Volume 4, Number 4 - Summer 1971
Loftis Cemetery Records
From Ozark County Times, By Jean Mellon Loftis
Nestled in the heart of the hills of Ozark county lies the Loftis Cemetery, just north and east over the hill from the Willhoit store, and about 10 miles north of Gainesville.
The cemetery lies, along what used to be the main traveled road from Willhoit to the Brixey area, which passed through what is now the Caney Mountain Wildlife refuge.
The story goes that the cemetery dates from 1887, the year an infant burial was made at this place. A family by the name of Swearengin, was traveling through this part of Ozark county in a covered wagon when their baby became sick "of the fever" and died. They buried the child near their camp in what is now the Loftis Cemetery.
About a year later, James Marion and Josephine Summerville Loftis’ infant daughter, Mina M., died and they buried her close by the Swearengin baby. At that time, Logan H. Loftis set this spot aside as a cemetery, which was then named for him.
Through the years it has become the custom for the Loftis family and friends to
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serve pot luck at noon on Memorial Day on the cemetery grounds, with everyone being invited. Family members come from far and near to participate. This year approximately 100 persons were present during the day.
Several years ago money was taken from the cemetery fund and markers were bought for all graves. All were identified but eight, on which "unknown" markers were placed. There are 147 graves in the cemetery at the present time. Members of the volunteer cemetery committee are Everett Beasley, Olin Loft is and R. E. Terry.
The markers in the cemetery are: Clara Dorman, June 26, 1895 - Jan. 28, 1942; William Dorman, Jan. 31, 1883 -April 18, 1942; William F. Hickman, Aug. 15, 1912 - Feb. 7, 1956; Fuller Twins, April 18, 1957 - April 19, 1957; Frank W. Loftis, Sept. 10, 1884 - March 3, 1939; James W. Harley, July 25, 1887 - Nov. 20, 1961; Ozina Harley. Sept. 6, 1884 - March 22, 1965;
Encil G. Harley, March 10, 1889 - July 18, 1930; Nellie Pare, June 7, 1893 - Feb. 13, 1931; Mina M. Loftis, Sept. 1887 - Aug. 1888; J. M. Loftis, March 5, 1860 - Mary 19, 1931; Josephine Loftis, Aug. 24, 1869 - Dec. 24, 1930; James L. Loftis, Feb. 2. 1889 - April 8, 1950; Preston Mayberry. 1862-1932; Elcaney Mayberry, 1862-1944;
Perletha Loftis, Sept. 11, 1852 - -Nov. 26, 1921; Malinda Loftis, May 8, 1830 - Jan. 26. 1917; L. H. Loftis, March 1, 1829 - Sept. 23. 1896; Arthur W. Loftis, 1958-1959; Loyd W. Loftis, June 11, 1900 - Dec. 24, 1900; Vila Loftis, June 18, 1888 - March 12, 1908; Willos Loftis, Oct. 3, 1904 - Oct. 23. 1904; W. E. Harley, June 28, 1850 - March 24, 1930; Sampson Loftis, Jan. 25. 1877 - Dec. 7, 1907; William J. Loftis, Feb. 18, 1845 - July 15, 1914;
Claud Harley, Feb. 15 1912 - Feb. 15, 1912; Fred Loftis, 1888 - 1966; Martha Alma Loftis. 1918 - 1970. Melvis E. Naugle, Dec. 2,1895 - March 1,1960; Earnest Naugle, Sept. 10. 1916 - Oct. 9, 1916; Ida Mae Naugle, 1875 - 1955; Thomas E. Naugle, 1875 - 1965; William R. Naugle. Jan. 12, 1962 - Jan. 13, 1962; Jimmy Whisnant, Oct. 14, 1959 - Feb. 6. 1966; Ralph Loftis, 1895 - 1966; Donald H. Terry, March 26. 1933 - May 30, 1950; Jube Martin, Sept. 3, 1882 - April 16, 1966; Claud Martin, July 4, 1910 - April 18. 1936;
Anna Avers, Aug. 16, 1824 - April 27, 1896; Barcus Avers, 1886 - 1900; Hessie E. Roof, May 8. 1883 - Aug. 1. 1896; Elmer Rickel. April 28, 1891 - July 31, 1897; Nettie Rickel, June 19, 1900 - April 25, 1901; Dorothy E. High. Aug. 6. 1911 - March 31, 1954; Cora A. High, 1879 - 1967; William B. High, 1879 - 1966; Lena High, Aug. 25, 1920 - Sept. 7, 1948; John I. High, July 24, 1861 - Feb. 5, 1929; Dollie Hancock, 1865 - 1897;
Adaline Harley, Oct. 12, 1848 - June 26, 1900; Emmie Duckworth, April 15, 1882 - July 3, 1962; Austus M. Duckworth, Aug. 7. 1887 - ; W. R. Beasley, Aug. 10, 1867 - Dec. 2, 1944; Frankie L. Beasley, Aug. 15, 1875 - April 11, 1899; Lloyd B. Loftis, 1903 - 1965; Lee High, Dec. 29, 1880 - Jan. 12, 1953; Dovy High. Aug. 17, 1877 - Dec. 2, 1967; Genevia High, April 26, 1909 - May 12, 1909;
Susie Smith. Dec. 26, 1862 - June 8, 1919; G. P. Smith, April 20, 1835 - Dec. 11, 1921; John Gullet, Nov. 22, 1872 - June 13, 1941; Dora Gullet, Feb. 6, 1883 - July 22, 1961; Adelie Gentry, Oct. 15, 1875 - Oct. 15, 1907; James Loftis, Nov. 25 1937 - June 25, 1910; Elijah P. Bohannan. Feb. 22, 1853 - Aug. 15, 1909; Elizabeth A. Gullet, April 25, 1885 - Jan. 4, 1912; Will Gullet, 1878 - 1950; I. E. Cantrell, 1859 - ; Mary I. Cantrell, 1860 - 1937; McKinley A. Hudson, 1901 - July 4, 1964; J. L. Hudson, Oct. 1, 1865 - Feb. 28, 1919; Lou A. Hudson, 1890 - Feb. 11, 1967;
Virgie Cantrell, May 16, 1864 - March 29, 1909; Joy Lyons, Feb. 19, 1915 - Sept. 15, 1936; Mary A. Strong, Aug. 15, 1871 - April 28, 1947; James R. Power, Nov. 1, 1832 - April 3, 1917; Mary E. Power, 1845 - March 1, 1932; Iva Davis, Dec. 25 - 1895 - July 7, 1971.
Graves with names only, or dates unreadable are Noah Loftis, B. W. Loftis, Harlin Perigin, Luna, Elmer High, Ray High, Velma High, John I. High, Davis. Kitter, Webb, Martin Beasley, Eva Beasley, Daniel Harley, Leslie Harley, Cora High, Francis Rice, Lige Tribbit, Albert Harley, Ollie Harley, Addie Hampton, Cena Price,
John Price, Ben Price, Benton Campbell, Logan Waller, Clyde Loftis, J. T. Loftis, Ruth Allen, A. J. Dunnegan, Will Raimes, Della Strong, Pearl Howard, Charles R. Jones, Daves, Peter Wesley, Scott Power, and Peter Fullett.
Babies graves marked just by the family name only are Swearengin, Wid Sweet (2), John I. High, W. R. Beasley (3), Mayfield, Silas Beasley (2), Ike Malone, Ollie Harley (2), Elmer High, B. W. Loftis (2), W. M. Gullet, Elijah P. Bohannan, Peter Gullet, Carl MacCallister and Jack Hall.
This is the fifth compilation of county cemetery records published in the Ozark County Times. The first, Souder Cemetery, was published Sept. 10, 1964; the second, Sallee Cemetery, June 16, 1966; the third, Center Point. Aug. 31, 1967; the fourth, Lilly Ridge, Dec. 4, 1969.
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