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Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery

Grayson County, Virginia

Location: Volney

Directions: From Independence take Wilson Hwy (US 58) from Independence to Mouth of Wilson and continue north on US 58/SR 16, staying on Troutdale Hwy (SR 16) at Volney. Watch for a sign on the left for Little Wilson Church and turn west onto Little Wilson Road (Rt 738). The cemetery entrance is about a tenth of a mile south of the Little Wilson Methodist Church. To enter you cross Little Wilson Creek and then drive up a winding driveway through the woods. Once at the top of the hill you will find the cemetery.

GPS Coordinates: N36.631378 W81.406326

Surveyed by: Jeff Weaver, 7 Mar 2003; updated by Ginger Ballard Apr 2008

Comments: The sign approaching Little Wilson Methodist Church Cemetery indicates that the graveyard was established in 1830; however, the first known burial in his cemetery was in 1826. The earliest marked burial found during this survey was 1837. This cemetery appears to have started as a Perkins family cemetery. Much of this information comes from Minnie Hall via Paul Herndon’s files.

Little Wilson United Methodist Church
General View of the Little Wilson United Methodist Church

Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery
General View of the Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery

Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery
General View of the Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery

Little Wilson United Methodist Church Cemetery, Grayson County, Virginia
Name Birth Death Comments
Row 1
WALLS, William Wesley 16 Sep 1860 12 Mar 1939 [s/o P. and J. Walls]
WALLS, Emaline Peak 16 Mar 1859 23 Dec 1938 [Matilda Emeline, d/o Hugh and Marjory Hart Peak]
unknowns     three concrete block markers
PLUMMER, Elmer Lee 21 Oct 1918 21 Oct 1918 s/o Mr. & Mrs. Vester Plummer
PLUMMER, Ola P. 11 Dec 1897 3 Apr 1993 [Ola Virginia, d/o Robert Lee & Delta Mink Perkins; w/o Vester Plummer]
SEBASTIAN, Carrie Elizabeth Pugh “Aunt Bet” 19 Dec 1876 4 May 1959 Buried Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, California; [w/o Worth Sebastian; d/o Robert Pugh & Nancy McMillan]
Row 2
SEBASTIAN, Mattie [18 Apr 1901] [23 Dec 1914] age 13 years 8 months 5 days; d/o Worth & Bettie Sebastian
Row 3
CORNETT, Ira Isom 1858 1943 double stone with next
CORNETT, Mary E. [1 May] 1859 1947  
PERKINS, Mack 29 Dec 1871 18 Dec 1941 [s/o Robert H. Perkins & Elizabeth J. Jones; his wife, Fannie Spencer, may be buried in a nearby unmarked grave]
PERKINS, Robert H. [18 Sep 1829]   Co D 50th Va Inf C.S.A.; [s/o Temperance Perkins; his wife, Elizabeth J. Jones (19 Sep 1835 – 2 Jan 1907), may be buried in a nearby unmarked grave]
unknowns     four concrete blocks
unknown     field stone with partial marking “AN born April 11”
unknowns     two eroded soapstone
MINK, Arthur A.   17 Nov 1889 age 6 yrs, 6 mos, 16 days; s/o W.H. & A.M. Mink
MINK, Thorban J.   4 Jul 1864 age 2 yrs, 2 mos, 6 days, s/o W.H. & A.M. Mink
MINK, John A.   10 Sep 1858 age 7 days; s/o W.H. & A.M. Mink
Row 4
HAMM, Clara Donne 29 Nov 1916 9 Dec 1916 died age 10 days; d/o George W. & Virginia L. Hamm
CORNETT, Zenna Mae 18 Aug 1901 28 Feb 1902 age 6 mos, 5 ds; d/o I[ra] I[som] & M[ary] E. [Perkins] Cornett
unknown     “C.P.”
PENNINGTON, Charity Celena Perkins 3 Jul 1834 15 Oct 1910 wife of Clayborn H. Pennington; [d/o Rev. Philip Perkins & Rebecca McGrady]
PUGH, Mahala 5 Dec 1829 5 Apr 1902 [1st] wife of Stephen Pugh; [d/o Rev. Philip Perkins & Rebecca McGrady]
WEISS, Emeline 27 Apr 1832 12 Mar 1881 wife of S[ilas] M[ontgomery] Weiss; [d/o Rev. Philip Perkins & Rebecca McGrady]
PERKINS, Rebecca   21 Jan 1876 age 72 years 2 mos [19] days; wife of Rev. Philip Perkins
PERKINS, Philip, Rev.   23 Mar 1886 age 82 years mos [25] days; [s/o Jared Perkins & Phebe Russell]
unknown     concrete block
unknowns     three eroded soapstones
PERKINS, Arad   27 Sep 1837 age 23; [s/o Jared Perkins & Phebe Russell; his widow, Elizabeth Anderson, later married Joseph Perkins]
unknowns     two eroded soapstones
Row 5
RUTHERFORD, Robert Lee 15 Jul 1908 19 Jun 1998 double stone with next
RUTHERFORD, Cora Alma 21 Mar 1916 22 May 2005  
RUTHERFORD, Dennis Ray 16 Feb 1937 14 Jan 1997 [s/o Robert L. & Cora Alma Sells Rutherford]
TOMPKINS, Gilmer W. 8 Feb 1902 3 Feb 1986 PFC U.S. Army World War II; [s/o Phocion Hezekiah & Elizabeth T/Pickle Tompkins]
TOMPKINS, Dixie N. 17 Dec 1893 8 Apr 1983 Pvt U.S. Army World War I; [Dixie Newton, s/o Phocion Hezekiah & Elizabeth T/Pickle Tompkins; h/o Fleeta Phipps]
TOMPKINS, Roscoe 7 Oct 1891 4 Nov 1982 PFC U.S. Army World War I; [s/o Phocion Hezekiah & Elizabeth T/Pickle Tompkins]
TOMPKINS, Robert M. 18 Feb 1886 20 Aug 1957 age 71 years 6 mos. 2 days; [Robert Martin, s/o Phocion Hezekiah & Elizabeth T/Pickle Tompkins]
TOMPKINS, Elizabeth 1866 1963 [d/o Minerva Tickle or Pickle of Smyth Co]; double stone with next
TOMPKINS, P.H. 1861 1935 [Phocion Hezekiah, s/o Phocion L. Tompkins & Sarah Susann Perkins]
EMERSON, June Elizabeth 1917 1917 [infant d/o John Emerson & Ann Tompkins, gd/o Phocion H. & Elizabeth Tompkins]
TOMPKINS, Lloyd Bowers 4 Mar 1897 26 Jan 1898 [s/o Phocion & Elizabeth Tompkins]
TOMPKINS, Rose 14 Feb 1896 18 Feb 1896 [d/o Phocion & Elizabeth Tompkins]
MINK, Calvin 28 Jan 1842 27 Oct 1900 Co D 50 Va Inf CSA; [s/o John Mink & Amy Hackler; 2nd h/o Sarah Susann Perkins Tompkins]
unknown     concrete block
MINK, Amy 17 Sep 1811 17 Apr 1877 [d/o John Delp & Catrina Hackler; w/o John Mink]
unknowns     three concrete blocks
PERK__S, J.E. [27 Aug 1820] [11 Apr 18__] handcarved field stone; dates now illegible but as shown in Herndon files. Weaver file shows “1827.” Mr. Herndon read the initials as “J.L.” and thought this might have been Joseph Perkins, 2nd h/o Eliza Anderson Perkins.]
unknowns     four concrete blocks
Row 6
MINK, George W. 6 Jul, 1874 15 Oct 1960  
MINK, John B. 14 Apr 1878 21 Feb 1919  
unknowns     two concrete markers, flat stone, concrete marker, rock
MINK, Jacob T. 1 Jul 1840 20 May 1931 Co D 50th Va Inf CSA
MINK, Catherine 5 Sep 1843 3 Jul 1932  
unknown     concrete marker
Row 7
PERKINS, John W. 17 Nov 1854 2 Oct 1940 “Father”
PERKINS, Oletha J. 23 Mar 1861 2 Dec 1945 “Mother”
REEDY, Deloris 21 Oct 1926 22 Oct 1926  
unknown     concrete marker
PERKINS, Wiler Vantee 7 Jan 1889 21 Feb 1920  
PERKINS, Chester 4 Jun 1904 21 Nov 1908  
unknowns     concrete markers, open space
PERKINS, Nonie 8 Feb 1878 21 Oct 1934  
Row 8
SELLS, Carl D. 13 Oct 1915 1 Jan 2001 PFC U.S. Army World War II; double stone with next
SELLS, Inez S. 11 Aug 1924 13 Sep 2005  
BROWN, John H. 15 Sep 1910 [3 Jun 1990] [buried at West Jefferson]; double stone with next
BROWN, Ruth G. 30 Aug 1913 10 Sep 1971  
MINK, W.E. 19 Sep 1865 23 Jan 1889  
MINK, John A. 30 May 1870 19 Aug 1885  
MINK, Sarah A. 3 Mar 1842 13 Feb 1884  
MINK, Hyram R. 6 May 1837 31 Oct 1883  
MINK, David W. 20 Feb 1862 5 Jul 1882  
unknowns     six concrete blocks, open space
Row 9
BROWN, Doris H. 27 Mar 1932 24 Feb 2001  
unknowns     8eight concrete blocks, open space
HASH, Virgie A. 8 Sep 1884 10 Sep 1916 d/o Mr. & Mrs. E.C. Hash; age 32 yrs 2 days
Row 10
unknown     concrete block
PERKINS, Braties Nelson 16 Dec 1880 26 Dec 1918 [Braties Perkins, d/o John W. Perkins and Oletah Stamper; w/o Conley Irvin Nelson]
unknowns     three concrete blocks, open space
BURNOP, Infant Daughter 4 Jan 1940 4 Jan 1940 d/o Carl & Faye Burnop
PEAK, Robert H. 19 Jan 1870 30 Jan 1870 s/o J.A. & A. Peak
Row 11
MITCHELL, Sarah Barrett 30 Dec 1814 14 Apr 1893 [nee Barrett, w/o Rev. Charles Mitchell. She donated the land lot for Little Wilson Church.]
unknowns     seven concrete blocks
SELLS, Mintie M. 11 Sep 1884 21 Apr 1898 [d/o William Franklin Sells & Louisa Caroline Perkins]
SELLS, Charity C. 28 Mar 1879 24 Jan 1891 [d/o William Franklin Sells & Louisa Caroline Perkins]
SELLS, Nannie F. 9 Jun 1881 12 Jan 1888 [Nannie F., d, d/o William Franklin Sells & Louisa Caroline Perkins]
SELLS, Carrie 14 Oct 1871 18 Jan 1872 [d/o William Franklin Sells & Louisa Caroline Perkins]
SELLS, Louisa C. 19 Apr 1845 11 Jan 1917 age 71 yrs 8 mos 22 days; wife of W.F. Sells; [Louisa Caroline, d/o Philip Perkins & Rebecca McGrady]
SELLS, William F. 15 Oct 1838 22 Mar 1910 [Co D 50th VA Inf CSA; s/o William H. Sells & Mary Musser]
Row 12
NEALY, Irvin     heavy wooden cross without name
NEALY, Edna     heavy wooden cross without name
unknowns     2 concrete blocks
NELSON, ____ 6 Aug 1894 6 Aug 1894 [child of] Mr. & Mrs. C.B. Nelson; stone is broken and top is gone
unknown     concrete block, open space
TEASTER, Mittie M. 14 Jun 1870 31 Jan 1879 age 8 yrs 7 mos 17 days
TEASTER, Isabel Jones 15 Oct 1833 21 Jun 1890 age 56 yrs 8 mos, 6 days; wife of James Teaster
TEASTER, James 26 Dec 1841 4 Jan 1878 stone is broken, parts are present
unknowns     3 concrete blocks
Row 13
RUTHERFORD, Charles Harold 28 Nov 1932 1 Apr 2002 double stone with next
RUTHERFORD, Shirley Sells 28 Oct 1935    
SELLS, Reva R. 22 Feb 1931 4 Jan 1976  
SELLS, Troy Lee 3 Jan 1896 11 May 1978 [s/o Frank Mack & Phina Rutherford Sells]; double stone with next
SELLS, Lizzie C. 24 Dec 1898 12 Feb 1975 [Elizabeth Catherine, d/o Robert Lee Perkins; w/o Troy Lee Sells]
SELLS, Stanley Gale 12 Dec 1928 19 Mar 1966  
SELLS, Dewey Lee 25 Sep 1924 26 Sep 1979 [s/o Troy L. & Elizabeth Perkins Sells; h/o Ruby Winslow]
unknowns     open space with no markers but apparent graves
SELLS, Mack 14 Dec 1872 5 Dec 1948 double stone with next
SELLS, Phina 1 May 1876 28 May 1949
SELLS, Mintie L. 20 Jan 1911 19 Dec 1911  
unknown     concrete block
SELLS, Wayne 18 Feb 1906 28 Jan 1976 double stone with next
SELLS, Helen M. 13 Jan 1917 7 Feb 1979 [d/o Carl & Kate Branson Monk; m1 Wayne Sells, m2 Herman Henderson]
SELLS, Infant 15 Nov 1935 15 Nov 1935 s/o Wayne & Helen Sells
Row 14
PERKINS, Graham Ford 20 Jan 1918 21 May 1969  
REEVES, Ralph B. 3 Feb 1923 26 Oct 1996 [Ralph Bedwell, s/o Mack & Blanche Bedwell Reeves]; double stone with next
REEVES, Madelene P. 4 Oct 1921 9 Apr 1989 [Doris Madelene, d/o Burton & Blanna Sebastian Perkins]
PERKINS, Ardith Woodrow 19 Feb 1915 30 Nov 1963 Va SSgt Co G 116th Inf World War II, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; double stone with next
PERKINS, Guida Rose 10 Jul 1923 15 Jun 2006  
PERKINS, Lyal Layfam 5 Aug 1912 17 Jul 1914 s/o J.B. & Blanna Perkins
PERKINS, Burton J. 22 Jul 1884 19 Nov 1946 double stone with next
PERKINS, Blanna A. 8 Feb 1885 27 Oct 1961  
MINK, Joe E., Jr. 19 Sep 1912 23 Dec 1913 s/o Joe. E. & Jincie Mink
SMITH, Joseph C. 27 Jun 1934 27 Jun 1934 s/o Carl & Kate Smith
Row 15
WALLS, Joseph Garl, Sr. 21 May 1941 3 Nov 1995 [s/o Chester Lee & Gertie Mae Perkins Walls]; double stone with next
WALLS, Rhonda Richardson 12 Apr 1947   married 31 May 1969
WALLS, Elbert Lee 2 Mar 1971 2 Mar 1971 s/o Mr. & Mrs. Garl Walls
WALLS, Chester L. 5 Jul 1909 21 Dec 1968 double stone with next
WALLS, Gertie M. 9 Oct 1900 8 Feb 1984  
PHIPPS, Bonnie S. 16 Oct 1956 17 Nov 1957  
WARREN, Treva B. Perkins 26 Jun 1910 15 May 1939 wife of Press Warren
WARREN, Sandra Leah 2 Sep 1948 6 Dec 1948  
WARREN, Kenneth Hal 1 Jul 1928 17 Mar 1979
YOUNG, Walter H. 25 Mar 1886 16 Mar 1967 [Walter Hardin, s/o Franklin Lecher & Martha A. Hardin Young]
YOUNG, Laura N. 9 Jul 1889 20 Apr 1977 [Annie Laura, d/o Ezra & Rebecca Jane Brewer Nelson; w/o Walter H. Young]
YOUNG, Bryant Odell 11 Oct 1907 30 Apr 1925 d/o W.H. & A.L. Young; [w/o James Young]
YOUNG, E. Hix 11 Jul 1930 18 Sep 1993 [Edwin Hix, s/o Walter & Laura Nelson Young]; double stone with next
YOUNG, Betty P. 27 Aug 1931 6 May 1993 wed 24 Sep 1948; [Betty Jean, d/o Steve & Jeston Wells Plummer]
YOUNG, Infant Feb 1936 Feb 1936 s/o Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Young
YOUNG, Joseph E. “Pat” 1 Jan 1952 21 May 2001 double stone with next
YOUNG, Tammy H. 25 Nov 1961   [nee Hill]
Row 16
WELLS, Otha G. 5 Jul 1925   double stone with next
WELLS, Mary E. 3 Jul 1930 7 Feb 2007  
WELLS, James B. “Pete” 24 Aug 1919 22 Nov 2006 PFC U.S. Army World War II
WELLS, James A. 20 Apr 1893 15 Jun 1964 double stone with next
WELLS, Grace E. 20 Sep 1892 6 May 1983 [Eva Grace, d/o Jacob & Catherine Perkins Wells]
SELLS, Billy C. 4 Apr 1942 2 Sep 1986 Sp4 U.S. Army
SELLS, Dewey 7 Feb 1913 1 Jul 1995 [George Dewey, s/o Mack & Phina Rutherford Sells]; double stone with next
SELLS, Georgia W. 25 Feb 1917 25 Mar 2006 [nee Wells]
SHUMATE, Tracy L. 24 Jan 1922 28 Apr 1949  
PERKINS, Bertha Juanita 14 Oct 1939 14 Oct 1939 d/o J.S. & Alma Perkins
PERKINS, Robert Lee 28 Feb 1868 28 Aug 1948 double stone with next
PERKINS, Delta Mink 15 Oct 1872 24 Jun 1933  
PERKINS, Joseph Swanson 3 Jul 1903 26 Mar 1983  
Row 17
CAMPBELL, Carl W. 15 Feb 1921 10 Dec 2000 Corp U.S. Army Air Force World War II; double stone with next
CAMPBELL, Lila R. 5 Apr 1928   married 30 Jun 1955
REEDY, Swan L. “Bob” 6 Dec 1929   double stone with next
REEDY, Doris Sebastian 18 Nov 1927 26 Mar 1998  
REEDY, Charlie S. [13 Oct] 1896 [18 Feb] 1961 Pvt U.S. Army World War I; double stone with next
REEDY, Ossie D. [16 Oct] 1895 [7 Apr] 1959  
MATNEY, David E. [3 Apr] 1902 [30 Aug] 1970 double stone with next; [David Earl]
MATNEY, Addie L. [28 Mar] 1900 [7 Jul] 1980 [d/o James Addison & Emma Senter Young]
YOUNG, Cora Sells 6 Feb 1877 4 Dec 1960  
YOUNG, James Albert 26 Apr 1908 14 Jun 1990 double stone with next
YOUNG, Edith Taylor 26 Jul 1914 5 Apr 1969  
SELLS, Arthur R. 16 May 1910 5 Jul 1958  
GUNNETT, Golda Sells 15 Sep 1911 16 Apr 1979 [Golda Hilda, d/o Bletcher & Kate Handy Pollard; w/o Harry M. Gunnett]
SELLS, Charlie 18 Dec 1869 15 Feb 1962 double stone with next
SELLS, Laura 21 May 1874 26 Dec 1935  
MINK, James C. [21 Feb] 1877 [9 Jun] 1948  
Row 18
SPENCER, Fred L. 1 Jul 1916 13 Oct 1983 TSgt U.S. Army World War II; [Fred Lee, s/o Isaac Greely & Maggie Sturgill Spencer]; double stone with next
SPENCER, Selma P. 23 Sep 1913 8 Sep 2001 [nee Perkins]
PERKINS, Fitzhugh L. 1886 1958 [s/o John A. Perkins]; double stone with next
PERKINS, Eula D. [22 Sep 1894 [23 May] 1977 [Eula Dare, d/o Columbus & Dora Parsons Sebastian]
BARKER, Ray Reed 26 Dec 1922 25 Jan 1999 Corp U.S. Army World War II; double stone with next
BARKER, Maxine Perkins 28 May 1922 28 Aug 2005  
REEDY, William Ralph, Jr. 15 Feb 1959 16 Feb 1959  
PARSONS, Jess J. 22 Oct 1895 6 Sep 1954 [s/o Steve & Emeline Ingram Parsons]; double stone with next
PARSONS, Mary W. 3 Jul 1897 12 Feb 1971 [nee Wells]
PARSONS, James S., Sgt. 21 Feb 1923 4 Dec 1950  
PARSONS, Robert H. 10 Mar 1926 3 May 1959  
Row 19
PLUMMER, Harold D. 10 Mar 1937 28 Sep 1991  
PLUMMER, Mildred Ione 17 Feb 1916 16 Feb 1957 [d/o F.L. & Eula Sebastian Perkins; w/o Max Plummer]
PLUMMER, Steve M. 14 Apr 1919 5 Oct 1974 S2 U.S. Navy World War II
PLUMMER, Alex Ted 1915 1982  
PLUMMER, Steve M. 4 Mar 1893 18 Jan 1956 [Steve Mack, s/o Wilson & Valerie Peak Plummer]; double stone with next
PLUMMER, Jeston W. 6 Apr 1895 28 Oct 1985  
PLUMMER, Billy Dean 27 Aug 1931 17 Jan 1951  
WELLS, George Con 2 Apr 1891 17 Mar 1960  
PARSONS, Bural Wells 6 Nov 1915 23 Feb 1997 SSgt U.S. Army World War II, Purple Heart; [s/o Jess J. & Mary Wells Parsons]; double stone with next
PARSONS, Audrey Perkins 12 Jun 1919 30 Jan 2003  
PARSONS, Larry S. 2 May 1946 20 June 2002 double stone with next
PARSONS, Irma J. 22 Jan 1938    
WELLS, Frank 19 Feb 1901 2 May 1943 double stone with next
WELLS, Anna Cox 19 Jan 1899 22 Feb 1980 [Cynthia Anna, d/o Newton & Minnie McMillan Cox]
McGRADY, Sue Wells 29 Aug 1935 23 Dec 1994 [d/o Frank & Anna Cox Wells]
HALL, Minnie Wells 29 Mar 1923 7 Sep 2005 [d/o Frank & Anna Cox Wells]
Row 20
MINK, Joe E. 20 Feb 1871 11 Jun 1951 double stone with next
MINK, Jincie W. 8 Apr 1882 17 Mar 1968  
PERKINS, Coleen Margaret 21 Sep 1923 23 Jul 2005  
PERKINS, Lewis K. 30 Dec 1929 7 Jan 1979 Pvt U.S. Army Korea; [Lewis Kenneth, s/o Lahr Bryan & Zenna Sebastian Perkins]
PERKINS, Lahr Bryan 18 Feb 1897 31 Mar 1981 [s/o John W. & Oletha Stamper Perkins]
PERKINS, Zenna Mae 17 Jan 1903 4 Jul 1948 [nee Sebastian; w/o Lahr Bryan Perkins]
Row 21
STOOTS, Carl L. 1926 1986 U.S. Navy World War II; double stone with next
reserved     footstone “NPS”
RADER, Helen Perkins 30 Dec 1927 12 Nov 1995 [Helen Aileen, d/o Bryan & Zenna Sebastian Perkins]
MILLER, Thomas Larry 2 Dec 1953 24 Sep 1988 [s/o Thomas Martin & Helen Perkins Miller]
RADER, William Darel 12 May 1927 13 Jan 1976 U.S. Army World War II
Known to be buried here, locations unknown
PERKINS, Granville Henderson [2 Sep 1826] 24 Aug 1827 [A child, mentioned in 1926 narrative as the 1st interment in this cemetery although there appears to be another who has that distinction.]
PERKINS, Temperence [5 Aug 1800] [29 Dec 1837] [No stone is listed on recent inventories of this cem. However, a 1926 narrative states she and Johannah Perkins have markers bearing 1837 and that Temperence was dumb and deaf.]
PERKINS, Johannah   [1837] [See notes for Temperence Perkins.]
CREECH, ____     [“Granny Screech” is known to be buried here. An unrepentant Loyalist who lived into the late 1830s, she is said to have lifted her cup “To the King!” until her dying day. In her old age she lived with some of her Perkins kin.]