NIGTON MEMORIAL PARK Cemetery - our first foray into neighboring Trinity County, Texas - is located beside Ligon Chapel CME Church on A. Mark Road, just off FM2262. The Cemetery was visited and photographed on October 5 and 6, 2012. The cemetery is named for the Nigton Community, founded in 1873 by former slaves, one of whom suggested the name for the town. At one time, the community had a post office, several churches, a wagonmaker, and other businesses; the population (now perhaps 80) topped out at 500 residents.. The Post Office closed in 1923.
DIRECTIONS: From John Redditt Drive (Loop 287) on the west side of Lufkin, take SR94 (Ted Trout Drive/W. Frank Ave.) West 13 miles to FM2262; go left on 2262, 2.8 miles to the intersection with FM2501, in the Nigton Community. Go left at this stop sign just a few yards; the church and cemetery are on the left.
This cemetery presented some particularly challenging obstacles. Tall weeds and wiry grass blanketed the entire cemetery, many markers had become sunken into the ground, (requiring significant excavating) and very large fire-ant mounds were up against and covering many headstones. We returned the second day with more appropriate digging and trimming tools - some headstones were buried so deeply that only the top edge showed above ground. We had to excavate some to a foot or more in depth. Since we suspect that many more markers are buried below ground, we will try to return at a later date to thoroughly probe the ground for them.
Numbers in parentheses following names is an internal reference to facilitate locating individual pictures.
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is a historically black denomination associated with Methodism. The formation of this church grew out of the move from slavery to freedom. Many slaves had adopted the beliefs of the (white) Methodist Episcopal Church, South and wanted to have control of their own church; to ordain their own bishops and ministers without the necessity of them being officially endorsed or appointed by the white-dominated body. the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America was organized on December 16, 1870 , with the full support of their white counterparts in the former Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The name was changed to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the 1950's.
Church doctrine and beliefs are based on the Articles of Religion, an official doctrinal statement of American Methodism. The Articles were abridged from the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism, hence the "Episcopal" connection.
ALLEN, Mrs. Nettie, (192); b. Sep 17, 1900; d. Nov 12, 1970
(Between Nettie & james is an almost unreadable concrete marker, "Father and Son", no names)
ALLEN, James, (194); b. May 19, 1900; d. Dec 23, 1964
ANDERSON, Fredonia M., (195); b. Feb 14, 1907; d. Apr 6, 1987. (Double with)
ANDERSON, James O., (195); b. 10-25-18____ (date of death was buried, now unreadable)
ARDS, Gail Meredith, (166); b. May 12, 1943; d. Dec 6, 1991
BAKER, Willie Lee, Jr., (218); b. May 19, 1961; d. Mar 27, 2006
BRAY, Lula Faye Mark, (009); b. Sep 12, 1942; d. Oct 27, 2007
BREED, Golden, (078); 1944 -- 2003. (FHM)
BUGGS, Luther, (162); b. Apr 2, 1897; d. Jan 11, 1969. PVT, US Army, WWI
BURKES, Rev. J.L., (021); 1920 -- 1965.
BURKS, Jessie L. (022); b. Mar 9, 1900; d. July 14, 1968
BURKS, Escar, (023); b. Sep 12, 1921; d. July 22, 1942. PFC, 394, QM BN WWII
BURKS, William, (132); 1886 -- 1967
BURKS, Allie, (152); b. June 3, 1892; d. Feb 24, 1958
BURKS, James, (210); b. Jan 16, 1865; d. July 27, 1905. (Double with)
BURKS, Etter, (210); b. Feb 22, 1870; d. Feb 21, 1913
BYRD, Margie L., (087); b. Mar 4, 1922; d. Apr 8, 2010
CANADA, Frederick Matt, (017); b. May 9, 1966; d. Nov 17, 2007
CANADA, Margie R., (129); b. May 4, 1916; d. Apr 15, 1958
CARTER, Lee, (027); b. Jan 16, 1915; d. Mar 10, 1970. PVT, Btry B, 349 Arty, WWII
CARTER, Charles A., (025); 1912 -- 1976
CARTER, Clarice, (029); (see "Coleman")
CARTER, Nancy Lee, (074); (see "Stewart)
CARTER, Jefferson C., (203); 1857 -- 1936
CARTER, Sarah A., (204); 1867 -- 1932
CARTER, Doc. M., (206); b. Oct 30, 1885; d. Feb 7, 1919. Son of J.C. & Sarah Carter
CARTER, A. Clyde, (207); 1931 (no other date)
CARTER, Rev Clarence H., (208); 1890 -- 1939
CHAPMAN, Rosie Etta, (126); b. Aug 22, 1920; d. May 14, 1999
CLARK, Levora James; 1878 -- 1954
CLARK, Minnie Mark, (028); b. Dec 19, 1896; d. Oct 14, 1986
CLEMONS, Nettie Mae Dixon, (187); b. Feb 16, 1938; d. Nov 9, 2007
C0LEMAN, Clarice Carter, (029); b. Sep 9, 1927; d. Aug 2, 1996
COLEMAN, Willie, (031); b. Aug 24, 1922; d. Jan 29, 2012. PFC, US Army, WWII
COLLINS, Ernestine, (170); 1898 -- 1967. (Double with)
COLLINS, Willis, (170); 1898 -- 1962
CREDIT, Mary, (184); 1937 -- 2004. (FHM)
CREDIT, Leon, (185); 1930 -- 2008. (FHM)
CUFFIE, Florence, (138); b. June 24, 1892; d. Apr 4, 1985
DAVIS, Henry, (179); b. Oct 6, 1883; d. Aug 31, 1951
DAVIS, James M., (180); b. Dec 19, 1938; d. Dec 24, 1970
DAVIS, Josephine, (181); b. Mar 15, 1884; d. June 26, 1965
DEASON, Equilla, (178); b. Sep 18, 1917; d. Feb 12, 1985
DEASON, Elbert, (015); b. Aug 2, 1910; d. Aug 18, 1986. PFC, US Army, WWII
DEASON, Pearl, (016); b. June 14, 1923; d. Dec 23, 2006. "Aunt Bit"
DEASON, Fairbanks, (020); b. Sep 9, 1914; d. Dec 12, 1981
DEASON, Lena, (049); b. Apr 13, 1883; d. Oct 7, 1971
DEASON, Wilson, (122); 1886 -- 1975
DEASON, Sarah, (125); (nothing else legible on this hand-lettered, buried concrete marker)
DEASON, Seab, (130); b. Feb 8, 1888; d. May 21, 1957. PVT, 365 FLD RMT SQ, QMC, WWI
DEASON, Mary, (136, 153); 1849 -- 1957
DEASON, Richard, (175); b. Mar 17, 1915; d. Dec 20, 1973
DEASON, Sylvester, (176); b. Oct 29, 1938; d. July 26, 1975
DEASON, Batie, (177); b. Mar 11, 1914; d. June 25, 1995
DENNING, Leon D., Sr., (006); b. July 26, 1935; d. Aug 30, 1992
DILLARD, Zerlena J., (116); b. Feb 23, 1939; d. June 4, 2006
DIXON, Eddie Lee, (160); b. Apr 8, 1927; d. Dec 17, 1967
DIXON, Wyzella K., (007); b. July31, 1903; d. Jan 26, 1997 (in Dallas: SSDI) (Double with)
DIXON, Miles H., (007); b. May 11, 1902; d. Oct 10, 1991
DIXON, Nelson H., (076); b. Dec 31, 1895; d. Sep 7, 1947. Chaplain (1LT) US Army, WWI & WWII
DIXON, Carrie K. Ligon, (123); b. Dec 15, 1901; d. Mar 7, 2003
DIXON, Joe Brown, (124); b. June 8, 1924; d. May 17, 2006
DIXON, Hilton, (142); b. Mar 26, 1923; d. June 2, 1994. Pvt, US Army, WWII
DIX0N, Nelson, (143); b. Dec 15, 1927; d. Jan 14, 1993
DIXON, Pearlie J., (144); b. Mar 17, 1929; d. Sep 16, 1989
DIXON, Aaron, (146); b. June 4, 1900, d. Sep 26, 1974
DIXON, Amanda, (147); 1861 -- 1959
DIXON, Nettie Mae, 187); (see "Clemons")
DRAYTON, Daisy Mae, (081); b. Sep 14, 1921; d. Mar 10, 1989
EVANS, Jessie, (139); 1885 -- 1980. PVT, US Army, WWII
FERNANDEZ, H.A., (019); 1901 -- 1977
GILLIS, Troy L., (073); b. July 18, 1938; d. May 22, 1984. Zeta Phi Beta
GOLDMAN, Freeman, (174); b. Mar 6, 1895; d. July 18, 1968
GOODEN, Hester Ligon, (161); 1910 -- 2006
GREEN, Lillie May, (205); died Sep 26, 1973
GRIFFIN, Margrett, (077); Died Aug 17, 1941
GRIFFIN, Ninety, (167); b. Apr 19, 1908; d. Dec 17, 1980. (Double with)
GRIFFIN, Mary Madear, (167); b. June 26, 1922; d. Sel 27, 2004. Married Dec 22, 1940
GRIFFIN, Willie, (168); b. Jan 28, 1900; d. Nov 27, 1961
GRIFFIN, Robert, (169); 1878 -- 1953. (Double with)
GRIFFIN, Savannah, (169); 1874 -- 1962
GRIFFIN, Rapheal, (173); 1904 -- 1975
HAMILTON, Jacolby DeScott, (012); b. Mar 21, 1988; d. Sep 23, 1988
HAMILTON, Scott Brady, (013); b. June 17, 1966; d. July 8, 1990
HICKS, Evelyn, (105); b. May 29, 1929; d. July 5, 2005
HICKS, William Dan, (128); b. Nov 13, 1918; d. Nov 7, 1994
HICKS, Rodney, (135); 1972 -- 2011. (FHM)
HICKS, B.L., (191); b. Mar 2, 1904; d. Apr 30, 1941
HINES, Mary Ella, (182); b. Oct 6, 1926; d. Sep 14, 1982
HOLMES, Barbara Leotha, (189); b. Feb 14, 1950; d. Feb 4, 1977
JACKSON, Emma, (188); 1893 -- 1960
JENKINS, Carl, (068); 1932 -- 2010. (FHM)
JENKINS, Sammie, (069); 1935 -- 2004. (FHM)
JOHNSON, George W., (032); b. Feb 22, 1940; d. Apr 23, 2004. (Photo)
JOHNSON, Jerry Mackel, (033); b. Sep 25, 1958; d. June 18, 1987
JOHNSON, Darlene, (034); b. June 3, 1957; d. Mar 23, 1992
JOHNSON, Nettie Mae, (035); b. Aug 20, 1924; d. July 4, 2012
JOHNSON, Chester B., (036); b. Jan 6, 1917; d. Oct 31, 1995
JOHNSON, Lillie Mae, (040, 41); b. Dec 25, 1915; d. June 14, 1986. (Photo)
JOHNSON, Cassie, (055); (see "Mark")
JOHNSON, Elsie H., (096); b. Apr 12, 1893; d. Aug 19, 1979
JOHNSON, Wayne W. Sr, (097); 1879 -- 1969
JOHNSON, Herbert H., M.D., (098); b. Jan 15, 1921; d. Jan 2, 1954
JONES, Jannie M., (037); b. Sep 13, 1946; d. May 7, 2007
JONES, Latroya, (072); 1988 -- 2002
JONES, Jewel S., (083, 084); 1924 -- 1984. Mother. (Triple with Ricco & Annie Pearl)
JONES, Ricco S., (083, 085); 1960 -- 1981. Grandson
JONES, Annie Pearl, (083, 086); 1944 -- 1968. Daughter
LACY, Mary Etta, (133); b. July 13, 1918; d. June 1, 1999. (Double with)
LACY, Manuel, (133); b. Apr 19, 1916; d. Oct 13, 1989
LEE, Angela Adrienna, (110); b. July 27, 1972; d. Jan 12, 2000
LEE, Johnson C., (111); 1936 -- 2004. (FHM)
LEE, L. Curley, (196); b. Apr 28, 1910; d. Apr 1, 1975. (Photo)
LEE, Bessie Johnson, (197); b. June 20, 1920; d. July 8, 1997
LEE, Lillie Bell, (198); (see "Menefee")
LEE, Johnie "Lightning", (200); b. June 3, 1914; d. June 18, 1992
LEE, Nathaniel, (201); b. Apr 11, 1918; d. Aug 21, 2000
LEE, James Curley, (212, 219); b. Jan 10, 1938; d. May 7, 1986
LEE, Pamela Lynette, (214); b. Jan 29, 1964; d. Sep 1, 2000
LEE, Margie, (215); b. Mar 2, 1950; d. Nov 4, 1992
LEE, Elroy, Sr., (216); b. Jan 26, 1943; d. Aug 15, 2010
LEVERETT, Gladys, (082); b. July 13, 1923; d. Aug 11, 1961
LEWIS, David Lee, (039); b. July 13, 1950; d. Nov 9, 1980
LEWIS, Anna Holmes, (186); b. Nov 25, 1920; d. Oct 8, 2000
LEWIS, Fannie (McClendon), (220); b. Mar 11, 1979; d. Apr 7, 1917. Wife of Cupe Lewis
LIGION, Sina, (163); b. May 3, 1885; d. Oct 1, 1973. (Mary Odom LIGON, but misspelled on headstone)
LIGON, Jim, (090); b. Aug 7, 1877; d. Oct 10, 1944
LIGON, Dave, (024); b. Apr 4, 1887; d. Jan 23, 1963. PVT CO D, 341 Labor BN, QMC, WWI
LIGON, Henry W., (042); 1947 -- 2002. (FHM)
LIGON, Henry, (043); b. Dec 21, 1914; d. Sep 5, 1995
LIGON, Melvina, (044); b. Dec 19, 1892; d. Nov 13, 1985
LIGON, Rev. William E., (056); 1907 -- 1962
LIGON, Canda C., (089); Died Feb, 1880; Aged 52 Years
LIGON, Curley, (165); 1914 -- 1964
LIGON, Rev C.C., (209); b. Nov 24, 1860; d. Mar 22, 1941
LIGON, Nancy, (211); b. May 12, 1862; d. Aug 19, 1932
MARK, Harriet; b. Dec 7, 1872; d. Oct, 1877
MARK, Lucy, (050); b. July 15, 1885; d. Feb 20, 1941
MARK, Lula Faye, (009); (see "Bray")
MARK, Audrey Faye, (010); b. Jan 8, 1936; d. July 1, 1993
MARK, Willie, (011); b. Oct 1, 1904; d. Feb 12, 1988. (Double with)
MARK, Dannie (011); b. Jan 16, 1919; d. May 15, 2008
MARK, Aromatee, Jr., (014); b. June 19, 1965; d. Sep 8, 2001. (Photo)
MARK, April J., (038); b. Apr 23, 1978; d. Feb 26, 1981
MARK, Sterling Ross, (045); b. July 20, 1964; d. June 9, 1965. "Scooter"
MARK, John Wesley, (051); b. Dec 23, 1875; d. June 23, 1968
MARK, Trevion, (053); 2004 -- 2011. (FHM)
MARK, Robert, Jr., (054); b. Apr 30, 1934; d. May 13, 2003. "Pee Wee"
MARK, Cassie Johnson, (055); b. Apr 15, 1917; d. July 18, 2000
MARK, Canasta, (057); (see "Perkins")
MARK, Milton, (058); b. Feb 10, 1907; d. Mar 30, 1983. "Uncle Red"
MARK, Clearence E., (062); b. May 6, 1933; d. May 28, 1997. SP3, US Army, Korea. (Note 1)
MARK, Jim Sr., (065); b. July 9, 1912; d. May 17, 1970. (Triple with Inez & Billy)
MARK, Inez B., (065); b. Apr 18, 1915; d. Sep 5, 2004 (SSDI)
MARK, Billy, (065); b. Dec 9, 1934; d. Apr 25, 1955
MARK, Austin, (088); b. Jan 16, 1903; d. Feb 15, 1996
MARK, John, (091); 1952 -- 2004. (FHM)
MARK, Harriet, (092); b. Dec 7, 1872; d. Oct, 1877
MARK, Sam, (103); b. June 12, 1918; d. Jul 25, 1975. PFC, US Army
MARK, Allie "Cherry", (107); b. May 27, 1911; d. Oct 28, 1993
MARK, Telicki Renea, (112); b. Oct 4, 1961; d. Sep 18, 1998
MARK, Essie Lee, (113); b. Apr 13, 1935; d. Mar 20, 2006
MARK, Curtis A., (114); b. Mar 31, 1916; d. Jun 11, 1984. TEC4, US Army, WWII
MARK, Lillian A., (115); b. Nov 1, 1908; d. June 1, 1982
MARK, Lura Lee Siglar, (117); b. Mar 19, 1915; d. Mar 27, 1989
MARK, Kenneth Ray, (118); b. Dec 24, 1946; d. Mar 17, 1988
MARK, Marlin E., (119); b. Mar 12, 1910; d. May 30, 1972. (Photo)
MARK, Vernon McCall, (120); b. Sep 16, 1905; d. May 30, 1972
MARK, Franklin D., (121); b. June 6, 1933; d. June 29, 1971. SP3, US Army Res, Korea
MARK, Lottie K. Carr, (149); b. Sep 21, 1909; d. June 23, 2008
MARK, Booker T., (150); b. Jan 24, 1907; d. June 2, 1967
MARK, Rev. Jim Bob, (155); b. Feb 7, 1909; d. Nov 12, 1993
MARK, Dr. J.J., Jr., (156); b. Sep 24, 1905; d. Feb 20, 1971
MARK, J.J., (157); b. Sep 6, 1876; d. Oct 2, 1953
MARK, Pricilla Lacy, (158); b. Mar 11, 1886; d. Jan 9, 1985
MARKS, Luters, (071); b. Sep 4, 1904; d. Aug 29, 2007. (Double with)
MARKS, Clemmie, (071); b. Apr 17, 1914; d. Nov 25, 2003
MASSIE, John Turner, (008); 1921 - 1980. PFC, US Army, WWII
MASSIE, Isaac, (079); b. Aug 7, 1908; d. Aug 31, 1964
MASSIE, Eugene, (080); b. Feb 18, 1910; d. Dec 25, 1948. PFC, 369 INF, 93 INF DIV, WWII
MASSIE, Thornton, (093); born about 1812; Died Nov 9, 1896 (best guess: corroded stone)
McCLENDON, Jewel, (134); 1912 -- 2006. (FHM)
McCOY, Maggie Carter, (100); b. Jan 29, 1907; d. Mar 2, 2001. (Double with)
McCOY, Dilly Andrew, (101); b. Feb 16, 1904; d. Jan 31, 1987
MENEFEE, Lillie Bell Lee, (198); b. Apr 27, 1941; d. Mar 9, 2000. (Photo)
MILLER, Kei Anthony J., (064); b. Nov 16, 1984; d. Nov 30, 2006. (Photo)
MILLER, Ellis O., (066); b. Feb 16, 1925; d. Feb 13, 1989. S1C, US Navy, WWII. (Note 2)
MILLER, Carl, (067); 1955 -- 1994. (FHM)
MILLER, Rosie, (131); b. Apr 27, 1883; d. Jan 23, 1965
MITCHELL, Annie P., (148); b. Jan 11, 1948; d. Apr 2, 2008
MOON, Ivory, (046); April 11, 1935. Corporal, 537 Engr Service BN
PENSON, Pearlene, (213); b. Nov 30, 1953; d. Jan 1, 2012. (FHM)
PERKINS, Canasta Mark, (057); b. Mar 6, 1936; d. Feb 14, 2004. (Photo)
PERRY, Nathaniel L., (202); b. Aug 3, 1959; d. June 8, 2005.
PUNCH, Bishop M., (141); b. Aug 6, 1963; d. Feb 20, 1995
RILEY, Fannie D., (145); 1897 -- 1982
RISBY, Elsie E., (108); 1940 -- 2006. (FHM)
ROGERS, Sean Bradley, (140); b. Mar 28, 1991; d. Mar 28, 1991
ROSS, Charles, (047); b. Nov 20, 1916; d. Oct 10, 2000
ROSS, Louise M., (049); b. July 29, 1913; d. Feb 7, 1999
ROSS, Janie, (109); b. Dec 22, 1923; d. June 11, 2002
RYANS, Richard, (018); b. Aug 22, 1863; d. Sep 21, 1953. (Double with)
RYANS, Mollie, (018); b. Sep 22, 1883; d. Oct 10, 1957
SCOTT, Daisy D., (030); b. Mar 16, 1906; d. June 22, 1997
SIGLAR, Lettie, (101); b. June 12, 1887; d. Aug 17, 1970
SIGLAR, Luvert, (104); b. Mar 26, 1925; d. Aug 21, 1998. TEC5, US Army, WWII (spelled "Lubert" on FHM)
SIMMONS, Amos, (164); b. Mar 25, 1905; d. Feb 10, 1985. (Double with)
SIMMONS, Lillie, (164); b. May 26, 1906; d. Mar 5, 1993
SPENCER, Calvin, (004); b. Dec 8, 1909; d. May 16, 1983 (Double with)
SPENCER, Ida Mae, (004); b. Mar 11, 1919; d. Jan 16, 2000
SPENCER, Lonell, (005); b. June 8, 1944; d. Jan 18, 1987
SPENCER, Willie, (099); b. Nov 18, 1913; d. Feb 2, 1989. (Double with)
SPENCER, Margaret, (099); b. Sep 27, 1919; d. Aug 22, 2005 (SSDI). Married Jan 25, 1936
SPENCER, Eddie L., (137); b. Jan 19, 1919; d. Aug 27, 1994. (Double with)
SPENCER, Roger "Joe", (137); b. July 11, 1921; d. July 27, 1999
SPENCER, Dock, (154); b. July 25, 1925; d. Sep 12, 1987
STANTON, John "Pop", (059); b. Sep 10, 1953; d. June 27, 2007
STEWART, Nancy Lee Carter, (074); b. Jan 25, 1901; d. Mar 16, 1987
STEWART, Dr. Claude Milton, (075); 1896 -- 1944
TAYLOR, Mary Willie, (041); b. June 26, 1897; d. Oct 11, 1994
THOMPSON, Troy, (199); b. May 27, 1914; d. Jan 11, 1983. SC3, US Navy, WWII. (Note 3)
TOPPS, Wren, (190); b. Jan 21, 1922; d. Feb 3, 1975
WASHINGTON, Brady, (026); 1902 -- 1972. (Double with)
WASHINGTON, Clydie, (026); 1908 -- 1973
WILLIAMS, Ethel, (061); 1927 -- 2008. )FHM)
Note 1: SP3. The US Army has a very confusing history concerning the "Specialist"
position. In the Korean War era, a Specialist Third Class (SP3) was paid at the E-4
rate, same as a Corporal. However, Specialists were not NCOs and had no authority
over anyone outside their own specialty field. This system underwent many changes
over the years; the Army now has only one "Specialist" rank, and is the normal
promotion from PFC (E-3) for most soldiers. A select few PFCs are promoted to
Corporal rather than SPC, although the paygrade is the same; Corporal (Cpl) is
considered an NCO, SPCs are not.
Note 2: S1C - Seaman, First Class. Paygrade E-3. Today's equivalent; same paygrade is
called just "Seaman".
Note 3: SC3 - Ship's Cook, Third Class. In 1948 this abbreviation was changed to CS
(Commissaryman) and is now called "Culinary Specialist" (CS). Many Navy Cooks now
attend prestigious civilian Chef Schools; the quality of food served aboard Navy ships is
a primary morale factor.
Print 