Pleasant Grove Cemetery

--Photo by Leroy Blair, 2001

Pleasant Grove Cemetery

Harmony/Floyd, Arkansas

This cemetery, also known as Old Roberson Cemetery, is located between Harmony and Floyd. Take Highway 305 South (from Highway 36 west) from Center Hill toward Floyd about four miles to Pleasant Grove Road or Peanut Ridge Road. It is about a half/ mile off Highway 305 on Peanut Ridge Road. The cemetery is located at the intersection of Pleasant Grove and Peanut Ridge Road. It was first listed in 1968 by the Floyd Homemakers Extension Club, then published by the White County Historical Society in its annual White County Heritage history. Pleasant Grove was updated on April 23, 2000, by Historical Society member Shelly Wyatt Keech and her father Jerry Wyatt, then updated again in 2001 and 2002 by Leroy and Ellen Blair of the Historical Society.

The gate to the Cemetery has a plaque that reads: In Memory of Quin W. Edwards 1928-1994. There are 23 cement blocks painted "unknown" in black paint.

This is one of the oldest cemeteries in White County. The grave of baby Gladys Strayhorn is dated January 12, 1848. The first known grave, which is close to the entrance and marked today by a concrete block, may pre/ date 1848.

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

*First grave put in cemetery - name and dates unknown- painted on concrete block - close to entrance

Name Birth Death Comments
Allison, Barbara Marilyn December 24, 2005 age 64 years
Allison, Dennis Keith September 21, 1962 September 22, 1962
Allison, Jack " A.W." May 10, 1913 May 16, 1983
Allison, Pauline April 1, 1914 blank double stone with Jack " A.W."
Beeman, Thelma June 25, 1924 blank double stone with Jewell E.
Beemen, Jewell E. February 23, 1924 October 24, 1992
Bennett, Frankie Mid 1930s don't know if this is birth or death or both painted onto a concrete block
Benton, Carmel " Tom" November 4, 1913 October 12, 1920 concrete block
Benton, Ellard Leonard " El" June 17, 1875 murdered July 1, 1917 (see 2006 edition of White County Heritage)
Benton, Etta February 16, 1905 March 20, 1905 double stone with William Benton
Benton, Evertt L. March 17, 1905 May 30, 1905 double stone with Hazel B. Benton
Benton, Hazel B. March 23, 1905 June 13, 1905 double stone with Everett L. Benton
Benton, Henry Virgil February 25, 1905 May 2, 1905 concrete Block
Benton, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Benton, Infant dates unknown child of E. and H. painted on concrete block
Benton, Infant dates unknown child of W. and J. painted on concrete block
Benton, Infant dates unknown child of W. and J. . painted on concrete block
Benton, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Benton, John W. February 28, 1839 January 26, 1908 PVT. Ark. Cav. C.S.A. Army
Benton, John Windell August 30, 1924 March 7, 2000 U.S. Navy WWII
Benton, Katherine Coffee June 26,1868 March 4, 1905 concrete block
Benton, Lena L. (Heffington) Cunningham June 10, 1872 September 12, 1932
Benton, Lloyd June 20, 1905 September 11, 1905 painted on concrete block
Benton, Martha June 20, 1869 May 29, 1947 double stone with Steve Benton
Benton, Mattie Verna born Dec 1, 1909 died in childhood - twin of Vera B. Benton, daughters of E.L. Benton -concrete block
Benton, Miles 18?? February 5, 1905 concrete block
Benton, Minnie Heggie dates unknown concrete block
Benton, Rachel G. January 8, 1840 September 26, 1904
Benton, Shelby daughter of W. and J. - dates unknown - painted on a concrete block 8 years old
Benton, Steve January 31, 1863 October 7, 1939 double stone with Martha
Benton, Susan dates unknown concrete block
Benton, Travis Lee December 12, 1929 August 22, 2000 U.S. Navy Korea
Benton, Vera born and died 1909 painted on concrete block with twin
Benton, Verna born and died 1909 painted on concrete block with twin
Benton, William February 9, 1905 April 12, 1905
Calhoun, ? dates unknown concrete block
Calhoun, Alonza P. July 27, 1856 February 14, 1935 double stone with Sarah E. Calhoun
Calhoun, Arlie October 18, 1888 November 19, 1906 son of A.P. & Lizzie Calhoun
Calhoun, Clyde P. November 18, 1893 May 29, 1958
Calhoun, Edna S. January 11, 1922 August 24, 1996 double stone with Ernest L. Calhoun
Calhoun, Elsie Mae January 24, 1896 July 26, 1972 double stone with Robert Milton Calhoun
Calhoun, Ernest L March 11, 1922 November 18, 1968
Calhoun, Gale Porter July 16, 1925 December 18, 2001 double stone with Jean Calhoun
Calhoun, Herbert October 11, 1898 November 19, 1975
Calhoun, Hettie M September 16, 1892 August 24, 1969
Calhoun, Jean Burkett March 30, 1925 August 18, 1998
Calhoun, Lottie March 19, 1900 July 3, 1966 double stone with Herbert Calhoun
Calhoun, Norris Lee November 2, 1912 April 16, 1962
Calhoun, Robert Milton December 2, 1894 September 10, 1952 double stone with Elsie Mae Calhoun
Calhoun, Sarah E. October 3, 1863 April 21, 1921
Campbell, Bert February 2, 1880 March 4, 1959 double stone with Ethel
Campbell, Ethel December 7, 1887 December 16, 1973 double with Bert
Campbell, Nancy Carol May 19, 1937 March 18, 1938
Cofer, Agnes W. May 29, 1844 November 30, 1920 wife of W.R. Cofer
Cofer, Eugie E. May 19, 1904 July 6, 1973 double stone with Leelian Cofer
Cofer, H.V. May 8, 1888 December 26, 1935
Cofer, John T. July 13, 1907 December 28, 1964 Pfc. U.S. Army WWII
Cofer, Katie Ruth April 21, 2002 FM
Cofer, Leelian E. (Ketcherside) August 8, 1908 July 6, 2003 double stone with Eugie E. Cofer
Cofer, Lila Bell February 6, 1890 July 28, 1914
Cofer, Lila Bell July 22, 1914 October 27, 1914 daughter of H.V. & Lila Bell Cofer
Cofer, Powell W. January 28, 2003 husband of Ruth Cofer age 86 years
Cofer, Thomas September 24, 1867 October 20, 1884 son of W.R. & A.W.
Cofer, W.R. December 7, 1833 December 27, 1920
Cofer, William Ex January 30, 1878 January 3, 1924
Cofer, Willie R. June 23, 1910 March 25, 1927
Coffey, Emma August 30, 1883 March 29, 1964
Coffey, Finis September 18, 1907 August 1, 1908 son of D.P. & Ruby Coffey
Coffey, Hassie February 25, 1905 May 13, 1905 double stone with Hugh C. Coffey
Coffey, Hugh C. February 23, 1905 April 25, 1905
Coffey, James S. January 30, 1883 November 29, 1973
Coffey, John D. June 19, 1838 July 13, 1915 Pvt. Co. E. 9 Regt. Tenn. Inf. C.S.A.
Coffey, Melissa G. Harris August 16, 1845 September 14, 1930
Coffey, Melissa Louise December 1, 1915 July 13, 1916
Coffey, Nettie Lena September 16, 1899 March 9, 1916
Coffey, Rubin H. 189? April 10, 1905
Coffey, Willie Mae November 4, 1888 December 13, 1915
Cooper, Clayton November 26, 1890 January 1, 1930 concrete block
Cooper, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Cranford, Exum Lee December 11, 1926 November 19, 2000 double stone with Mary Ruth Cranford
Cranford, Mary Ruth August 7, 1930 February 24, 1998 double stone with Exum Lee Cranford
Crozier, Flora Lee March 22, 1892 April 22, 1960
Edwards, J.B. Henry Sr. August 16, 1934 blank
Edwards, James November 5, 1925 February 13, 1973 S1 U.S. Navy WWII
Edwards, JoAnna September 22, 1937 blank
Edwards, Quin W. February 2, 1928 July 11, 1994
Ellenburg, A. August 17, 1851 August 13, 1898
Ellenburg, Emma E. November 28, 1874 February 27, 1957
Ellenburg, Jake W. December 12, 1879 January 28, 1960
Ellenburg, Luce Mae October 8, 1910 October 17, 1913 cement marker with black paint
Ellenburg, Maude dates unknown concrete block daughter of Jake & Emma
Ellenburg, Vernon March 27, 1905 April 10, 1905
Free, William L. February 6, 1905 March 1, 1919
Gamblin, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Gassaway, Harvey Virgil July 5, 1908 October 27, 1984 double stone with Jane (Calhoun) Gassaway
Gassaway, Jane (Calhoun) July 13, 1922 March 21, 1996
Gassaway, Nelda Dee Uppole September 2, 1942 August 2, 1978
Gassoway, Ada February 21, 1905 April 28, 1905
Greer, Alfred November 2, 1888 March 21, 1952
Greer, Lois Aline December 24, 1914 July 8, 1997
Greer, Murry F. December 12, 1917 October 26, 1924
Greer, Susie August 24, 1889 May 25, 1981 double stone with Alfred Greer
Greer, Velma A. November 19, 1912 May 31, 1952
Haynie, Bell February 17, 1905 May 15, 1905
Heggie, Letha May 21, 1896 July 27, 1942
Holebook, George Jr. March 18, 1982 only date painted on concrete block
Horton, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Johnson, Belle March 4, 1877 August 15, 1951 wife of Ex Cofer
Johnson, Susan dates unknown painted on concrete block
Manning, Ara Lee April 5, 1905 April 6, 1905
Nailling, Amanda April 21, 1981 April 21, 1981
Polk, Mickey Wooldridge October 18, 1934 February 4, 2001 FM
Prothro, E. Levi April 19, 1909 August 6, 1911
Prothro, Etta February 14, 1876 August 10, 1920 concrete block
Prothro, Gillane Smalley March 26, 1899 November 20, 1920
Prothro, Mary E. February 21, 1919 May 13, 1922
Prothro, Rosa B. January 20, 1890 November 25, 1896
Prothro, Roxie January 4, 1911 September 30, 1911
Prothro, Tom J. April 1, 1878 March 31, 1922
Richison, Linda Jo October 23, 2003 wife of Charley Richison age 61 years
Roberson, Rufus April 25, 1898 October 18, 1991 double stone w Vernie
Roberson, Vernie November 7, 1902 July 3, 1982
Robertson, Cynthia November 10, 1886 July 20, 1886?
Robertson, Eliza J. January 29, 1905 April 14, 1905 double stone with Henry C. Robertson
Robertson, Henry C. January 25, 1905 May 10, 1905
Robertson, Luna October 30, 1889 November 1, 1895
Robertson, Minnie January 23, 1882 July 31, 1883
Robertson, Susan Smithwick December 22, 1904 February 22, 1905 wife of R.L.
Scruggs, Frank C. February 13, 1905 April 27, 1905
Scruggs, Robert Milton April 8, 1846 February 14, 1871 Pvt. Co. D, 48th Regt. Ala. Inf. C.S.A.
Slaten, Clarice (Coffey) January 15, 1905 November 17, 1977 double stone with Elijah Marvin Slaten
Slaten, Elijah Marvin June 26, 1892 April 10, 1984 married Clarice Coffey October 1, 1922
Straud, Emma Lucille August 7, 2001 FM age 70 years, 8 mos., 6 days
Strayhorn, Bulah M. October 8, 1912 March 9, 1989 double stone with Rufie Strayhorn
Strayhorn, Clifton July 22, 1903 March 31, 1981 double stone with Cordia A. Strayhorn
Strayhorn, Cordia A. March 8, 1905 March 19, 1994
Strayhorn, Gladys January 12, 1848 January 12, 1848
Strayhorn, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Strayhorn, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Strayhorn, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block
Strayhorn, John D. March 2, 1863 February 4, 1951 double stone with Mollie Strayhorn
Strayhorn, Lula dates unknown painted on concrete block
Strayhorn, Mary Cofer February 12, 1905 April 19, 1905
Strayhorn, Mollie September 14, 1867 January 15, 1940
Strayhorn, Romie dates unknown painted on concrete block
Strayhorn, Rufie October 28, 1905 November 1, 1983
Strayhorn, Tobe February 9, 1905 May 17, 1905
Strayhorn, W. Reed August 30, 1903 August 24, 1980
Stringfellow, James Oscar May 20, 1892 August 23, 1970 double stone with Myrtle Ivey Stringfellow
Stringfellow, Myrtle Ivey June 15, 1898 April 14, 1985
Stringfellow, Timothy Lee born and died December 4, 1962
Stroud Dearl Edwin November 29, 1930 February 20, 1992 married November 6, 1954 to Wanda Deen Stroud
Stroud, ? February 24, 1905 ?, painted on concrete block
Stroud, Annie A. May 13, 1862 November 20, 1949 double stone with Daniel A. Stroud
Stroud, Annie M. July 28, 1896 August 8, 1986 double stone with Henry C.
Stroud, Clifton November 3, 1927 January 1, 1929 painted on concrete block
Stroud, Daniel A. December 5, 1861 March 21, 1904
Stroud, Edmond Alphen March 9, 1915 April 1, 1998 Tec 5 U.S. Army WWII
Stroud, Eldon R. May 5, 1926 December 2, 1958
Stroud, Emma February 5, 1905 February 24, 1905
Stroud, Eugenir November 30, 1919 blank double stone with Edmond Alphen Stroud
Stroud, Grace T. September 25, 1898 April 17, 1980 double stone with Samuel I. Stroud
Stroud, Henry C. March 12, 1905 May 20, 1905
Stroud, Hyrom January 2, 1929 March 19, 1929
Stroud, Infant April 18, 1898 August 8, 1898 son of D.H. & Annie Stroud
Stroud, Infant October 24, 1978 only date daughter of Alphen L. and Marilyn Stroud
Stroud, Maggie J. May 7, 1884 May 6, 1906
Stroud, Mamie Frances March 28, 1900 February 15, 1975
Stroud, Margaret May 20, 1893 June 22, 1930 double stone with Riley
Stroud, Matrel Faye January 18, 1923 August 26, 1969 double stone with Nathan Stroud, Jr.
Stroud, Myron December 18, 2001 age 72 husband of Lucille B. Stroud
Stroud, Nathan Jr. January 18, 1920 August 26, 1969
Stroud, Riley November 22, 1892 October 22, 1962
Stroud, Samuel I. December 25, 1895 September 17, 1961
Stroud, Twin of H.C. " Cricket" born and died 1898
Stroud, Wanda Dean February 11, 1937 blank double stone with Dearl Edwin Stroud
Stroud, Wilber D. September 3, 1938 April 25, 1997
Taylor, Clara dates unknown wife of Arch painted on concrete block
Taylor, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block child of A. & C
Taylor, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block child of A. & C
Taylor, Infant dates unknown painted on concrete block child of A. & C
Washburn, Alma Francis April 20, 1905 April 21, 1905
Washburn, Carl March 27, 1905 May 28, 1905 double stone with Lorene Washburn
Washburn, Dibrell A. July 7, 1904 May 14, 1979 double stone with Estha Mary Washburn
Washburn, Estha Mary March 22, 1905 May 19, 1987
Washburn, Infant July 1, 1976 only date son of Robert B. and Erhelda Washburn
Washburn, Jessie Lorene January 8, 1915 April 15, 1984
Washburn, L.E. " Pop" August 9, 1909 July 1, 1991 double stone with Jessie Lorene Washburn
Washburn, Lorene March 29, 1905 June 8, 1905
Washburn, M. Ella February 27, 1905 April 16, 1905 double stone with Robert W. Washburn
Washburn, Robert Brooks Sep. 10, 1939 October 1, 1983
Washburn, Robert W. February 22, 1905 May 5, 1905
Wiggs , Cannie October 14, 1879 June 6, 1950
Wiggs, Charlie May 9, 1875 October 31, 1950
Wiggs, Cora dates unknown painted on concrete block
Wiggs, Elzie T. Sep. 28, 1903 November 3, 1971 double stone with Jessie B. Wiggs
Wiggs, Emily M. February 16, 1875 December 17, 1960
Wiggs, Emma Roberson February 14, 1905 March 8, 1905 painted on concrete block
Wiggs, Jessie Bell (Coffey) October 30, 1907 December 22, 1985 wife of Elzie T. Wiggs daughter of Willie Mae (Mitchel) and James Smith Coffey
Wiggs, Lloyd Samuel November 19, 1910 February 9, 1984
Wiggs, Samuel January 4, 1862 July 20, 1942
Williams, Rebecca J. March 1, 1872 January 26, 1936
Williams, Roy May 13, 1900 March 8, 1926
Willis, Elmer Edgar October 24, 1919 July 5, 1993
Willis, Geraldine August 13, 1920 blank double stone with Elmer Edgar Willis
Woolridge, Felix E. April 13, 1905 May 21, 1905

There is a Negro Cemetery located on the N.J. Stroud property which is west of Pleasant Grove Cemetery. The same club listed its one marked grave:

Mary Jane Kindle (wife of Mack Kindle) - August 4, 1869-July 1, 1901

If you have additional information on this old Stroud Cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society at P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145.

Photo by Shelly Keech

White County’s Cemetery of Tragedy

The following article by Claude Johnson was published by the White County Historical Society in its 1977 edition of White County Heritage. Note that he refers to Pleasant Grove as " the old Roberson cemetery." It has also been identified as " old Robinson cemetery." Johnson was president of the Historical Society in 1970 and ’71 and the author of a history of White County. He died in 1981.

The old Roberson cemetery, located alongside what is now Pleasant Grove Church, just off highway 305, three miles northeast of Floyd, White County, might be called a cemetery of tragedy. At present there are 80 marked graves, and a dozen or more unmarked graves, and 13 of those were victims of accidents or tragedy.

Dan Stroud’s death started the chain when he was killed by a falling tree on March 21, 1904. Four other members of his family were to follow over the years. Dan’s daughter Maggie burned to death in 1905. Dan’s small grandson, the son of Ira and Grace Stroud, was killed when run over by a wagon in the late teens. Finally, in 1969, Nathan Jr. and his wife Faye Stroud were victims of a murder/ suicide. On Sunday, July 1, 1917, E.L. Benton was shot and killed in church by Tal Scruggs.

Homer Cofer was killed [when his car was hit by a train December 26, 1935]. Ed Woolridge met accidental death while building a bridge on Highway 305, near Harmony, in 1968.

Others in unmarked graves who met tragic death include: a little Bennett boy who shot himself in 1929, little Benton girl burned to death, Minnie Roberson burned to death, and Clarence Coffey killed by lightning. Arlie Calhoun, 19, was killed when the team and wagon he was holding ran away when a train approached the Garner station in 1906.

If you have additional information on the Pleasant Grove (Robinson/Roberson) Cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society at P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145.

Pleasant Grove And Its People

By JANE (CALHOUN) GASSAWAY

Written in June 1982

The Pleasant Grove community had some settlers as early as the 1830s. At one time it had a post office, stores and a school.

Some of the very first families were of John W. Benton and William Strayhorn. Both were here in the mid/ 1850s. John Benton married Rachell Burkett and William Strayhorn married Mary Jane Burkett, both daughters of William and Rachell (Hughes) Burkett who were in Des Arc Township in the mid/ 1840s. The Benton family settled what is now where John Henry and Susie Coffey live. The Strayhorns settled on what we know as the El Benton place. They were first listed in the 1860 census. By 1870 more families had moved into the community. One was of Robert L. and Susan Roberson with four married daughters and two sons. One family was Frances, wife of Robert M. Scruggs; Mary E., wife of Sterling Brown; Ann, wife of C.W. Mardis (daughter married Ardy Johnson of Floyd); Peity, wife of John Berry. By 1880 there were many more families that had moved into the community. Hugh Bell, Caldwell, Lonnie Calhoun, W.R. Cofer, John D. Coffey, Ellenbert, Heggie, Protho, Sessums, Stroud, Taylor, Wiggs. After 1900 families were Russell, Slaten, Simpson and Washburn with some of their descendents still living here. (My grandchildren are the seventh generation of the Roberson family.)

The Stroud family: The mother Margaret was a Bradley by birth. Married first Bradley, had one daughter Eliza, second time to John Stroud, had Daniel and Isabell (m. Allen Roberson), third time to Sutton, had two children, fourth time to Bartlett, had one son Edgar. Daniel Stroud married first time to Emma Wiggs, one daughter, then he married a second time to Ann Bell, had eight children. Eliza Bradley married first Protho and then she married Henry Roberson.

Robert Washburn was three months old in the 1880 census of Gray Township, White County, Arkansas. After 1900 he moved into the community and married in 1903 to Ella Stroud. To this union 10 children were born.

Lonnie Calhoun came from Obion County, Tennessee, after the 1880 census, to visit his father’s sister, Mrs. Elvira Patty. In 1882 he married Lizzie Scruggs (one of 11 children of Robert and Frances Roberson Scruggs). Son Herbert Calhoun m. 1916 to Lottie Benton (of Steve and Martha Maxwell Benton). In 1922 daughter Jane Elizabeth was born. In 1941 she married Harvey Gassaway. (Steve Benton was one of the 13 children of John and Rachell Benton.)

THE CHURCH: An acre of land was deeded for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1877 by Robert L. and Susan Roberson. The first building was used as a church and school until about 1906, when more land was deeded by Mr. and Mrs. Emmitt Taylor. There were different religions of all the new settlers, and one Sunday of the month for one, Cumberland Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Church of Christ. After the burning of the church building in 1917, no church was here until 1935, when one was made of logs. It was then just Cumberland Presbyterian, used until 1960 when the present one was built. The last funeral in the log church was for Ira Stroud (son of Daniel and Ann Bell Stroud.)

The church is the center of the community and in circumference from ½ to 1½ miles around the church.

CEMETERY: The cemetery was enlarged in 1977 of land deeds by Mrs. Carl (Lorene Moore) Washburn and Mr. and Mrs. Phil Stroud. A new fence was then put around the grounds. There are 16 tragic deaths buried in it, two in the Coffey family, five in the Stroud family, seven in the Benton/ Calhoun families and one other. Three murder victims / El Benton (1917), Fay (Akin) Stroud (1968) and Nell (Gassaway) Uppole (1978). Four Civil War veterans / John W. Benton (served from this community), W.R. Cofer (Tennessee), John D. Coffey (White County) who lived near Beebe at the time, and Robert M. Scruggs (Alabama).

SCHOOL: The school was in the first building until 1906 when it was changed. It was divided between Caldwell School and the Floyd school. In 1930 Caldwell consolidates with the Floyd School System. One of the students in this school in the 1880s was Frank Heggie (also was a teacher in it). He lacked six months being 101 years of age when he died in 1980.

STORES: Two of the stores, one by Gip Protho where the McEuen home place is, and the other by Will Reddy located where the Slaten home place is. Will married Lulu Scruggs, daughter of Robert and Frances (Roberson) Scruggs.

The community has many places of interest interesting stories which will be included in the book.

One interesting story is between the Benton family and the Stroud family. They have been friends and neighbors since the mid 1870s and the first marriage between the families was in 1973 when Jan Washburn (fourth generation of the Stroud family) and Donnie Hill (fifth generation of the Benton family) were married. So now after 100 years we have some Benton/ Stroud children / 13 Benton children, 9 Stroud children.

FELLOWSHIP HALL: Was just recently built and it is a joy to have fellowship with one’s friends and neighbors and relatives on the first Sunday of each month with potluck served after the morning church services.