Oklahoma Cemetery Preservation - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Sacred Heart Cem.

DorothySwanson369 — 2012-10-24 00:21:30Z

Thank you so very much. Dorothy

Re: Sacred Heart Cem.

gnphllps — 2012-10-22 23:57:28Z

He has a memorial on findagrave. I requested a photo and it was fulfilled. There's also an obit, so double good.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42...

Gene

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

Donnie_Poe — 2011-04-19 15:44:57Z

Just curious if there is an update to this.

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

kaletatorti — 2010-11-07 16:43:21Z

I also have family at this place, Lonnie Cox, I went there in the 1970's, crawled through the trees, hung in the barbed wire fence but found just a few tombstones! I will send the too my friend who works for the Choctow chief.

Kaleta Torti

Old heastone repair help needed

judybell011561 — 2010-10-24 03:55:00Z

I have three family members buried in Maysville Oklahoma that have been there since 1877. The headstones are broken and on the ground. Does anyone know where I can get them repaired and or preserved? Or tell me how.

Sacred Heart Cem.

grace2te — 2010-10-24 00:10:26Z

Would appreciate the cem. photo of a Thomas Steve who d. Oct. 23, 1975 and buried at Sacred heart Cem. in Alva, Ok. Thank you so very much. Dorothy

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

lizro55 — 2009-08-09 18:58:25Z

I have family also buried in Cox's Chapel North of Durant.My maternal grandparents, maternal great-grandparents, aunts and uncles and great uncles and aunts as well. The famiy name is Pate. My mother passed away in 1994 and it had been several years before that since we visited the site. Before that my uncle Clarence Covey used to keep it up when he lived down the road, but he moved to California in the 70's and I don't know anyone that did much with it after that. I know that family pitched together and paid for a chain link fence to surround their lots to protect it from the cows. But the weeks were so grown up and covered so much that it was hard to eve see the gravesites. There were also snakes and mentioned before, ticks and chiggers abound. I would say that it would take an insecticide and herbicide being sprayed and given a chance to act before much could be done. The road looks like a private road but I understand that the Chapel area has to be left accessible. You think you are driving into someones back yard when you enter. I don't know if they actually own that property or not, but they are required to fence it off from their livestock thus the animals have free rein. It would take someone organizing those families that are concerned and coming up with a financing plan to salvage all the graves that have been destroyed. Contact me and I might be interested. I will probably try and go out there this fall when the snakes and ticks hibernate.

Re: Egypt Cemetery, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

gfrance_1 — 2009-03-09 00:15:57Z

Thank you so much for your reply.

Unfortunately, I still have not found out where my Great Grandfather, George McKinzie is buried as well as his brother, John H. McKinzie.

I know that their parents are:
James Henry McKinzie & Susan unknown.
We don't know what happened to her. The last child was born
in 1866 (Oscar) and we wonder if she died in childbirth.
Susan was on the 1960 Washington County, Arkansas
with husband, James Henry McKinzie and family.
They had 12 children, including George & John.
On the 1870 Washington Co., Ark, Susan is missing and he is married to the 2nd wife.

We know
James Henry McKinzie 2nd married Eliza Townsend. They had one child, Alice McKinzie.
James Henry mcKinzie 3rd married Susannah (Wolfe) Givens 10/1/1871 in Cooke Co TX.
This Susannah was previously married to Isaac Givens.
If she is the same as the first wife, we don't know about it. They are on the 1880 Montague Co TX Census.

James Henry McKinzie died in 1882 and is buried in the Hardy Cemetery in Texas.

On the 1900 Chickasaw Indian Nation Census - list John H. McKinzie living with his brother, William McKinzie.
John H. was the 2nd husband of my great grandmother, Nancy Jane Moseley-after George died.
Nancy & John H. were separated and divorced.
Nancy and children are living in another household in this same census.

I will peruse the Pontotoc Co., OK cemeteries.
Thanks for your help.
Marilyn

Re: Egypt Cemetery, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

Winnie_Yandell — 2009-03-07 16:52:36Z

Marilyn, I don't know if you've found your McKinzie brothers' graves since your post; I've checked ancestry.com and on the Aldrich-Hix Family Tree, John H. McKinzie is shown bn Mar. 1847 in GA; son of James Henry and Sussana Givens McKinzie; mar. 1) Mary Trammel in 1869; was in Washington Co. AR 1860 census; mar. 2) Nancy Jane Mosely in 1896; and, in 1900 Fed. Census, was living in Township 5, Chickasha Nation...(Pontotoc County is in Chickasaw Nation);
So he could be buried around Ada. No death date shown on the FT; I did not find either John or George on Findagrave search, but they still could be in another cemetery listing in the area...go to Pontotoc Co. Cemeteries...many of the cemeteries have been canvassed and have a listing of names.
I'm no kin but know people who have lived in and around Ada, OK. Good luck.

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

dannareese — 2008-09-11 00:26:54Z

Thank you so much. This has been such a sad situation for to long. Hopefully they'll make things happen. Tell her that Terry D Cole who is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer is the person that I drove 3 hours and spoke with in person. This was after the first letter I wrote to Chief Pyle. Terry told me that they had surveyed the cemetery and were going to contact the owner of the land and get her ok to go in and fence and clean up, but then I never heard from him again...until I wrote Chief Pyle another letter. This time one of Terry's workers emailed me and I still have that email saved telling me that they were working on it, but that's been over 2 years ago. Terry's number at his office is 580-924-8280. The day I met with him he had called me and we spoke about the cemetery and made a date to meet during spring break of '06 and set a time at his office. I drove down there which is 3 hours for me and he had either not written our appointment down or simply forgot because he was leaving to go to Mississippi I believe for some thing. I just happened to catch him. I would have been furious if I had of driven that far and him not be there. From the results that I got out of the meeting I might as well have not spoken to him. I just want the cemetery cleaned up and fenced to keep the cows out. Everyone one of us deserves to have a decent burial site where our family and friends can come and pay their respects. It's just so sad to me. Thanks so much for your help with this. Let me know if I can help. Like I said I will be more than happy to come and help with the clean up.
Danna Mullens Reese

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

annieedwards1947 — 2008-09-10 19:46:50Z

Where it says "now here in the good old USA" is supposed to be "not here in the good old USA", guess that will teach me to preview it before I post it.

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

annieedwards1947 — 2008-09-10 19:41:29Z

Danna, I called my friend in Colbert OK and she was shocked at this story and how its been handled or, should I say mis-handled. She will contact Marion Downs and Chief Pyle. She said she always thought so highly of the Indians because they honored the dead just as they honored the living. So much for that misconception. She said she is also going to call channel 12 news and get them to talk to Marion and the chief also. She said she could hardly believe that this was happening right down the road from her. She said it sounded like something out of a third world country, now here in good old USA. She said it is a shame so many cementerys have just been left to decay without care. She said one just across the border in Denison Grayson TX is also in shambles with tombstones turned over and broken, it is such a shame. Oakwood, I believe it is called. We will see if she or the news media can offer any hope by getting someones attention that has the power to do something. Knowing her she will keep on until someone listens. Will let you know, we will keep in touch. She also said she is kin to a lot of EARNHARTS and SMITHS that are buried around Durant, Calera, Cartright and Colbert and she said some of her own relatives could possibly be right out there with the cows running across their graves. She said it makes her shudder to think about it. Right under her doorstep.

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

@@d_reese45@hotmail.com — 2008-09-10 12:06:38Z

No, this hasn't been taken care of. I went to the Choctaw Nation to seek their help over 2 years ago. There are some Choctaw burial houses in the cemetery that are being destroyed by the cattle and neglect. I gave them the name of the owner and they sent a crew to survey and gave me hope that they would fence and clean it up, but that hasn't happened. I wrote the Choctaw Chief two letters and each time he pushed me off on someone else. A lot talk but no help. I don't live in the area so I was searching for a way to get the cemetery fenced away from the cows and this seemed a good idea at the time. I know the person who owns the land to the west of the cemetery. She is willing to donate enough land to make a road and an area for a pavilion or some kind of resting area for those that want to visit their loved ones. I would be more than happy to come down and help clean up the cemetery if a work day or weekend can be scheduled. Marion Downs works at the Bryan County Heritage Center in Calera on Monday's. She is the one that is willing to donate land to the west. She is also a good contact person since she lives just down the road. If your friend can help with this please let me know.
Thanks so much, Danna Mullens Reese

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

annieedwards1947 — 2008-09-10 03:46:16Z

I just found this old message and am wondering if this was taken care of ? I have a friend who lives eleven miles south of Durant OK just three miles from the Texas border. I know she would try to help in any way she could.

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

donnajimb1 — 2008-01-04 17:28:39Z

Thanks, I will research this. Donna

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

dannareese — 2007-12-31 17:53:28Z

Donna,
I don't know if the land is for sale. Highland is the main cemetary for Durant. Cox's Chapel is a small cemetary north of Durant. There are people still being buried there, but there families have fenced their graves. The graves I'm worried about are from the 1800's.
Danna

Re: Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

donnajimb1 — 2007-12-31 16:22:18Z

Is the land for sale, as I have family buried there?
Is this the main cemetary in Durant?, or a side
cemetary as I haven't lived in Durant in many years?
Just saw this post and did not google anything--thought
you would be on-line and could reply---waiting.
Donna Jim (Groce, Wright, Smith, Robinson, Gattis)

Cox's Chapel, Durant, Bryan County, OK

dannareese — 2007-12-31 01:42:31Z

This cemetery is located on private property. The lady that owns it has leased it to a person who is running cows over the graves. I've spoken to the Choctaw Nation about this cemetery since there are several Choctaw burial houses that are in danger of being destroyed, but they haven't been any help. I've written Chief Pyle twice, called several times, emailed, and visited the nation and spoke with Terry who is in charge of cemetery clean up. Marion Downs owns land that joins the cemetery on the west side and she has offered to donate enough land to build an area where those who come to visit can have a nice place to set and rest. You can not go in there until it freezes due to the ticks. It covers about 5 acres and is in need of help in the most urgent way. If something is not done these graves are going to be destroyed. If someone has an idea of what can be done please contact me. I don't live there but I'm willing to do what ever I can to get this cemetery fenced and cleaned up. I have family buried there and it breaks my heart to see the sad shape this place has become. Danna Mullens Reese -d_reese45@hotmail.com

Re: Egypt Cemetery, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

MarilynFrance13 — 2007-12-11 00:45:44Z

I wished I knew for sure if my great grandfather was buried in this cemetery. The rumor we have heard is that George McKinzie/McKenzie and his brother, John H. McKinzie/McKenzie are buried in Ada, Oklahoma. George died sometime around 1895 or 1896. John may have died about 1904. We have heard that their youngest brother, Oscar McKinzie buried both of them in Ada.
Are there other cemeteries close by Ada other than Egypt Cemetery?
Do you or any one have access to transcriptions of cemeteries in and around Ada?

Oscar died in 1946 and buried in SAYRE-DOXEY CEMETERY east of Sayre, OK.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Oak Ridge Cemetery, Garvin County/Murray County line, Davis, Oklahoma

2006-02-19 19:33:38Z

Oak Ridge is a Pioneer Cemetery. The cemetery has not had a burial since 1960. Most of the graves are over 50+years old, and some of the graves are before statehood. I am one of a few individuals concerned for the abandoned Pioneer cemetery. We need to fence the perimeter to protect the sacred burial grounds from the livestock, (the livestock are knocking down and trampling gravestones). We are want to reach some of the decedants of the families interred at Oak Ridge. We need your help, both physically and financially. We have only a very small amount of private funds.

Preservation isn't something smart people do when they can afford it--it's something they know that they can't afford not to do. It's really about, Hanging onto what's important. Saving our Oklahoma's Treasures.

Please, we need your assistance to help us with fencing and maintenance costs to our Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Are there any family members willing to contribute to this very important cause. We can't do this all by ourselves.

Re: McCoy Cemetery-Bixby, OK: MIA

2006-01-05 21:46:52Z

James is my father

McCoy Cemetery-Bixby, OK: MIA

2004-12-28 10:20:29Z

I am the Tulsa County coordinator for a group called Saving Graves. I am looking for a missing cemetery in or around Bixby named McCoy cemetery. To my knowledge, the last time it was walked was in 1973 by a James Typner. I do know that it is located somewhere near the intersection of 191st St S and 129th E Ave. I spoke to the daughter of the owner of the land this past May, and there are a total of 3 cemeteries on the land: to the west of her house is a family cemetery started in 2000, to the north is a cemetery that is unnamed, but holds a teacher and her students, according to the owner of the land, and NE of the house somewhere in the property is McCoy Cemetery. Both of the latter cemeteries need restoration, but the unnamed one is a bit hard to get to, as there is a bull on the pasture with a herd of cattle. The part of the property that is said to hold McCoy Cemetery is wooded, which makes it hard to search.

My question is if anyone knows where in this area I can find this cemetery, or how to get ahold of James Typner so he can show me where it is.

Also, if you have any info on any cemetery that is not listed at my website, feel free to email me with information. the website is http://savinggraves.digitalnekromancy.com

Re: Egypt Cemetery, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

AZPat996 — 2004-04-08 04:43:22Z

Lisa, Thank you for this information. My Grandparents, George and Kansas Hinkle are buried there. I am sending you an private e-mail to request his address.

Egypt Cemetery, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

LisaWegner — 2002-10-07 02:59:01Z

This cemetery, located near Ada Oklahoma, is a rather old burial ground that has been forgotten in many ways. It is not always the easiest to find, and sadly is in need of a great deal of repairs. Because, I have several people who are dear to me buried there, but no longer live in the area, I have been searching in vain for the name of the person who has taken on the huge task of its upkeep.

Finally, I had the opportunity to speak with this incredible gentleman, who, at the age of 76, is doing his best to keep the grass cut and whatever else he can do. He does this mostly as a labor of love because he too has family buried there. He let me know that there is an account set up at a local bank in Ada for the cemetery but few families are left to help.

If there is anyone else out there, like me, who has family buried in this cemetery and would like this gentlemans name and address, I would be happy to give it to you.

Maybe we could even organize a "clean up day" to take care of some major problems (like the broken fence). My email address is lisa_renea@yahoo.com

Thank you!
Lisa

Thanks,
Lisa