Pencil Bluff Cemetery, Montgomery County, Arkansas

This well maintained cemetery is located in Pencil Bluff directly behind the First Baptist Church on Hwy 270 West. The land was donated by Mary Lou Taylor, a daughter of John and Elsie Dunaway (who owned part of  the land originally), and Byron and Addie Galloway who owned the major part of the land in what is now the Pencil Bluff Cemetery. How much each donated I'm not sure but collectively it was a joint donation.

The first person buried in Pencil Bluff Cemetery was Atlas Hopper sometime in August of 1968. The next person was Carroll C. Ault, d. 19 August 1968, and then, Addie Galloway, who died on 23 September 1968. 

The people buried there are buried with their heads to the west and feet to the east. There is one exception to this rule and that is in row 1 with the following burials: Adolph and Hazel Hopper, O.J. Godbehere, Marie Pierce, Eva Jean Barret all are buried just the opposite of the rest of the burials. The inscriptions on the monuments (for the most part, although there are a few exceptions) are on the east side of the monuments at the person's head. 

Decoration Day is the fourth Sunday in May. Headstones face west towards Oden, allowing visitors at dusk to view beautiful sunsets. In 1986 only 41 burials. 92 buried as of 22 Nov. 2000. All interments are listed. 136 as of Nov. 2010 with photos of the headstones are now online at Find a Grave and will be kept up to date.

Transcribed by Olwyn starting with the closest grave along the cyclone fence to the right of the gate and continuing around the perimeter. The two unmarked graves with blank funeral markers have been identified. Thirteen veterans buried here.  

Wm Dossie Singleton
Feb 29 1904
March 23 1990
His memory is blessed

Bernice C. Scott Key 
Oct 11 1927
Oct 22 1993
In loving memory

Ezekiel Joseph Heinritz
April 13 1993
Oct 15 1993
James 1.17

Nelson (double)
Joann         Feb 2 1949 May 21 1997?9
B_____
Parents of _ _ _ _

Ryan (double)
Elva           1907 - 1976 At Rest
Dale M.     1896 - 1983 PVT U.S. Army WW1

Merchant (double)
John S.         Jan 22 1902 -  Aug 24 1990
Dora D.       Aug 21 1913
In loving memory

Meek (double)
Ned             1893 -1 979
Marjory      1894 - 1989
Seek me now in the gathering earth and the restless song of the seasons

Crowley (double)
R. Hugh     July 14 1948 - May 23 1997
Debra____ ____
"And I shall give them one heart and shall put a new spirit within them."

Relic (double)
Richard     March 9 1925 - May 28 1992
Edna Ruth _____

McConnell
"Cotton" Fred Junior     May 20 1934 - Sept 8 1994 PFC US Army Korea
Rosie Joan ____
Married May 6 1956
Children _ _ _ _

Porter (double)
Lambert J. Porter        June 21 1917 Nov 28 1995
Margaret R. Porter     July 5 1923 Aug 10 1990

Galloway (double)
Addie     1908 - 1968
Byron     1896 - 1986 PVT US Army WW1
The Lord is my Shepherd

Addaline Delsee         Dec 25 1887 Jan 4 1982 Mother Rest in Peace

Sarah Mae Macklen Apr 15 1907 Mar 28 1977 Wife & Mother Rest in Peace

John David Ballentine
"Bill"
Apr 29 1913
Feb 10  1989
In loving memory

Newman B. Bankston
Jan 2 1912
Mar 16 1999
Loved by all

Ann Carek Kulish Mother of Constance Sedlon Oct 9 1890 - Dec 24 1972 Everlasting Peace

Grace Ellis Nicholas Mother of Doris Sedlon Aug 21 1895 -  May 4 1973 Eternal Happiness

Doyle A. Godbehere
Sgt. US Army W.W.II
Feb 1 1917 - Jun 27 1998

Dunaway (double)
Married          Oct 24 1931
Ira Lee           Aug 3 1909 -  Apr 12 1998
Faye Alice     Feb 11 1910 - Mar 18 1989

Robert O. Verville
1st Sgt. US Army W.W.II Korea
Jul 8 1923 - Nov 19 1995
Purple Heart

Carroll C. Ault
Missouri
TEC 4 25 General Hosp. W.W.II
March 28 1916 - Aug 19 1968.

Funeral Home Marker
blank (unmarked grave next to Orville Henry Godbehere is his wife, Mary (?)). 

Orville Henry Godbehere
PTR 2 US Navy W.W.II
July 16 1908 - June 10 1975
To know him was to love him
Husband Father Grandfather

next four in a row

Vernon Fred Christmann
PFC US Marine Corps W.W.II
1915-1982

Gladys E. Christmann
July 28 1916
Nov 26 1994

John M. Wegner
Apr 13 1928
July 7 1991

Charles Lynn
May 6 1933
Mar 22 1990
One of God's finest

Sandstrom  (double)
Married 17 Feb 1941
Geneva Mae     Sept 15 1906 - Feb 28 1987
Russell J. _____

In Memory of 
Jessie A. Lawrence
Feb 2 1943 - Apr 9 1990 (etching of stag)

Lawrence (double)
Mary O.J.     _____
James P.       Oct 28 1913 - Apr 4 1972

Maxey  (double)
Mary Jo ____
Louis F. "Bud" ?1924  = Apr 9 1998
wed Aug 31 1946

Louis Franklin Maxey
TEC 4 US Army W.W.II
Jul 16 1923 - Apr 9 1998

Knoll to right of gate

Barnett  (double)
Harold L.     Oct 18 1906 - Dec 23 1980
Thelma J.     Oct 23 1913 - May 15 1986

Powell  (double)
William C. Powell _____
Virginia N. Powell     March 27 1925 - Aug 1 199?
married 1952

O'Neal  (double)
Argus L.     1911 - 1985
Syble D. ______
wed July 27 1939

Cook  (double)
Together forever
Freda Harold     Nov 7 1917 - Nov 17 1987  TEC 4 US Army W.W.II
Erma Juanita _____-

Johnson  (double)
Paul D.         Mar 26 1908 - Oct 7 1983
Nellie G.      May 28 1910 - June 7 1994

Johnson  (double)
Wm. Wayne ______
Frankie A.     Jan 18 1935-  Sept 17 1994

Funeral Home Marker
blank (unmarked grave - Frank Ferren)

Louie Johnson
Jan 6 1912
Sept 10 1979

Juanita Cox Johnson
July 20 1929
Aug 13 1995

Vincent (double)
Peter D.     Mar 19 1914 - Jan 19 1994
TEC 5 US Army W.W.II
Nelline S.     Dec 29 1915 - Aug 10 1999
The Lord is my shepherd

Sibert (double)
Edward E. 1924-1985 1st Lt. US Air Force W.W.II
Merelee M. 1926 -

Singleton (double)
Ruth     Dec 16 1999 - Sept 20 1977
Arlie ________

Singleton (double)
Hanna          Oct 4 1896 - Apr 2 1978
M.A. Bud     Dec 26 1896 - June 8 1978

Briley (double)
Finos O.     Feb 20 1907 - Dec 6 1984    Col. US Army W.W.II
Freda E.     Jan 8 1911 - Aug 23 1971

Ballard (double)
James Luther     Oct 1 1895 - June 9 1983
Nancy Jane       July 29 1895 - Dec 1 1984

Williams
H.D. Hobe      1903 - 1974
Fern                1907 - 2000

Row 4

May Parker White
Feb 11 1891
Jan 8 1980

Born (double)
Essie M. Born     Jan 20 1909 - Sept 4 1983
Otto C. Born       May 13 1906 - Nov 9 1988

Sutterfield (double)
Gene Sutterfield _______
Betty Lou Sutterfield Jun 1 1931 - May 30 1995

Ward (double)
Elgie L.     Feb 14 1910 - Aug 30 1995
We will meet again
Wed         July 12 1930
Bertha     Oct 6 1913 - Dec 16 1988
We will meet again

Vincent
Lillian May
May 12 1914
Dec. 21 1993

Mary E. Vaught
1892 - 1984

Williamson (double)
John Alden     July 18 1926 - July 9 1993     US Navy W.W.II
Marilyn_____  _______

Row 3

Wolf (double)
Frank A.       1898 - 1978
Lizette V.     1900 - 1981

Peterson (double)
Frank R.     1892 - 1969 (Note row 1.  Frank had two headstones)
Doris T.     1906 -1994

Snapp (double)
Don F.            May 6 1920  - Aug 28 1994
Bernice          ____

Hopper (double)
Atlas 1899-1968
Lillie 1909 - 1989

Jimmy M. Hopper
SP3 US Army Korea
Aug 10 1933
July 2 1977

John A. Hopper
Aug 31 1939
Dec 9 1979

Hopper (double)
Ozias H.     Sept 17 1905 - May 4 1988
Olga J.        _________

Margaret E. Carter     1906 - 1987

George E. Carter        1930-1995

Carlson (double)
Edward J. Carlson     1914 - 1977
Loving husband and father
Patricia L. Carlson     _____
Loving wife and mother

Row 2

Fryar (double) identical headstone with Delbert's.
married Oct 27 1927
Ted
Edward Charles     Aug 19 1909 - Oct 14 1990
Dora  C_____ _____
married Oct 27 1927

Fryar
married Oct 21 1926
Nora C____
Delbert L.         Dec 7 1907 - Nov 7 1990

Row 1

Godbehere (flat stone)

Frank R. Petterson
Minnesota
Sgt. Army WW1
March 19 1892 - Nov 13 1969

Osvel Joe Godbehere
Nov 26 1915
Feb 28 1984
Have faith in God

Hopper (double)
Adolph     1897 - 1977
Hazel       1908 - 1973

Pierce (double)
Leon                _______
Marie C.     Nov 21 1926 - May 31 1999

Barrett (double)
George Dub     ______
Eva Jean          Apr 10 1930 -  Jan 19 1998
Married           Feb. 5 1960

Montgomery Co. ARGenWeb Project
____ = living

Sentinel Record , Monday, February 13, 1989 Page 2A
John D. BALLENTINE
Pencil Bluff -- John David Bill" Ballentine, 75, died Friday, Feb. 10, 1989, at his home. Born in Oden, he was a lifetime resident of Montgomery County, a retired farmer and a Protestant. Survivors include his wife, Iva Ballentine of Pencil Bluff; one son, John Ballentine of Pencil Bluff; one sister, Mabel Yaney of Pencil Bluff; two grandchildren, Charles Ballentine, and Tammy Klutts; and two nieces and a host of friends. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Pencil Bluff Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Smith officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral services of Mount Ida.

Advance Monticellonian (weekly), Monticello, Drew Co., AR, 28 May 1997
Hugh CROWLEY, 48, of Mena, Ark., died Friday, May 23, 1997, in St. Joseph'sRegional Medical Center. He was born July 14, 1948, in Starkville, Miss., to the late Marvin Hugh and Vivian Fulgham Crowley. He was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in the gospel group, "One Heart." He worked at Rich Mountain Community College, and owned and operated Circle G Western Store. He was president of the Lions Club and was on the Chamber of Commerce board. He received a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University and a masters and PHD at Auburn University. Survivors include his wife, Debra Crowley of Mena; two sons, Ben Crowley of Monticello and Eric Crowley of Mena; one daughter, Lisa Sullivan of Arkadelphia; one brother, Gene Crowley of Helena; and one grandchild, Hayley Sullivan.Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church by Dr. Bill Bowen. Burial was in the Pencil Bluff Cemetery arranged by Hall Funeral Service of Mena. Pallbearers were Morris Boydston, Mark Barton, Gene Hendrix, Rich Lochala, Gary Boone and Gary Newcomb. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Lions Club. Memorials may be made to the Rich Mountain Community College Hugh Crowley Scholarship Fund.

The Waldron News April 15, 1998
Louis Franklin (Bud) MAXEY, 74, of Waldron died Thursday, April 9,
1998 in his home. He was retired from Arkansas State Highway Department, a veteran of WWII serving three years in India, a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church #3, a member of American Legion and a former member of Montgomery County Farm Bureau. Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 in Martin Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Pencil Bluff Cemetery in Pencil Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo; one daughter, Susan Brashier, of Waldron; one grandson and wife: Sgt. Daniel and LaVonda White, of Midway Park, N.C.; one great grand- daughter, Kristian White, of Midway Park, N.C.; six sisters: Virginia Yandell and Patsy Owens, both of Harvey,Maxine Brown, of Y-City, Ann Wise, of Grannis, Linda Yandell and Norma Pierce, both of Gravelly; two brothers: Don Maxey, of Mt. Pine and Joe Maxey, of Harvey. Pallbearers were M.C. Himes, Wayne Hopper, Kevin Brown, Billy Williams, John Simms and Horace Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers were Comrades of 252nd Port Co., members of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church #3, John Heinin, Bro. Mike Shaddon, Sister Frances, St. Edwards Hospice Team and Aids and Scott County Home Health Nurses and Aids. Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements

Sentinel Record - Hot Springs, Garland Co., Arkansas
Tuesuday, Dec. 6, 1988 Page 8 A
Bertha WARD
Pencil Bluff -- Bertha Ward, 75, of Pencil Bluff, died Friday, Dec. 16, 1988, in a Hot Springs hospital.She was a native of Oklahoma, a resident of Montgomery County for most of her life, a housewife and a member of Pencil Bluff First Baptist Church.Survivors include her husband, E. L. Ward of Pencil Bluff; five sons, Harold Ward of Arlington, Texas, L. D. Ward of Sheridan, Orville Ward of Houston, Lee Ward of Temple, Texas, and Bobby Ward of Hot Springs; four daughters, Gladys Bowen and Dorothy Bennett of Hot Springs, Wanda Edwards of Abilene, Texas, and Glenda Lewis of Prescott; three brothers, John Spurling of Oden, Leo Spurling of Sutter, California, and Cleo Spurling of Live Oak, California; two sisters, Allie Fryar of Mount Ida and Nancy White of Greenwood; 30 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today in Pencil Bluff First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Copeland officiating. Pallbearers will be Damon Edwards, Ricky Vincent, Kevin Vincent, Shawn Ward, Douglas Bowen, Jeremy Ward, Jeff Lewis and Randy Ward. Burial will be in the Pencil Bluff Cemetery under the direction of Thornton Funeral Service of Mount Ida. Wednesday, December 21, 1988