Military headstone
41 REAVES, P AT REST / PEARL M REAVES / AUG. 28, 1900 / MAY 26, 1992
42 REEVES, W
Headstone illegible. Temporary metal marker reads: WILLIE REEVES SR 1880 - 1949
43 REEVES, R
Tombstone illegible. Temporary metal marker reads: REBECCA REEVES / DEC. 5, 1929. Grave enclosed in ornamental iron fence
44 BLACKSHEAR, A
Temporary metal marker reads: Ann Blackshear / 1953 - 2000. Guinn Funeral Home
45 HOLDEN, A A T HOLDEN / PVT US ARMY / WORLD WAR I / 1895 - 1981
Flat military granite marker
46 HOLDEN, E MOTHER / ELLA M. / HOLDEN / NOV. 7, 1888 / JULY 4, 1983
47 FORD, N NOVELLA J. / FORD / Oct. 10, 1907 / Oct. 30, 1986
48-49 HOLDEN, A
 

HOLDEN, J

HOLDEN / REV. AARON C. / 1890 - 1967
Methodist Medallion

JOSEPHINE / 1889 - 1982 / THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

50-51 HOLDEN, F
 

HOLDEN, N

FRANK HOLDEN / US ARMY / WORLD WAR I / JAN 6, 1897 JAN 19, 1990
Temporary metal marker reads: FRANK HOLDEN / 1897 - 1990

NORA F. / 1903 1989

52-53 FORD, G

FORD, F
 

FORD / GEORGE W. / AUG. 18, 1867 / FEB. 12, 1961

FLORA / FEB. 12, 1880 / JUNE 3, 1953
Large double granite headstone with granite vase in arch.

54 WATSON, L LENORA FORD / WATSON / JULY 12, 1893 / AUG. 19, 1951
Granite headstone with carved dove.
55 FORD, L LEVIS / FORD / SEPT 25, 1900 / AUG. 3, 1973
Granite headstone with carved dove.
56 SUTHERLAND, W WALTER SUTHERLAND / TEXAS / PVT. G CO 165 DEPOT BRIG / WORLD WAR I / JAN 30, 1894 JAN 27, 1965
Military marker
57 SUTHERLAND, E ENOLA SUTHERLAND / JULY 30, 1896 / DEC. 21, 1990 / IN LOVING MEMORY
58 _______, __
Rock marker with no markings. Large tree in front and yucca.
59 ELAM, J
Rock marker with no markings. Temporary metal marker that reads: JOSEPHINE ELAM / JAN. 8, 1908 / AUG. 31, 1972
60-61 JOHNSON, J

JOHNSON, E
 

JOHNSON / JOSEPH C / 1905 - 1976

ESSIE M / 1913 - _____ / TOGETHER FOREVER
Flower design on headstone.

62 KNOWLES, J JILES KNOWLES / PVT US ARMY / WORLD WAR I / 1894 1984.
Military marker with Christian cross above name.
63 KNOWLES, R REDMON KNOWLES / APR. 17, 1891 / FEB. 9, 1983 / IN LOVING MEMORY
Flower design in each corner of headstone.
64 KNOWLES, M MOTHER / MARY KNOWLES / 1863 - 1955
65 HARTMAN, J AT REST
Temporary metal marker reads: JOHN HARTMAN / 1888 - 1956. Small headstone behind large headstone; FS - ASLEEP
66 ________, ___
Temporary metal marker; not legible.
67 FULLER, S STERLING FULLER / BORN AUG. 12, 1877 / DIED JAN. 31, 1941
Headstone flat on ground.
68 ________, ___
Broken headstone, top part laying on ground. Bottom part still in ground. No visible inscription.
69 FULLER, __
Temporary metal marker with name FULLER.
70 LIGON, L
Cast concrete headstone with words painted or black marker: LENM (?M) Ligon / 2-1-29
. Temporary metal marker with no legible inscription.
71 FULLER, G GEORGE / FULLER / TEXAS / STM3 / US NAVY / WORLD WAR II / MAY 21, 1926 / SEPTEMBER 28, 1946
Military marker, Christian cross at top.
72 GRANT, N NETTIE VIOLA / GRANT / 1892 - 1965
Temporary metal marker.
73 GRANT, O OSBURNE LEE / GRANT / 1925 1981
Temporary metal marker
74 GRANT, C CLIFTON GRANT / TEXAS / TEC5 3905 QM TRUCK CO / WORLD WAR II / AUG 18, 1923 MARCH 18, 1956
Military marker
75 MONROE, L LESSIE GRANT / MONROE / 1914 1955
Temporary metal marker
76 GRANT, R ROBERT GRANT
Temporary metal marker
77 LIGON, F FRANKIE MAE LIGON / JAN. 2, 1907 - JAN 3, 1958
Center of headstone has carved praying hands. Large white rocks on top of grave.
78 FULLMORE, C CARRIE FULLMORE / NOV. 1, 1902 / Dec. 7, 1968 / IN LOVING MEMORY.
Flower vase to right of headstone.
79 HUFF, L LOTTIE BELL HUFF / FEB. 2, 1905 / OCT. 15, 1986
80 LIGON, R RUFUS LIGON / MAY 6, 1903 / SEPT. 24, 1992
81-83 LIGON, L

LIGON, W

LIGON, E

LIGON / LORENE / Oct. 26, 1934 / May 24, 1986

WILMER JACK / SEPT. 9, 1906 / JAN. 1, 1991

EVELYN / SEPT. 27, 1915 / DEC. 25, 1965

84 THOMPSON, J JESSE N. / THOMPSON / NOV. 27, 1908 / JUNE 4, 1979 / IN GOD'S CARE
85 KNOWLES, C CLARA B. ROBERTS / KNOWLES / 1900 1985
Temporary metal marker
86 MITCHELL, E ELIZA MITCHELL / NOV. 30, 1903 / JULY 4, 1966 / REST IN PEACE
Concrete curbing around grave. Standing granite headstone with bottom broken. Flower on corners.
87 KNOWLES, P PATSY GALE KNOWLES / 1956 - 1956
Temporary metal marker.
88 SPEARS, G GERALDINE / KNOWLES SPEARS / 1937 1957
Temporary metal marker.
89 KNOWLES, G GARY LEON KNOWLES / PVT US ARMY / 1947 1980
Bronze military marker. Christian cross at top. Grave outlined with glazed slanted white bricks.
90 KNOWLES, A AUDREY J. KNOWLES / DEC. 11, 1949 - AUG. 3, 1988
Cast cement cross, red on base. LOVE / AUDREY JEAN KNOWLES. On base LOVE - FOR - EVER. On foot - red cement rectangle with inscription: AUDREY J. KNOWLES / DEC. 11, 1949 - AUG 3, 1988. Temporary metal marker AUDREY JEAN / KNOWLES / 1949 1988
91 _______, __
Temporary metal marker. No legible inscription.
92 KNOWLES, G BELOVED / MR. DAD / GRANVIL / KNOWLES / 1928 - 1993
Grave outlines with glazed slanted white bricks. White cast concrete cross approximately 2 feet high with square base separate from cross. Temporary
93 KNOWLES, G GLADYS L. / KNOWLES / 1970 1999
Temporary metal marker
94 TAYLOR, M MARY ELIZABETH TAYLOR / 1962 1964
Temporary metal marker
95 TAYLOR, J JOHNNY M TAYLOR / 1940 1966
Temporary metal marker
96 BIRDLE, J JOSEPHINE / BIRDLE / 1904 1978
Temporary metal marker
97 BIRDLE, A ALFRED / BIRDLE / 1901 1966
Temporary metal marker
98 OWENS, M MAMIE SUE / OWENS / 1902 1980
Temporary metal marker
99 HENDERSON, R RAMONA / HENDERSON / 1928 1989
Temporary metal marker
100 GRANT, A ANDREW A GRANT / TEXAS / CPL ARMY AIR FORCE / WORLD WAR II / WAR II / JAN. 21, 1918 OCT 22, 1967
Military marker with Christian cross near top.
101 GRANT, B BERNICE GRANT / 1924 1990
Temporary metal marker
102 GRANT, M MILLARD EARL GRANT / TEXAS / PVT US ARMY / VIETNAM / JULY 22, 1944 DEC 31, 1971
Military marker with Christian cross at top.
103 ROBERTS, H HERBERT H / ROBERTS / 1896 1963
Temporary metal marker
104 _______, ___
No marker, artificial flowers in ground, not faded.
105 HARRIS, E EUNICE K. HARRIS / JAN. 10, 1913 / JULY 11, 2001
Flat granite headstone in the form of open book with flowers center bottom.
106 KNOWLES, G MOTHER / GRACE L. / KNOWLES / MAR. 9, 1893 / MAR. 27, 1972 / "REMEMBER ME" / IN LOVING MEMORY
107 THOMAS, J JAMES G. THOMAS / TEXAS / PVT US ARMY / WORLD WAR I / JUNE 19, 1896 JAN 22, 1966
Military marker with Christian cross near top.
108 STOKES, A ANDRA E / STOKES / 1943 1995
Temporary metal marker
109 GRANE, C CARL C GRANE / US NAVY / JUL 30 1955 NOV 2, 1989
Flat military marker with Christian cross near top. Temporary metal marker reads: CARL C GRANE / 1955 1989
110 GRANT, L LAWRENCE "IKE" GRANT / NOV. 27, 1900 / JULY 30, 1985
Flat granite marker
111 GRANT, U ULYSSES GRANT / SEPT. 4, 1906 / FEB. 8, 1953
Flat granite marker
112 ______, __
Standing stone; no legible inscription
113-114 TAYLOR, F

TAYLOR, W

TAYLOR / FLORENCE EVELYN / 1899 - 1983

WILLIAM M. / 1898 - 1972

115 HICKS, E ELMA GRAND HICKS / JAN. 15, 1880 / MAR. 13, 1954
116 BRADLEY, M MARTIN BRADLEY JR. / JAN. 6, 1888 / NOV. 12, 1954
117 ACKINS, R
Limestone marker - no legible writing. Temporary metal marker states: Ackins Rolliebr / 1902 - 1959. Horger Funeral Home
118 SORREL, G GATHUE SORREL / BORN 7-2-1905 / DIED 9-10-1980
119 SORRELL, S SHADRICK SORRELL / BORN MAR. 16, 1903 / DIED APRIL 29, 1965
120 SORRELL, T TRAVIS SORRELL / 1938 - 1997
Temporary metal marker. Guinn Funeral Home
121 SORRELL, G GLORIA B. SORRELL / BORN OCT. 16, 1916 / DIED JAN. 24, ____
Temporary metal marker.

* * * * * * * * * *

According to the Guinn Funeral Home records, the following persons were buried at the Cottonwood Cemetery, but their graves are unmarked.
  ANDERSON, J Jesse James
Died: 24 Mar 1946; Age 64
  ANDERSON, S Sarah
Died: 5 Apr 1969; Age 67
  BENNEIT, A Art
Died: 1930; Age 81
  BENNEIT, C Canzady
Died: 19 Dec 1918
  BENNEIT, J Jane
Died: 1886
  BENNEIT, W William
Died: 28 Dec 1935; Age 41
  BRACKINS, M Monroe
Died: 7 Dec 1942; Age 90
  BRACKINS, R Rollie
Died: 28 May 1959; Age 57
  BRADLEY, M Martin
Died: 31 Jan 1921
  CLAY, N Narcise
Died: 2 July 1916; Age 76
  CLOYD, J Jim
Died: 13 Sept 1930; Age 53
  DRAKE, E Ella J.
Died: 27 Mar 1914
  ELAM, G George
Died: 19 June 1942; Age 62
  ELAM, J Joe
Died: 18 Apr 1933; Age 45
  ELAM, J Josephine Christine
Died: 31 Aug 1972; Age 64
  FIELDS, R Robert
Died: 26 Sept 1929; Age 57
  FLEMING, A Almeda
Died: 29 Apr 1969; Age 65
  FLEMING, F Fred
Died: Jan 1973
  FORD, D Daisy Marie
Died: 16 July 1938; Age 7
  FRANKLIN, C Coleman
Died: 29 Apr 1974; Age 86
  FULLER, A Annie
Died 5 Sept 1921
  FULLER, A Annie E.
Died: 12 Mar 1908
  FULLER, D Daniel Edward
Died: 25 July 1952; Age 70
  FULLER, F Fred L.
Died: 5 Apr 1925
  FULLER, H Helen
Died: 13 July 1978; Age 73
  FULLER, S Sallie Ann
Died: 18 July 1941; Age 62
  FULLER, W Wm. W.
Died: 21 May 1926
  FULLMORE, E Ernest W.
Died: 29 Apr 1951; Age 70
  FULLMORE, F Fred B.
Died: Jan 1973
  GARRETT, A Annie
Died: 1886; Age 8
  GARRETT, H Henry
Died: 1938; Age 67
  GARRETT, H Hugh
Died: 17 Nov 1953; Age 40
  GARRETT, I Ida
Died: 1922; Age 24
  GARRETT, N Nancy
Died: 1917; Age 47
  GILMORE, H Hattie
Died: 1 Sept 1949; Age 66
  GRANT, E Edna
Died: 1 June 1938; Age 49
  GRANT, G Granville
Died: 2 Jan 1924
  GRANT, L Lilly
Died: 30 May 1916
  GRANT, M Millard Earl
Died: 31 Dec 1971; Age 27
  GRANT, M Milton Chester
Died: 14 Aug 1922
  GRANT, O Oliver
Died: 1918
  GRANT, S Sophronia
Died: 25 Apr 1929; Age 70
  HARDEMAN, J Jim
Died: 6 Dec 1948; Age 68
  HARDEMAN, J John
Died: 27 Jan 1950; Age 75
  HARRIS, J Jim
Died: 20 Aug 1927; Age 43
  HENDERSON, R Ramona
Died: 8 Sept 1989; Age 61
  HODGE, T Titus B.
Died: 11 Nov 1922
  HOLDEN, J Janelta
Died: 2 July 1939; Age 80
  HOLDEN, R Rachel Darilla
Died: 12 Sept 1921
  HOLDEN, R Robert
Died: 5 Feb 1959; Age 58
  JOHNSON, J Joseph
Died: 27 Oct 1907
  JOHNSON, S Sarah Coleman
Died: 23 Nov 1914
  KNOWLES, G Gary Leon
Died: 26 Dec 1980; Age 33
  KNOWLES, H Howard
Died: 26 Dec 1991
  KNOWLES, W Willie H.
Died: 9 May 1981; Age 91
  LA BRUCE, C Cicily
Died: 18 Jan 1909
  LIGON, B Baby boy
Died: 12 Sept 1946: Age 0
  LIGON, L Lena
Died: 1929
  LIGON, R Rufus
Died: 24 Sept 1902; Age 81
  MASON, C Cora
Died: 25 Feb 1975; Age 80
  MATHEWS, E Ed.
Died: 15 Aug 1947; Age 69
  MCCOY, J Joe Ralph
Died: 10 Aug 1957; Age 77
  MINES
Died: 11 Oct 1953; Age 0
  MONTGOMERY, P Priscilla
Died: 21 Mar 1922
  NATHANIEL, B Ben
Died: 15 Aug 1947; Age 72
  PIERCE, W Wessie
Died: 19 Mar 1974; Age 76
  PORTER, J James
Died: 3 Dec 1905
  ROBINSON, J Jack
Died: 1925; Age 77
  SHANNON, R Rosa Lee
Died: 2 Jan 1990; Age 98
  SHULER, L Leonara
Died: 8 July 1945; Age 62
  SHULER, T Taylor
Died: 5 Dec 1947: Age 65
  SORRELL, L Lloyd
Died: 30 Sept 1972; Age 77
  SORRELL, N Nathlie
Died: 10 Sept 1980: Age 80
  SORRELL, R Ruby
Died: 24 Feb. 1968: Age 55
  SORRELL, W Will
Died 25 July 1940; Age 69
  SPENCER, N Nezzie
Died: 23 Jan 1949; Age 65
  STEWART, B Betsy
Died: 11 July 1911; Age 85
  TAYLOR, C Cornelia
Died: 29 Oct 1918
  TAYLOR, I Inez Spencer
Died: 26 July 1931; Age 21
  TAYLOR, L Louis
Died: 30 Dec 1905
  THOMAS, A Aurelia
Died: 1978
  THOMAS, E Ellen Pierce
Died: 1 Mar 1940; Age 84
  THOMAS, E Evan
Died: 5 Jan 1951; Age 62
  THOMAS, G Gatewood
Died: 17 Mar 1936; Age 43
  THOMAS, O Obedience
Died: 7 Feb 1958; Age 64
  THOMAS, W William "Billie" Jr.
Died: 3 June 1946; Age 68
  THOMAS, W William Sr.
Died: 26 June 1939; Age 89
  THOMPSON, J Jesse N.
Died: 6 Jan 1979; Age 70
  TOWNSEND, M Maggie
Died: 20 Aug 1930; Age 43
  WADE, R Robert James
Died: 7 Aug 1952; Age 6
  WHITE, S Silvia
Died: 1 Mar 1918
  WILLIAMS, A Amy
Died: 20 Dec 1925; Age 46
  WILLIAMS, C Charles L.
Died: 10 Feb 1921
  WILLIAMS, G George
Died: 23 June 1941; Age 70

TXGenWeb, Medina County - Cottonwood Community Cemetery (MCTIP) updated on 11/07/2013

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