--Photo by Leroy Blair, 2002

Center Hill Baptist Cemetery

Center Hill, Arkansas

• List updated March 27, 2007
• Legal description:  SW, SW, SE, Sect. 32, T8N, R8W
• Earliest listed grave:  August 10, 1855 – Susan Neal
• Last listed grave: Active
• GPS Location : 601878 - 3903447
• Arkansas Archeological Survey site #3WH0627

The Center Hill Baptist Cemetery was established March 3, 1860, when Thomas E. Ellis donated three acres of land for a Union Church and community cemetery. At least 15 burials had occurred in the area prior to this date. The Union Church was later disbanded and the care of the cemetery fell to a few interested residents of the area. As burials increased, these residents formed the Center Hill Cemetery Association to raise funds to maintain the cemetery.

 There are several depressions and sandstones that indicate unmarked burial sites in all areas of the cemetery. Tradition states that several slaves were buried in the north end of the cemetery.

The Center Hill Cemetery is located across the road from the Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church. To reach the cemetery, take Highway 36 West from Searcy, turn at sign onto a gravel road (which is partially paved) approximately 50 yards past the Center Hill city limits sign and go about half a mile.

 This material was taken from Cemetery Association records by the White County Historical Society and transferred to the Internet in April 1999 in memory of Society member Wanda Wilson.  This marked the very first step in a program initiated by Society president Eddie Best to update White County cemetery records and place them on the Internet. Mrs. Wilson, who was Treasurer of the Association, was killed when a tornado struck her home at Center Hill January 21, 1999.  The cemetery list has subsequently been updated many times by Historical Society member Leroy Blair.  He first visited the cemetery in October 2000.  Blair’s report included these comments:  “There are eight rocks and bricks lying on the ground near the graves of Fannie and Willis Harrison.  Each has the letters RE written on them.  Near the graves of W.C. and Mary Redus there are three coffee cans filled with cement which have the letters B made of metal set in the cement.  Found a marble slab with letters W.H. on it, lying on the ground. Several graves marked only with rocks.  Several mounds or depressions that are probably unmarked graves.”  Blair was unable to find the following graves:  Alford infant, Burkhart ?, Tollie English, Jennie Grammer, Jimmie Grammer, William Grammer, Matilda Griffith, Catherine Harr, J. Huber, Kirby infants, Joseph Muse, Odean daughter, Davis Parks, John Parks, Katie Parks, Luther Parks, Nora Parks, Statira Parks, Lucille Patterson, Eric Parkes, James Welch, Martha Welch, Mary White, Nancy Wortham, Bessie Yearby and Yearby infants.

The Association maintains a map showing the location of graves by plot number as listed below.   Donations for the maintenance of this cemetery may be sent to Center Hill Baptist Cemetery Association, attn. Jane Durham, 4088 Highway 36 West, Searcy, AR 72143.

 If you have corrections or additions to this list or other information on this cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society at P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145.