HALEY BUSH CEMETERY, Shelby County, Texas was photographed May 24, 2016 by Bob Britnell and sister Sandra. This is an African-American cemetery located in the deep woods off FM3230, north of San Augustine. The county line between Shelby and San Augustine counties runs through the cemetery, with about 1/4 of the cemetery in San Augustine County and the rest in Shelby County. The access road is in Shelby County but the approach is from San Augustine County.

DIRECTIONS: From San Augustine, go north on FM3230 (N. Harrison St in town) seven miles to CR102, at the sign for Mt. Horeb Church, and turn right. Shortly after you pass the church the road crosses into Shelby County and becomes CR1097. At the sign for Haley Bush cemetery, turn right to the cemetery.

This is a Historic Texas Cemetery with a sign from the Texas Historical Commission. The land for the cemetery was donated by Haley Bush out of the 160 acre tract granted to her husband; Haley was born into slavery between 1861 & 1866 in Shelby County to George and Manda Blount. Several of those known to be buried here were born in slavery or were brought to the area as slaves.

We have digital pictures of each individual marker in this cemetery and will provide them to anyone who asks, at no charge, by e-mail or prints by regular mail.

The notation "(FHM)" indicates a small metal funeral home marker; there are many such temporary markers in this cemetery. Because these markers give very little information, I have done a bit of extra research on them, trying to add at least complete birth & death dates.

　

BARNES, Ester M. Jackson Polk (176); b. Mar 28, 1958; d. Oct 24, 2007

BIGGERS, Isom (91); b. Dec, 1837; d. Mar 27, 1930. Howard's Inf, CSA. (Note 1)

BIGGERS, Cherry (63); 1858 -- 1903. (second wife of Isom)

BIGGERS, Ellen (64); 1855 -- 1881. (first wife of Isom)

BIGGERS, James Bernard (89); b. Sep 5, 1905; d. Dec 27, 1973

BIGGERS, Cage Sr. (92); 1876 -- 1916

BIGGERS, George Lee (115); 1905 -- 1953

BIGGERS, Fannie (116); b. Mar 9, 1882; d. Aug 28, 1948

BIGGERS, John (117); b. Aug 25, 1873; d. Apr 26, 1941

BIGGERS, Johnie E. (118); b. Feb 10, 1904; d. Aug 13, 1936

BIGGERS, Willie (119); b. Nov 1, 1902; d. Sep 13, 1932

BIGGERS, Catherine (240); b. Oct 29, 1943; d. Jan 12, 2001

BIGGERS, Thedel "Cat" (241); b. Feb 6, 1910; d. Feb 13, 1999

BIGGERS, Faye T. (242); b. Feb 19, 1917; d. June 24, 1986

BIGGERS, Larry (244); b. Dec 2, 1951; d. Dec 18, 1970

BIGGERS, Andrew (246); 1908 -- 1980

BIGGERS, Johnnie (247); b. Nov 16, 1917; d. May 2, 2002

BLUFORD, Jerry (195); b. Oct 22, 1951; d. Mar 24, 2014

BLUFORD, Candi Leannette (196); b. Mar 10, 1979; d. July 17, 2010

BLUFORD, Willie (197); b. May 7, 1929; d. Mar 6, 1992

BLUFORD, Thelma (199); b. May 21, 1929; d. July 25, 2013

BLUFORD, William (200); b. July 30, 1925; d. Dec 13, 1996

BLUFORD, A.D. (237); b. Mar 4, 1937; d. June 16, 1993

BLUFORD, Arious (238); b. July 11, 1911; d. Jan 1, 2008. (Double with)

BLUFORD, Zerlena (238); b. May 12, 1912; d. Feb 21, 1993. Married Dec 24, 1935

BOOTY, Dorothy (96); 1936 -- 2015. (FHM)

BRATCHETT, Thelma J. (193); b. Aug 3, 1943; d. Feb 5, 2000

BRATCHETT, Cornelius (194); b. Oct 24, 1982; d. Oct 7, 2004. (FHM)

BUSH, MaHaley (46); b. Apr 10, 1866; d. Dec 5, 1954. "Gave and dedicated this land site for Bush Cemetery"

CARTWRIGHT, Rev Sidney J. (124, 125); 1899 -- 1952. (Double with)

CARTWRIGHT, Mary Alma (124); 1900 -- 1989

DADE, Marie (148); b. Sep 6, 1924; d. Sep 23, 2000

DAVIS, Krystal Nicole (155); b. June 24, 1984; d. Mar 12, 2003

DAVIS, Jacqueline R. (162); b. Oct 14, 1965; d. Jan 27, 2007

DAVIS, Annette Allen (167, 168); b. Jan 16, 1963; d. Nov 20, 2004

DAVIS, Willie Lewis (188); b. July 3, 1936; d. Sep 3, 1988

DAVIS, Extra (231); b. Feb 25, 1889; d. Feb 2, 1984

DAVIS, Robert Glenn (235); b. Sep 2, 1955; d. Apr 4, 2016

DAVIS, Paire Zee Tanner (255); b. May 23, 1950; d. Aug 21, 1993

EDWARDS, Rose M. (169); b. Sep 5, 1955; d. Feb 17, 2008

EDWARDS, Infant (225); 1975. Son of Rose M. Edwards

EVANS, Dale III "Lil Homie" (53); b. Mar 8, 1988; d. Nov 18, 2010. (Photo)

FIELDS, Mariah Jones (65); b. Jan 8, 1851; d. Apr 6, 1892

FIELDS, Frank L. (217); b. Sep 29, 1926; d. Mar 26, 1999. US Army WWII, Korea, Vietnam

GARRETT, LaMearl Matlock (48); b. Dec 5, 1932; d. Oct 13, 1975

GARRETT, Bemon O. (249); b. Jan 24, 1929; d. Nov 24, 1996

GASTON, Mary Biggers (239); b. Sep 21, 1940; d. Nov 27, 2010

GREEN, Lonie (30); Dec 30, 1935

GREEN, Kesharna (205); 1969 -- 1973

HARRIS, Ada Mae (206); b. June 29, 1909; d. Nov 3, 1976

HOLMAN, Merline Jackson (104); b. Nov 27, 1935; d. Apr 6, 1962.

HOLMAN, Sallie B. (144); b. Dec 20, 1896; d. Feb 6, 1968

HORTON, Annie B. Holman (146); b. Nov 10, 1896; d. Mar 4, 1934

HORTON, Annie Mae (147); b. Feb 1, 1920; d. June 28, 1986

JACKSON, Glenn (23); b. June 9, 1981; d. Feb 1, 2006

JACKSON, Patricia Nicole (24); b. Dec 5, 1982; d. Dec 6, 1982

JACKSON, Jack (25); b. June 10, 1919; d. Jan 22, 1980

JACKSON, Frank (26); b. June 22, 1912; d. Mar 20, 1977

JACKSON, Rush (27); b. 1883; d. Nov 11, 1962

JACKSON, Eva (28); In Loving Memory - (No Dates)

JACKSON, Annie Lane (29); b. Sep 22, 1900; d. Sep 1, 1956

JACKSON, Mae Willie (32); In Loving Memory. (No dates)

JACKSON, Catherine (33); 1840 -- 1919

JACKSON, Richard (34); 1835 -- 1905

JACKSON, Ed (35); b. Nov 17, 1872; d. 1925

JACKSON, Sam (36); b. Feb 6, 1873; d. Mar 3, 1943

JACKSON, Velma (37); b. Feb 6, 1930; d. May 1, 1952

JACKSON, Lonie Mae (38); 1923 (No other date)

JACKSON, Janie Mae (39); Mar 29, 1928 (No other date)

JACKSON, Alice Genell (40); b. Feb 9, 1969; d. May 22, 1969

JACKSON, Marvin (42); b. Jan 12, 1961; d. June 14, 1970

JACKSON, Mamie Jones (101); b. Aug 9, 1917; d. Feb 27, 1936

JACKSON, Rush Jr. (164); b. Dec 15, 1931; d. Feb 5, 2005

JACKSON, Lee Ella (171); b. June 19, 1923; d. June 28, 2007

JACKSON, Sarah Francis Bluford (177); b. Sep 5, 1929; d. Aug 11, 1997

JACKSON, Richard D. (178); b. May 20, 1931; d. Mar 28, 2009

JACKSON, Mamie (181); b. June 20, 1909; d. June 18, 2002. Wife of Samuel Jackson

JACKSON, Willie W. (182); b. May 2, 1937; d. Feb 24, 2003

JACKSON, Richard Jr. (189); b. Mar 22, 1955; d. Mar 15, 1984

JAMES, Kattie W. (62); b. Oct 25, 1890; d. June 29, 1949

JENKINS, Rev. Melvin C. (183); b. Mar 23, 1932; d. Aug 16, 2012. (Double with)

JENKINS, Sally L. (184); b. Feb 22, 1933; d. May 22, 2011. Married May 7, 1956

JOHNSON, Helen Louise Ligon (54); b. Mar 15, 1963; d. June 18, 2013

JONES, Joy (16); b. Feb 13, 1977; d. Aug 1, 1978

JONES, Louise Ligon. (56); b. 1939; d. Nov 17, 1989. (date of death same as her mother, see Maggie Ligon)

JONES, Johnnie Lee (70); b. May 11, 1919; d. Sep 26, 1943. PFC HQ Co, 25 Inf, 93 Div, WWII

JONES, Thomas (71); b. June 16, 1880; d. Apr 18, 1943

JONES, Elzy (Elzie) (72); b. Oct 10, 1908; d.  Mar 8, 1958

JONES, Francis (Holman) (73); b. Oct 8, 1884; d. Jan 8, 1966

JONES, Rosie Lee (85); 1905 -- 1925

JONES, Maybelle (86); 1888 -- 1913

JONES, Ella B. (87); 1900 -- 1937

JONES, Davis (88); 1888 -- 1938

JONES, Sam (100); Feb, 1924

JONES, Ann (102); Oct 10, 1938

JONES, Bertha Mae (121); b. May 2, 1944; d. Aug 22, 1945

JONES, Lenon (122); b. July 29, 1953; d. July 29, 1953

JONES, Clyde (123); b. Mar 21, 1911; d. Apr 1, 1994. (Double with)

JONES, Josie B. (123); b. May 29, 1916; d. Jan 20, 2006. Married Sep 12, 1936

JONES, Maurice (159); b. Oct 3, 1936; d. Mar 28, 2009. SP4 US Army, Vietnam

JONES, Ira "Dutch" (172); b. Jan 20, 1911; d. Dec 13, 1997. (Original Poem on headstone)

JONES, Frank (191); 1901 -- 1980

JONES, Maggie (192); b. Jan 20, 1913; d. July 20, 2010

JONES, Tom Junior (224); 1907 -- 1973. Pvt US Army, WWII

JONES, Sanford (227); 1904 -- 1978. Pvt, US Army, WWII

JONES, Nora M. (228); b. Apr 7, 1904; d. Apr 6, 1982

JONES, John Henry (229); b. May 14, 1902; d. Jan 19, 1995

JONES, Richard Arther (234); b. June 18, 1925; d. Oct 13, 1991

JONES, Arthur (236); b. June 30, 1900; d. Feb 24, 1994. (Double with)

JONES, Nettie B. (236); b. Nov 7, 1902; d. Apr 24, 1992

JONES, Hugh (253); b. July 16, 1926; d. Feb 9, 1995

KELLEY, Humphrey Jr. (106); b. Sep 3, 1927; d. Jan 13, 1969. PFC, US Army, WWII

KELLEY, Humphrey (107); b. Dec 21, 1888; d. Oct 7, 1967. (Double with)

KELLEY, Annie Lee (107); b. June 16, 1894; d. June 25, 1984

KELLEY, Pierce (108); b. Jan 1, 1884; d. Sep 23, 1976

KELLEY, Jim (109); 1902 -- 1936

KELLEY, Berta (112); b. July 27, 1876; d. Sep 7, 1951

KELLEY, Ruby Davis (136); b. Jan 23, 1920; d. July 21, 2001. (FHM)

KELLEY, Hulon (137); b. Oct 10, 1920; d. June 9, 2012

KELLEY, Hollis Redmon (245); 1905 -- 1978

KELLEY, Alfred (250); b. Apr 25, 1919; d. Nov 23, 2005

KING, Gloria Jean (186); 1949 -- 2014

KING, Roosevelt (187); b. Sep 17, 1919; d. Jan 10, 1997. PFC, US Army, WWII

LANE, Murry Thomas "M.T." (10); b. Jan 30, 1928; d. Sep 21, 1993

LANE, JHugh (11); b. Apr 28, 1925; d. Aug 28, 1982. SM1, US Navy WWII. (Note 3)

LANE, Lillie Lee (13); b. Aug 23, 1886; d. Apr 16, 1946

LANE, Charlie (14); 1912 -- 1930

LANE, Lizzie (15); 1919 -- 1926

LIGON, Jimmy Earl (55); b. Mar 12, 1964; d. Mar 12, 1991

LIGON, Maggie B. Fields (56); b. Sep 16, 1902; d. Nov 17, 1989. (Double with daughter, see Louise Jones)

LIGON, Columbus (66); 1937 -- 1962

LIGON, Frank (67); 1934 -- 1970

LIGON, Cleophus (68); 1926 -- 1976

LIGON, Sam R. (69); 1906 -- 1983. (husband of Maggie)

LIGGON, Jane (90); b. Nov 22, 1877; d. May 11, 1947. (Name spelled "Liggon" on headstone)

LOVELL, Mollie (78); 1882 -- 1965

LUCAS, Lula Mae (130); 1916 -- 2000. (FHM)

MARSHALL, Frank (126); 1902 --1991. PFC, US Army, WWII

MARSHALL, Florance Kelly (127); 1914 -- 2016. (FHM)

MARSHALL, Ruby Lee (128); b. Oct 12, 1950; d. May 28, 2003

MARSHALL, Frank Deshon (129); b. Oct 11, 1977; d. Sep 10, 1979

MARSHALL, Cornelius (133); b. May 4, 1968; d. Jan 16, 2012. (FHM)

MARSHALL, Gene (135); b. Nov 12, 1951; d. Nov 1, 2006. (FHM)

MATLOCK, Wanda Jean (19); b. May 11, 1945; d. Apr 7, 2010

MATLOCK, Jake (20); b. Oct 28, 1907; d. Mar 20, 1995. (Note 4) (Double with)

MATLOCK, Sarah (20); b. Dec 30, 1904; d. Sep 18, 2005. (Note 4)

MATLOCK, Rufus (47); b. Apr 15, 1897; d. Sep 17, 1956. (Double with)

MATLOCK, Rosie (47); b. Aug 24, 1905; d. June 13, 1974

MATLOCK, Lee James (49); b. Feb 22, 1935; d. Oct 14, 1963

MATLOCK, Alice Joy (51); b. Dec 7, 1934; d. Nov 30, 1989

MATLOCK, Willie (52); b. Dec 11, 1921; d. Sep 1, 2007. (FHM)

MATLOCK, Johnny Ray (156); b. Apr 30, 1947; d. June 21, 2009

MATLOCK, George B. (157, 158); b. Dec 15, 1923; d. Oct 16, 2011. Sgt US Army, WWII

MILES, Lillie Mae (21, 22); b. June 25, 1900; d. Sep 14, 1941.

MILES, P. Reed (21); b. Mar 3, 1898; d. Jan 20, 1982

MILES, Reed (21, 149); b. Mar 15, 1860; d. Apr 16, 1940

MOORE, Roselle (61); b. Mar 22, 1893; d. June 10, 1973

MOORE, Delmas Leon (203, 204); b. Jan 3, 1925; d. Sep 23, 2009. CK2 US Navy WWII. (Note 9) (Double with)

MOORE, Birdie Mae Netherly (203); b. Apr 30, 1928; d. Sep 16, 1995. (See note 8)

MOORE, L.C. (223); 1928 -- 1982. Sgt, US Army, Korea

MOORE, Dorothy Mae (249); b. Jan 15, 1948; d. July 2, 2015

NETHERLY, L. C. (114); b. Apr 6, 1923; d. June 26, 1941. Pvt, Co. A, 66 Inf Trng BN, US Army. (Active duty-Note 2)

NETHERLY, Elroy (97); b. Jan 1, 1933; d. Apr 13, 2003

NETHERLY, Loice James (98, 99); b. Oct 4, 1920; d. Nov 29, 1999. TEC5, US Army, WWII. (Double with)

NETHERLY, Charlie May (98); b. Aug 4, 1924; d. May 20, 2005. married Jan 28, 1946

NETHERLY, Reuben (110); b. Apr 27, 1895; d. Apr 9, 1975. Pvt US Army

NETHERLY, Howard R. (111); 1942 -- 1962

NETHERLY, Jessie Mae (113); b. Mar 21, 1902; d. July 3, 1986

PATTON, Kelvin Theodore (143); b. June 25, 1954; d. Jan 4, 1991. (FHM)

PENA, Minnie Pearl King (190); b. Aug 7, 1941; d. Dec 17, 1982

PRICE, Eura (218); b. July 3, 1908; d. May 13, 1980

REDMON, Cleveland B. "C.B." (103); 1933 -- 2016. (FHM)

REDMON, Charles Edward (120); b. Sep 1, 1943; d. Oct 31, 1971. SP5, US Army, Vietnam

REDMON, Gene Alton (251); b. Oct 2, 1940; d. July 6, 1995

REDMON, Viola (252); b. Apr 29, 1904; d. July 29, 1992

ROACH, Billy R. (211, 212); b. Nov 6, 1937; d. Apr 16, 2001. MSgt, US Air Force

ROBERTS, Ellis (31); In Loving Memory - 1902

ROBERTSON, Betty Kay (132); b. May 14, 1955; d. Sep 9, 2003

ROBINSON, Ida Stansberry (138); b. June 27, 1909; d. Feb 27, 2004. (FHM)

SHEPHERD, Amanda Biggers (93); b. 1880; d. July, 1938

SKINNER, Wesley Ryan (254); b. Feb 11, 1988; d. Mar 3, 1988

SMITH, Jermaine (41); b. July 22, 1974; d.July 22, 1974

STANSBERRY, H.B. (139); b. May 8, 1932; d. July 13, 2003. (FHM)

STANSBERRY, Buck (141); b. May 10, 1873; d. Nov 13, 1964. (FHM)

STANSBERRY, Mathania Jones (142); b. Nov 8, 1894; d. Aug 19, 1988 in Gary, Lake Co. IN. (FHM)

STONE, Janie Biggers (94); b. Apr 16, 1913; d. July 29, 1961

TANNER, Willie Mae (105); b. Nov 10, 1914; d. Feb 10, 1984

TANNER, Melinda Ro'Sha (131); b. Dec 6, 1970; d. Oct 3, 1992

TANNER, James Patrick "Hammer" (152); b. Sep 16, 1967;d. Sep 23, 2012

TANNER, Jeffery J. (153); b. Nov 10, 1967; d. Aug 21, 1993

TAYLOR, Debra A. (160); b. Oct 9, 1956; d. Mar 23, 2006

TEAL, Hortince Jackson (180); b. Jan 31, 1928; d. Apr 18, 2008

TEEL, Vernon "Tweet" (161); b. Oct 1, 1935; d. Nov 2, 2012. (FHM)

UNDERWOOD, Maika Florence Shaneka Marshall (134); b. July 21, 1975; d. Sep22, 2010

WADE, Anna L. (07, 08); 1895 -- 1954. (Double with)

WADE, Ned (07, 09); 1875 -- 1940

WADE, Catherine (57); 1851 -- 1915. (Double with)

WADE, John (57); 1846 -- 1916

WADE, Frank (58); b. July 25, 1885; d. Jan 23, 1923

WADE, Bertha (59); 1886 -- 1983. (Double with)

WADE, Frank (59); 1885 -- 1923

WADE, Rev Zion (74); b. July 13, 1903; d. June 1, 2001. (FHM)

WADE, Exa Velma (75, 76); b. Dec 15, 1944; d. Aug 5, 1966. (FHM)

WADE, Booker T. (77); b. Dec 31, 1914; d. Aug 18, 1956. AS, USNR, WWII. (Note 5)

WADE, Plemon A. (79); b. Nov 2, 1900; d. July 21, 1970. Pvt, US Army, WWII

WADE, Janie V. (80); b. Dec 10, 1871; d. Mar 22, 1949. (Note 6)

WADE, Rufus D. (81); b. Aug 16, 1904; d. Mar 22, 1932

WADE, Kirksey A. (83); b. Nov 18, 1898; d. July 12, 1907

WADE, Tennessee (84); b. Nov 10, 1872; d. Dec 30, 1930

WADE, Otis (174); b. July 22, 1921; d. Jan 8, 2014. (FHM)

WADE, Boyd (175); b. Oct 9, 1909; d. Feb 12, 1990

WADE, Orvis T. (209); b. Mar 26, 1934; d. Oct 20, 2003. SKCM,US Navy, Korea & Vietnam. (Note 10)

WADE, Richard Earl (210); b. Mar 2, 1941; d. Mar 9, 2008. SP4, US Army

WADE, Johnny Allen (213, 214); b. Jan 8, 1953; d. Apr 19, 1995: Victim of the Oklahoma City Bombing

WADE, Johnnie (215); 1919 -- 1981. Sgt, US Army, WWII

WADE, Olivia (216); b. Dec 14, 1921; d. Mar 27, 2006

WADE, Melton Davis (219); b. Nov 18, 1943; d. Feb 4, 1997

WADE, Zelma Lee (220); b. Oct 13, 1915; d. Aug 3, 1991

WADE, Pierce Davis (221); b. Mar 16, 1914; d. Aug 26, 1974

WALKER, Shirley Mae (185); b. Aug 15, 1949; d. Jan 28, 2004

WHITEHEAD, Maggie L. (243); b. Nov 1, 1937; d. Aug 14, 1972

WYNN, R.A. (207); b. Aug 12, 1935; d. June 30, 1986. US Army, Korea

WYNN, Darrell Columbus (208); b. Oct 3, 1965; d. Nov 22, 1992

　

NOTE 1: Isom Biggers was born in Shelby County, Texas. He married (1) Ellen Jones, and (2) Cherry Wade. He enlisted in the Confederate Infantry in September, 1864, serving until June, 1865. He was awarded a pension for his service.

NOTE 2: Some records show his name as "L C", initials only, while others show him as "Lee C." While in training at Camp Wolters, Private Netherly saved the life of a fellow soldier who fell into a pond and couldn't swim. L C jumped into the water and pulled the other man to safety, but fell back into the water and drowned. He was posthumously awarded the Soldier's medal for his action. (The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. It is the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation.)

NOTE 3: SM1- Signalman, Petty Officer 1st Class. Signalmen performed visual communications duties aboard Navy ships by use of semaphore flags, flashing lights, yardarm flashers, and flaghoists. In 2003 the SM rating was discontinued because of decreased need for visual signalling; the remaining duties of the SM rating were absorbed into the Quartermaster (QM) rating. JHugh died of Acute Heart Failure, apparently while incarcerated in Huntsville by the Tx. Dept. of Corrections.

NOTE 4: Headstone shows Jake and Sarah both born in 1905, but official records show them as above.

NOTE 5: AS- Until 1948, this was the abbreviation for "Apprentice Seaman", or "Seaman, second class", Enlisted paygrade E-2. That paygrade is now called "Seaman Apprentice". USNR: US Naval Reserves.

NOTE 6: Her headstone shows date of birth as Dec 10, 1871; her original death certificate shows dob as Mar 29, 1871, and the corrected death certificate shows dob as Dec 22, 1896. Census reports verify year of birth as 1871, not 1896.

NOTE 7: Merline's name is spelled "Mearl Lee" on her headstone, "Merlean" on the FHM, and "Merline" on her death certificate. The death certificate also has her last name as "Cook", not Holman, and her date of birth as Nov 12, not 27.

NOTE 8: Some online family records show her as "Birdie Mae Black-Netherly-Moore-Fields-Long", and some Social Security records show her as "Black, Netherly, Moore" at various times. Other records show her date of birth as April 26, 1928. Her family was enumerated twice in the 1940 census for Texas - once in Shelby County and once in San Augustine County, a month apart. The county line between the two counties run through this area, so apparently the enumerators overlapped their areas. Birdie, listed as "Berta" both times, was shown as 11 years old on one, and 14 on the other. Her mother gave the information once, her father the other time. I can't verify that she is actually buried here in this cemetery; she died in Dallas, Texas.

NOTE 9: CK2- Cook, Petty Officer Second Class

NOTE 10: SKCM- Storekeeper, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy. The rating of "storekeeper", abbreviated "SK", was renamed "Logistics Specialist" (LS) to better reflect the duties and responsibilities of this enlisted rating. Those serving in this specialty are responsible for the ordering and maintaining stock of everything from pencils to food to hammers to screws to bullets to missiles, in the navy. Master Chief is the highest enlisted paygrade (E-9) in the Navy.