Laws Chapel Cemetery

Cover photo shows Chris Caver's crews clearing land beside the cemetery. The large trees were becoming so big that they would have caused a lot of damage if one had fallen. Also clearing at the back to make more sites for burials.

Three older grave markers stand on row 30 plot 24,25, & 26. These are William Hughey(broken, top half is missing) who died in 1921, his daughter Arvel Pauline age 5, died in 1922, and his son, Lake Charles age 16, in 1927. Lake’s death certificate said he died of inflammatory rheumatism. These three also have newer markers placed at a later date in a row with the rest of the family. W.H. shares a larger double marker with his 2nd wife, Carra. The others are flat rectangle markers. There were 6 children in this second family and all but one daughter are buried here. The 1920 Cass Co. Census showed they lived in the area close to Law's Chapel.

The rain held off and the flags were put out at the cemetery. Thanks to Cara Helfrick, Michelle Harris, Mark Stewart and Ethan Stewart for helping. We do this to honor our veterans.

Memorial Day is next Monday, May 25th. We will be placing flags on 175 veteran gravesites on Friday morning at 9:30, weather permitting. Any and all help is appreciated.

Another one of those babies that were buried and the family had to move somewhere else. Loxie May Thompson was born in 1902. We don’t know her exact birthday only the year 124 years ago. 4 years old at death. Didn’t have a headstone until 2025. Only a FHM and a wire enclosure marked her gravesite. No relatives can be found.

Jonnie Harralson was only 8 years old when he died in 1906. He was probably the typical 8 year old boy playing outdoors as an adult did yard work. Jonnie jumped into a pile of leaves and broke his neck, dying from his injuries. He left heartbroken parents Simeon and Callie Ballard Harralson. He is buried near his grandparents, W.B. and Louise Gilley Ballard

In the very back right hand corner of the cemetery is a badly broken monument. It is the stone for Katie Martin Graham. Now, Katie Graham has no relatives in this cemetery. A newspaper clipping of her death says she is buried at Watson Cemetery in Bivins. When checking that claim, she has a headstone in Watson. Where is Katie really buried and why 2 stones in 2 different cemeteries with the same information?

Robert ”Bob” Thomas, age 28, was killed by a T & P locomotive shortly after the 1910 census. The census shows that he lived in a boarding house in Longview Gregg Co, with other railroad workers. Although Find a Grave does not show a wife, the census said he had a wife, Emma, and 6 mo old son named Robert. It also gave his occupation as fireman on the locomotive. There is no further information given anywhere. He has relatives here in Law’s Chapel Cemetery.

W.A. Griffin. No first name, just initials. This grave is marked with a hand engraved sandstone marker that has stood for 131 years, It is not all readable as the weather has obliterated some of the words. A tiny 6 mo. old born in Jan and died in June doesn’t appear to have any relatives in this cemetery. His parents buried him in Law’s Chapel and perhaps had to move somewhere else. There is no clue as to parents’ names. A new stone that will last for many years was set beside the old one in July of 2025.